The matcha truth behind Guizhou's green gold

From matcha lattes and cakes in neighborhood cafes to a wide array of matcha-flavored products on supermarket shelves around the world, matcha has become a global sensation. Yet few people realize that a considerable share of the world's matcha raw materials is produced in China. Among these origins, Guizhou, in southwest China, has emerged as a key player.

Guizhou began exploring the viability of its matcha industry in 2015. By 2018, at the foot of Mount Fanjing – a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site – the world's largest single-unit matcha production facility was established. The region has since developed "EU-standard matcha" and built what is often referred to as a "global matcha super factory." By 2026, more than 30 matcha-based products had been developed, sold across over 30 cities in China, and exported to more than 50 countries and regions. Guizhou now ranks first in China in both matcha production and sales, and second globally in export volume.

So why Guizhou? The answer begins with geography. 

Producing matcha requires a unique cultivation technique known as "shading," which reduces bitterness and enhances the tea's sweetness and umami flavor.  

Guizhou, with an average elevation of around 1,100 meters and mountainous terrain covering over 92.5% of its land, offers ideal conditions. Influenced by a subtropical monsoon climate, the region receives abundant rainfall and is often shrouded in mist.

Remarkably, fossilized tea seeds dating back 1.64 million years – the oldest known in the world – have been discovered here. In eastern Guizhou, annual sunshine is less than 1,000 hours, creating natural shading conditions that are particularly well-suited for growing tea leaves used in matcha.

Beyond nature, a growing industrial system has further driven development.

Deep in Guizhou's mountains, alongside ancient tea trees, experimental fields are cultivating new tea varieties tailored for matcha production. Technicians regularly monitor plant growth and oversee harvesting processes. Precision is key: machine harvesting must avoid cutting too deeply, as excess stems can compromise flavor.

At the processing stage, Guizhou has also set high standards.

In Tongren – known as China's "matcha capital" – stands the world's largest single matcha processing facility, with an annual capacity of 4,000 tons. Built to pharmaceutical-grade cleanliness standards, the workshop operates as a Class 100,000 sterile environment. Nearly 90 % of the refining process is automated. The resulting EU-standard matcha achieves an average fineness of 1,000 mesh, with some reaching up to 1,300 mesh –underscoring its reputation as a true "global matcha super factory."

From tea fields to factories, and from local mountains to global markets, Guizhou matcha is quietly but steadily making its way into everyday life around the world.

From ancient tea seeds dating back over a million years to modern matcha products enjoyed globally, the story of tea in this land continues to unfold – one cup at a time.