The Matcha Yaad, an independent Birmingham business that bills itself as the UK's first Caribbean-Japanese ceremonial matcha brand, now has four products stocked by Holland & Barrett. The range includes Gokou Matcha alongside chocolate, strawberry and peach versions.
Every product is vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free and made without additives. Founder Monique Farquharson came to matcha the long way round: she disliked it at first, then gave it another try after cutting out coffee because of heart palpitations. She went on to spend two years in Japan training with a tea teacher, launched the brand in Jamaica and later brought it to Britain, with a focus on pairing flavour with functional benefits.
Next on her list are new products and wider distribution through grocers, farm shops and independent stores — more evidence that matcha remains one of the liveliest corners of the green tea world.
Source: Tea & Coffee Trade Journal