Green Tea Products Commonly Found in Overseas Supermarkets

When exploring supermarkets outside Japan, you’ll notice that green tea products often look and taste quite different from what’s commonly sold in Japan. Especially in major cities across Asia, North America, and Europe, there’s a wide range of green tea items that blend global preferences with Japanese-inspired branding.

Common Product Types

Powdered Green Tea (Instant Type)

Many options are sweetened, resembling Japan’s "green tea" powder (which is often matcha mixed with sugar).
Packaging frequently includes words like “Matcha Green Tea,” “Japanese Style,” or “Sweetened.”
Designed to be mixed with water or milk, these products are convenient for quick preparation.

Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Bottled Teas

Bottled teas are widely available and popular for on-the-go consumption.
Brands like Honest, ITO EN, and AriZona are common in the U.S. and Canada.
Flavor profiles range from unsweetened and light to mildly sweet, which may feel less dessert-like than Japanese sweetened green tea drinks.

How These Products Are Displayed

Some are placed in the “Asian Food” section, while others sit alongside regular beverage shelves.
Many labels simply say “Green Tea” without clarifying whether it’s matcha, sencha, or something else.
Design elements often lean into Japanese aesthetics—featuring Mount Fuji, cherry blossoms, kanji characters, or minimalist logos that evoke “JAPAN.”

Example Product Descriptions (Imagery Implied)

A single-serve “Sweet Matcha Latte” powder packet found in a Taiwanese supermarket
A chilled “Green Tea with Honey” bottle from a U.S. grocery store fridge
A tin labeled “Japanese Style Green Tea Powder” from the imported food section of a Southeast Asian market

Key Trends

Across international markets, green tea products are adapted with a focus on health appeal, Japanese-inspired design, and visual aesthetics. While some items resemble Japanese green tea in concept, the level of sweetness, ingredients, and intended use often differ significantly. Brands clearly aim to localize flavor and packaging to fit regional tastes and lifestyles.