The RISE of Ceremonial Matcha
July 22, 2025
Written by Ellen Effy Su
Ceremonial matcha is a giant aspect of our drinking culture. For thousands of years, we have sipped on hot green tea and tea lattes.
Matcha originated from steaming green tea leaves, then pressing them into bricks, in China during the Tang (618 to 907 AD) Dynasty and the Song Dynasty (960 to 1279 CE).
The novel powdered green tea was transported into Japan in 1191. Japan popularized the modern era matcha, transforming this drinkable luxury into a global phenomenon of the ultimate wellness drink. Creativity and careful crafting of the perfect tea blends led to matcha ice cream, matcha mochi dessert, matcha shaved ice, and matcha is primarily associated with Japan due to these original ideas.
A Japanese Buddhist monk named Eisai carried tea seeds and transferred the knowledge of Zen Buddhist methods of preparing powdered green tea.
Today, ceremonial matcha is a buzzing trend. Visualized by popular cafés popping up across lower and upper Manhattan, matcha is surging as the latest It girl.
Cha Cha Matcha, Isshiki Matcha, Nana’s Green Tea, Matcha Cafe Maiko, 12 Matcha, Matcha 108, Matchaful, MuCha’s Matcha, Bibble & Sip, and more shops are changing the game.
Matcha’s holistic health benefits attract millions of consumers per year. Its high levels of antioxidants, ability to enhance cognitive function, and its natural boost toward the immune system are a few of the reasons why people choose to drink matcha. Matcha supports heart health, lowers LDL cholesterol, and contains vitamin C, chromium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc.
At home, I drink Dona Kyoto Matcha, ethically sourced from a small tea farm in Japan. Dona is a Brooklyn-based tea company revitalizing the tea industry through its unwavering support of ethical farms, family-owned businesses, and curating high-quality consumables.
Ice out this July heat with matcha lattes. Honor your body through holistic wellness. Each sip is a focused miniature step toward a healthier version.
Tag #eesblog in the caption of your aesthetic matcha photos. I want to see you drink up.
Addresses to 10 Matcha Cafés Centrally Located in Manhattan:
Cha Cha Matcha- 1158 Broadway
Matcha Cafe Maiko- 132 Bowery
12 Matcha- 54 Bond Street
Matcha 108- 108 Madison Street
Cha Cha Matcha- 477 Madison Street
Isshiki Matcha- 176 8th Avenue
Nana’s Green Tea- 1250 Broadway
Matchaful- 217 Mulberry Street
Bibble & Sip- 253 W 51st Street
MuCha’s Matcha- 162 E 25th Street