From Japan To You: How Our Love For Matcha Became A Movement

Our love for matcha began many years ago- long before it exploded into what it is today, selling out in mainstream cafes, becoming one of the world's greatest trends to date. At the time, matcha was already deeply rooted in Japanese tradition. But only recently, between the years of 2023-2024, has matcha truly exploded into a global wellness trend, moving from a niche cultural staple, to a must-have in many of your lives. 

So what really makes matcha so special and how did our love for it become a movement? Unlike regular teas, matcha is carefully cultivated, shade-grown and stone-ground into the vibrant green powder we all know and love. This one of a kind process preserved the leaf’s nutrients, making it rich in antioxidants, amino acids and natural energy- boosting compounds. In today's world, not just for us here in Barbados, matcha is not just seen as a delicious beverage, it's a lifestyle, a ritual and for many, an essential part of their daily routine. 

We founded The Matcha Lab in Barbados in 2021, bringing our love and vision to life to now become the movement it is today. A lack of premium matcha in the country sparked our interest and the Matcha Lab was born. We procured only the finest Japanese matcha and brought it back to the little island of Barbados. Follower by follower, we sparked a curiosity and are now leading and living the lifestyle we have always envisioned, spreading the matcha love and growing a community which values quality, wellness, and the ritual of matcha. 

For us, matcha was never really a trend, but a lifestyle which we couldn't live without.  It's a culture. Matcha represents mindfulness, balance and wellness-focused living- all qualities which inspired our brand. We wanted to be able to bring the authenticity of first harvest matcha- the finest, carefully hand picked in Japan- to Barbados. Our wellness community grows daily and people are turning to the trending alternative of matcha from coffee and energy drinks. The Matcha Lab was founded to connect these dots: honoring the Japanese tradition we learnt to love, while allowing our local community to have access to high-quality matcha. 

From lattes to face masks and just about everything in between, the Japanese tea powder is creeping up in anything and everything. Women’s tennis star Serena Williams, among some of the biggest Celebrity names, have praised the tea powder, ensuring its reputation as a functional need and even a “cool-girl wellness aesthetic that Instagram eats up”. It has been said that as its popularity begins to soar, its global value is expected to climb from £1.8 billion just this year to nearly £2.2 billion by 2028. 

From Japan to You, our love for matcha continues to grow day by day. At The Matcha Lab, we're here to share not just what you may know as the Global trend, but what we know as a movement rooted in health, community and culture. 

So whether you're new to matcha and want to try it, or already a devoted Matcha Lab fan, we invite you to join us in this journey–one matcha at a time!