Fake Uji Matcha Running Rampant in China: "Uji Tea's Own Value Is Being Damaged" — Kyoto Establishments Outraged
「宇治デ抹茶」「パウダふん」中国で横行する“ニセ宇治抹茶”の実態 「宇治茶自体の価値が毀損される」京都の老舗は怒り - Yahoo!ニュース
Summary
Amid global matcha demand, Chinese-made fake Uji matcha—labeled with Japanese place names and sold in China—is undercutting authentic Kyoto production and eroding the Uji brand. An investigation revealed Japanese companies are complicit in sourcing and distributing counterfeit products. Kyoto tea makers warn that misrepresentation threatens the integrity of the entire Uji tea category and legitimate producers' market share.
Key points
- Chinese counterfeit Uji matcha widely available in China, using misleading Japanese labeling (e.g. "宇治デ抹茶") despite not…
- Investigation traced distribution back to involvement of Japanese firms, implicating domestic actors in the fraud scheme…
- Kyoto producers report direct damage to Uji tea's reputation and economic value as consumers unknowingly purchase inferi…
- The counterfeit trade exploits the global matcha boom without adhering to Uji's protected designation or quality protoco…
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About this article
What they said
“"Uji tea's own value is being damaged"”
「宇治茶自体の価値が毀損される」
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