How Green Tea Is Featured on Menus Around the World

From Matcha Lattes to Sweetened Variants

Green tea isn’t just a staple in Japan—it’s found its place in cafés and restaurants around the globe. While unsweetened green teas and matcha-based drinks dominate many menus, sweetened green tea drinks—especially those made with powdered sweet green tea—are also starting to appear in select markets. Let’s explore how green tea shows up in international food and beverage culture.

1. "Green Tea" in International Menus

Across countries like the United States, Australia, Singapore, and Thailand, you’ll commonly see green tea listed under various names on café and restaurant menus:

• Green Tea Latte
• Iced Green Tea
• Matcha Green Tea
• Sweet Green Tea (especially in parts of the U.S. South)

Often, the term “green tea” refers to unsweetened green tea or matcha, not necessarily the sweet green tea powder (which is more common in Japan). However, some menus do clearly specify “sweetened green tea”, reflecting a growing awareness of consumer preferences.

2. Major Chains Offering Green Tea Drinks

Here are real-life examples from well-known café chains (as of the early 2020s):

Starbucks (USA)

• Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte – mildly sweet with matcha and milk
• Green Tea Cream Frappuccino – a rich, dessert-like frozen drink

Gong Cha (Taiwan-based)

• Green Tea with Milk Foam
• Green Tea with Toppings (e.g., tapioca pearls, jelly)

Chatime, CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice (Asia-Pacific)

These chains often use sweetened green tea powder to create customizable drinks, catering to consumers who enjoy building their own beverage combos.

In these establishments, drinks based on sweet green tea are popular due to their customizability, vibrant appearance, and mild flavor.

3. Sweet Green Tea in the American South

The Southern U.S. is known for its “sweet tea” culture—iced black tea loaded with sugar. Riding this trend, sweetened green tea is also available in some fast-food restaurants and casual chains.

• Example: Chick-fil-A and other regional chains may offer
  • Sweetened Green Tea served hot or iced
  • Similar in flavor to Japanese sweet green tea, but tailored to local palates

These drinks tend to be light, sugary, and refreshing, especially popular during warmer months.

4. Japanese Restaurants Abroad

Many Japanese restaurants overseas also serve green tea, though typically in its unsweetened form:

• Sushi restaurants often offer hot green tea as a free or optional drink
• Some introduce sweet green tea drinks as dessert options
• Occasionally, sweet green tea powder imported from Japan is used directly in beverage preparation

These venues serve as cultural ambassadors, helping introduce a range of Japanese tea experiences to foreign audiences.

5. Tourist-Friendly Spots and Airport Cafés

In tourist hubs, especially in airport cafés and department stores, “Green Tea Latte” and “Matcha Latte” have become popular offerings:

• Usually sweetened and served hot or iced
• Available with dairy-free alternatives like almond or soy milk
• Marketed as a “Japanese-inspired” wellness drink

These drinks cater to international travelers who seek something unique, sweet, and photogenic—a combination that helps green tea gain traction abroad.

Conclusion

Green tea is gaining international popularity in many forms: unsweetened brews, matcha lattes, and sweetened powder-based drinks. While not yet mainstream everywhere, sweet green tea variants are emerging in niche markets, especially where customization and visual appeal are valued. As global interest in Japanese flavors grows, we’re likely to see more creative green tea applications on menus worldwide.