"Uji Matcha" Label Used on Chinese-Made Products: What U.S. Importers Must Know

Chinese-Made Products Labeled "Uji Matcha" Are Spreading Globally — A Warning for U.S. Buyers

The global matcha boom has brought tremendous opportunity for cafés, restaurants, and beverage businesses in the United States. But with rising demand comes a serious risk: products labeled "Uji Matcha" that contain no Japanese tea whatsoever are quietly capturing shelf space in international markets — including in the U.S.

What Is Uji Matcha?

Uji (宇治) is a city in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, renowned for producing some of the finest matcha in the world for centuries. Uji Matcha (宇治抹茶) refers to ceremonial and culinary-grade matcha grown and processed in the Uji region, using the traditional tencha (碾茶) method — shade-grown green tea leaves that are stone-ground into a fine powder. The region's unique climate, rich soil, and centuries of tea-growing expertise give authentic Uji Matcha its distinctively vibrant green color, umami depth, and smooth finish.

Because "Uji Matcha" is widely recognized as a premium brand name globally, it carries significant commercial value — and unfortunately, that value is now being exploited.

A Landmark Legal Case — and Its Troubling Outcome

According to a report published by The Asahi Shimbun on March 30, 2026, Marukyu Koyamaen — a matcha manufacturer in Uji, Kyoto, founded in the mid-Edo period (18th century) — discovered approximately four years ago that counterfeit products bearing their product names were being sold on Chinese e-commerce platforms. Despite carrying the "Uji Matcha" label, the products were made in China.

The company traced the trail to a tea wholesaler also based in Uji, which appeared to have assisted in facilitating those sales. Marukyu Koyamaen filed a lawsuit in December 2022. In April 2025, the Kyoto District Court ruled against them, citing that Japanese law could not be applied to sales conducted in China. The company appealed, but ultimately reached a settlement in January 2026.

Through the settlement, the defendant acknowledged that it had issued "Uji Matcha Certificates" to Chinese business partners, and that those partners had then used the certificates to market and manufacture non-authentic products as "Uji Matcha" in China. However, Marukyu Koyamaen was forced to abandon its ¥77 million (approx. USD $500,000) damages claim.

Why This Matters to U.S. Cafés and Importers

For U.S. café owners, specialty beverage directors, and procurement managers sourcing matcha from Japan, this situation is a clear reminder that a "Uji Matcha" label alone is not a guarantee of authenticity. Even products sold through Japanese distributors may not contain tea that was actually grown or processed in Japan.

The most reliable protection for your business is to source from a reputable supplier based in Japan — one who ships inventory directly from Japan, ensuring that what you receive is genuinely Japanese-grown matcha.

Our Commitment to Authentic Japanese Matcha

At Matcha Wholesale Japan, we are based in Japan and ship all orders directly from Japan to our wholesale clients worldwide. All of our matcha is produced by Japanese tea manufacturers registered with the U.S. FDA as Food Facilities, ensuring full compliance with U.S. import regulations. When you order from us, you can be confident that your matcha is genuinely sourced and shipped from Japan.

If you are currently sourcing matcha and want to learn more about our products, we invite you to contact us. We are here to help you serve your customers with confidence.

Source:
Asahi Shimbun, "'Uji Matcha' Made in China Spreading Overseas — The Frustration of an Established Manufacturer That Lost Its Lawsuit" (「中国産の宇治抹茶」海外に広がる 訴訟に負けた老舗のやるせなさ), March 30, 2026.
URL: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASV3S7T8JV3SPLFA00LM.html