The food and beverage market made from green tea is experiencing strong growth due to its significant health benefits. In particular, the market value is projected to reach 2.69 billion USD in the next 5 years.
To find quality raw materials, businesses should have a clear understanding of the three most popular sources of green tea powder today. Let’s explore them in detail in the following article with WIN Flavor!
1. Map of Green Tea Regions Worldwide
From the Himalayas to the lowlands of Charleston, South Carolina, fresh tea leaves can be found everywhere. According to research by experts, tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after filtered water. Specifically, in the United States, tea importation has increased by over 400% since 1990.
For thousands of years, green tea has been regarded as a medicinal remedy. In the 17th century, this beverage was introduced to England and became a cultural feature in many countries worldwide. With its wide popularity, the demand for green tea powder has also significantly increased, with large-scale production worldwide.
1.1. China’s Tea Production Region
China is known as the largest producer of green tea in the world, with over 1 million tons produced annually, accounting for 30% of the world’s output. The main regions for green tea production in China are Yunnan, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Guangdong, and Guangxi.
This country produces various types of tea, including green, yellow, oolong, white, and other floral-scented teas. You can easily find pure green tea powder products from this populous nation.
1.2. India’s Tea Production Regions
The main tea production regions in India are Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri/Coonoor. Other regions include Terai, Dooars, Himachal Pradesh (including Kangra and Mandi), Sikkim, and Travancore/Kerala, which are also significant tea-growing areas.
Darjeeling tea is considered the king of black teas due to its excellent quality. Assam tea tends to be stronger, with a higher tannin content, offering a refreshing taste without bitterness or astringency.
1.3. Japan’s Tea Production Regions
The main tea production regions in Japan include Shikoku, Kyushu, and Southern Honshu. In Honshu, the Shizuoka region (bordering the Pacific Ocean and Mount Fuji) is the largest producer of Japanese green tea and the largest tea-growing region in the Land of the Rising Sun.
1.4. Tea Cultivation Regions in Central and South America
Tea is produced in South and Central America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Ecuador. Most green teas in these regions are blended and not of high quality. Only a few products from Bolivia and Guatemala are pure green teas.
1.5. Tea Production Regions in Africa
Most teas produced in Africa are CTC black teas used in tea bags. The tea-producing countries on this continent include Tanzania, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
1.6. Tea Production Region in Taiwan
Taiwan is primarily known for its famous teas such as Oolong tea, green tea (Longjing tea, Biluochun tea), and black tea from Sun Moon Lake. The tea production regions in Taiwan are mainly concentrated in high mountainous areas. The tea-producing areas in Taiwan include Alishan Mountain Range (in the central-southern region of Taiwan), Alishan Mountain (Gia Nghia, Taiwan), Nam Dau, Ngoc Son Mountain, Van Son (Taipei), Tan Truc, and Cao Hung. Each region is known for different types of Taiwanese green tea.
1.7. Tea Production Regions in the United States
Green tea is produced on a small scale in Oregon, Hawaii, Washington, Alabama, and South Carolina. Among them, Hawaii is renowned for its handcrafted teas, while Carolina is famous for the Bigelow tea plantation.
1.8. Tea Production Regions in Asian Countries
Vietnam is currently focusing on producing high-quality green teas. This market includes a wide variety of teas, with approximately 60% of the products being black tea, 35% green tea, and 5% specialty teas infused with lotus or jasmine flowers. In addition to Thái Nguyên green tea powder, Vietnam also has another special tea variety called San Tuyet tea, which can only be grown in certain provinces across the country.
Furthermore, handcrafted green tea from South Korea is available in many countries worldwide. Thailand is also a major producer of Oolong tea, supplying the global market.
2. Top 3 Most Popular Tea Powders Currently Used
2.1. Thai Nguyen Green Tea Powder
Green tea powder produced in Thai Nguyen is one of the products widely used by many women for beauty purposes, as it is made from 100% pure green tea leaves. Additionally, it is also used as an ingredient in the preparation of enticing dishes and beverages such as matcha milk tea, matcha cakes, and various refreshing tea-based drinks.
This powder is a completely natural product made from fresh Thai Nguyen tea leaves, ground into a convenient powder form to cater to the diverse needs of users. Green tea contains antioxidants, making the product considered a “miracle” for health and skincare, including acne treatment.
2.2. Japanese Green Tea Powder
Unlike the Vietnamese way of drinking tea, which involves only consuming the extracted liquid from fresh tea leaves, the Japanese often use this powdered form to prepare tea. This method helps retain all the nutritional components of fresh tea leaves and allows for the full enjoyment of the aromatic fragrance of green tea.
According to a study by Professor Toshida Tagashi (University of Tokyo – JP), this unique preparation method allows Japanese matcha powder to have the highest tannin content, exceeding 19%. Currently, the most preferred Japanese matcha powder products in the Vietnamese market are Matcha Green Tea Aiya, AGF Blendy, and Matcha Milk.
2.3. Taiwanese Green Tea Powder
Taiwanese matcha powder is a popular flavoring ingredient used by many customers to make beverages, pastries, and jellies. With its refreshing jasmine aroma, subtle bitterness, vibrant green color, and rich antioxidant properties, Taiwanese matcha powder is the choice of most bartenders.
The use of Taiwanese green tea powder in pastries is more cost-effective compared to products imported from Japan, making it preferred by pastry shops. Additionally, this product can also be used to make jellies or yogurt. Some of the currently favored brands by consumers are Meiyo, Milaganics, Bona, and Neicha.
3. Where to Buy High-Quality and Authentic Green Tea Powder
There are various types of green tea powder products available in the market, and their prices can vary. Products manufactured in Taiwan, China, Japan, and Vietnam also have significant price differences.
For imported products from these countries, the prices may be higher compared to domestically produced green tea powder. In general, Japanese products tend to have the highest prices, ranging from approximately 3 million to 5 million Vietnamese dong per kilogram. This price difference is due to different processing methods, the ratio of fresh tea leaves to tea buds, and various import and transportation fees.
Unlike imported products, domestically produced ones have relatively affordable prices. Green tea matcha powder produced in Thai Nguyen and some provinces in Central Vietnam has stable quality and is priced from 1 million to 3 million Vietnamese dong per kilogram.
If you want to find high-quality green tea powder in Vietnam, consider the products offered by WIN Flavor. We are confident that we are one of the most reputable suppliers of powdered green tea products in the current market. Our products are extracted from natural green tea leaves from Japan, with formulas researched by top flavor experts to preserve the original flavor of matcha. As a result, WIN Flavor’s products have a strong and full-bodied flavor profile, excellent heat resistance, and become the perfect flavor choice for F&B businesses.
This article has provided you with information about renowned green tea-growing regions worldwide and some high-quality green tea powder options for your reference. Businesses should choose products with clear origins to ensure consumer health. Contact WIN Flavor today for advice on selecting high-quality ingredients at affordable prices!
Article and images compiled by WIN Flavor.
