Matcha’s Chinese Origins: The Story Behind the Green Tea

Matcha and Japan seem inseparable. But what if the story behind your favourite green drink actually begins somewhere else? Long before matcha became a symbol of Japanese tea culture, the tradition of powdered tea was already taking shape in China.

It All Began in China

More than a thousand years ago, tea was already an important part of everyday life in China. People developed different ways of preparing it, including pressing processed tea leaves into compact cakes that were easier to store and transport.

When they wanted to make tea, they ground the cakes into a fine powder and mixed it with hot water.

Later, during the Song dynasty, powdered tea became even more popular. People whisked it with hot water to create a frothy drink. Sound familiar? This preparation method shares a striking similarity with how matcha is made today.

From China to Japan

The connection between Chinese powdered tea and Japanese matcha developed through centuries of cultural exchange. Japanese Buddhist monks travelled to China to study Buddhism and encountered Chinese tea traditions along the way. One of them was Eisai, a monk who returned to Japan in 1191 and later wrote about tea and its benefits. His writings helped promote tea drinking in Japan, particularly among Buddhist monks.

Over time, Japan developed its own tea culture. Tea became especially important in Buddhist monasteries before gaining popularity among the wider population. Gradually, the traditions that had travelled from China evolved into something distinctly Japanese

How Matcha Became What We Know Today

Over time, Japanese tea growers developed new ways to grow tea plants, including covering them before harvest. This technique helps produce leaves with the vibrant green colour and rich flavour that make modern matcha so recognisable.

Tea preparation also became an important part of Japanese culture. By the 16th century, the Japanese tea ceremony had developed into a carefully practised ritual, turning the simple act of preparing tea into an experience centred on focus, hospitality and appreciation.

Meanwhile, other ways of preparing tea became more common in China, while Japan continued refining its powdered-tea tradition. Over centuries, these developments helped shape matcha into the drink enjoyed around the world today.

Matcha Today

Today, matcha is enjoyed all over the world, often without much thought about where it came from. While Japan made matcha what it is today, its story started much earlier in China. So the next time someone mentions matcha, you’ll know there’s a little more to its history than you might have thought.

Explore matcha further

Discover what matcha is and how it differs from regular tea.

Sources and further reading

• Five College Center for East Asian Studies — History of Tea
• Marukyu Koyamaen — History of Tea in Japan