Matcha vs coffee: India growing curious about 800-year-old Japanese drink; Google searches will increase by up to 2,500%

India’s interest in beverages is expanding beyond established favorites, according to Google Trends data. Matcha, purple yam ube and roasted Japanese green hojicha tea are attracting growing curiosity. Searches indicate that people want new flavors, home preparation methods and comparisons before they try them.

Reports suggest that Japanese Zen Buddhist tea ceremonies introduced matcha in the 12th century. For the Japanese, it is part of an 800-year-old cultural tradition. Some even associate it with early Chinese powdered tea.

Data shows that searches for “how to make matcha” have increased by 1,300% in a year. Meanwhile, ube and hojicha achieved the highest search interest in 2026. These patterns reflect online curiosity rather than proving how much people actually drink.

Matcha is moving into home kitchens

Interest in searching for Matcha peaked in mid-2025, but people continue to explore the drink. Beginners ask what matcha tastes like, while others look for equipment. “Matcha whisk” and “matcha bowl” became breakthrough searches in August 2026. This indicates a growing interest in preparing the drink at home.

Seasonal combinations also attract attention. Summer searches for “mango matcha” grew by 200%, while searches for “strawberry matcha” grew by 400%.

During the monsoon, “dirty matcha” and “coconut matcha” attracted a lot of interest. Together, these searches indicate a curiosity about mixing familiar flavors with newer drinks.

Health issues

Searches for “matcha health” increased by 1,000%, while “matcha protein” increased by 2,500%. Questions about whether matcha contains caffeine increased by 70%.

“Matcha vs coffee” has also become a sought-after breakout. However, these numbers show interest in possible benefits rather than evidence supporting health claims.

This trend now extends beyond cups and kitchens. “Matcha shoes” and “matcha enzyme scrub” emerged as breakthrough searches throughout the year. August 2026 also saw a surge in matcha candles, face washes and perfumes. Searches indicate that matcha is becoming a lifestyle reference.

Ube brings a purple twist

Ube, a sweet purple yam, saw the highest search interest in August 2026. Interest had been steadily increasing over the previous year. Combinations involving “ube matcha” and “ube coconut” became breakthrough searches. Searches for “ube latte” and “ube cafe” also grew. According to the data, Telangana led the search interest for ube in the country.

Hojicha attracts curious tea drinkers

Hojicha, a roasted Japanese green tea, reached the highest search interest in March 2026. “Hojicha vs matcha” saw a spike when people compared the two drinks. Another burst of curiosity followed in August 2026. People searched for “what is hojicha” and “hojicha latte”, indicating continued interest among newcomers.

Delhi led the interest in Hojicha. Delhi, Goa and Chandigarh also topped searches for ‘matcha near me’. Together, these trends indicate that Indians are exploring unfamiliar beverages through coffee shops as well as home kitchens. Whether this curiosity becomes a permanent habit remains to be seen.