How Green Tea Is Perceived Abroad: Cultural Gaps, Sweet Surprises, and Matcha Confusion

In Japan, “green tea” (グリーンティー) often refers to a sweetened powdered drink, quite different from what most English speakers imagine. In Western countries, “green tea” usually means unsweetened steeped tea—like sencha—associated with health and wellness. This cultural gap leads to misunderstandings and mixed reactions among foreign visitors. Let’s explore how Western audiences perceive Japanese green tea, and how it often gets confused with matcha.

1. Confusion Between “Green Tea” and Matcha

In English, “green tea” typically refers to loose-leaf tea, such as Japanese sencha or Chinese green teas.
Japanese sweetened green tea, made from powdered tea and sugar, is virtually unknown abroad.
Thanks to the global popularity of matcha lattes and matcha desserts, many people equate “green tea” with matcha, even though they are different products.
This causes confusion when Japanese products are exported. People often ask:
“Is this matcha? Or is it just green tea?”

2. Sweet Green Tea Feels Unexpected

In the West, tea is usually consumed without sugar and viewed as a healthy, low-calorie drink.
Many foreigners are surprised to find that Japan’s green tea drinks can be very sweet—almost like dessert.
As a result, sweetened green tea is often seen not as “tea,” but as a Japanese-style sweet beverage, closer to a soda or milkshake in concept.

3. Appearance vs. Taste: A Jarring Contrast

The bright green color leads many to assume the drink is detoxifying or natural.
However, the taste—sweet, mild, and occasionally syrupy—can feel unexpected or even disappointing to health-conscious drinkers.
In cultures where people are actively avoiding sugar, this contradiction between “healthy-looking” and “actually sugary” can cause confusion or frustration.

4. Surprise at Tourist Spots

Tourists in Japan often seek out matcha experiences, thanks to marketing around matcha desserts and drinks.
When they try sweetened green tea expecting something earthy or bitter, they’re sometimes surprised—pleasantly or otherwise.
Some describe it as “easy to drink” or “like a green dessert”, while others say, “It wasn’t what I expected at all.”

5. A Gateway to Japanese Beverage Culture

While sweet green tea may cause initial confusion, it also offers an entry point into Japan’s complex drink culture.
Curious visitors may begin asking:
“Why is tea sweet in Japan?” or
“When do Japanese people drink this?”
This opens the door to learning about seasonal customs, regional variations, and the cultural role of tea in daily life.
As culinary tourism grows, regional drinks like sweet green tea are gaining popularity as local specialties worth discovering.

Conclusion

For many foreigners, green tea is synonymous with health and simplicity. So when they encounter Japan’s sweetened version, the surprise is real. The confusion with matcha only adds to the complexity. But instead of seeing this as a problem, it can be viewed as an opportunity to share Japan’s beverage culture in a deeper, more authentic way. By acknowledging the cultural differences and clearly explaining what makes Japanese green tea unique, we can help more people appreciate this sweet and nostalgic drink.