In recent years in China, many milk tea shops have successively sold matcha-flavored drinks, attracting consumer popularity. Some of the matcha, which is the source of the sweet and refreshing taste, is transported from Daigu County, Xiaogan City, Hubei Province. The county has a climate suitable for tea tree growth and has become one of the nation's leading tea producing regions.

In 2016, a certain matcha processing company established Hubei Hanbei Tea Industry, a matcha tea leaf production base, in the county, bringing in advanced cultivation and processing technologies along with tea tree seedlings. With the support of the local government, the company began producing matcha products the year after its establishment.

Shi Xinhuang, General Manager of Hubei Hanbei Tea Industry, reported that "Last year, we produced over 1,000 tons of matcha, and our annual production value exceeded 100 million yuan (1 yuan = approximately 23 yen). It is used in many industries such as cuisine, beverages, and bakery products, and is sold in over 20 cities in China and over 10 countries and regions worldwide." The company also built a new matcha processing factory, producing high-grade matcha with a particle size of 1500-2000 mesh, which is highly praised by customers both domestically and internationally.

The cultivation base and processing factory have created local employment opportunities for over 3,100 surrounding farming households. Production is possible twice a year at the cultivation base, bringing in an income of approximately 4,000 yuan per tea farming household per cycle.

Li Chen, Deputy Director of the Daigu County Tea Industry Development Service Center, explained that the introduction of matcha has improved the economic benefits per mu (approximately 667 square meters) of local tea gardens by over 30%, and production has been increasing year by year. He added, "The government has already supported the conversion of over 1,800 mu (120 hectares) of tea gardens, and will continue to promote the development of the matcha industry."

Across Xiaogan City, last year's matcha production reached 1,500 tons, and the total production value of the entire industrial chain exceeded 800 million yuan. (Provided by Xinhua News Agency)