Is matcha the new espresso? The growth of interest in recent years in this powdered Japanese green tea has been rapid enough that it prompted one writer to pose that question. The writer ultimately concluded that while matcha and espresso do share some similarities, matcha will likely come to occupy a healthy niche in the hot beverage world but will probably not shove espresso out of the way.

For a little more insight into what exactly matcha is, take a look at Make Mine Matcha, a post I wrote for The Taste of English Tea Blog. Whether or not matcha will become the new espresso is anyone’s guess. I’m inclined to agree with the aforementioned writer that while it’s experiencing something of a heyday it’s not likely to ever usurp espresso or any other coffee products.

But tea is tea and coffee is coffee and that’s okay. As for matcha, it has become popular enough these days that there are a number of mail order vendors here in the United States who have devoted themselves to selling it and little or nothing else. Take Matcha Source, for instance, who describe themselves as “an online retailer of premium matcha tea and specialty utensils for preparing and enjoying matcha.”

Other exclusive matcha merchants include ZenMatcha, who bill themselves as “the first dedicated matcha tea company in North America” and which “was founded by Naomi Thomas, who grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia.” There’s also DoMatcha, purveyors of matcha who recently undertook an experiment “to explore the health and performance benefits matcha provides competing athletes.”

Like many other teas, matcha has begun to find its way into a variety of personal care products, and it is even used as an ingredient in a wide variety of foods. Look here for some ways in which matcha can be used in a variety of desserts.

Don’t forget to check out William’s blog, Tea Guys Speaks!