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    Ingredient Profile

    Match fragrance note

    Matcha, the finely milled green tea leaf, delivers a crisp, vegetal brightness and subtle bitterness that anchors modern fragrance blends, e…More

    Japan

    1

    Fragrances

    Fragrances featuring Match

    Character

    The Story of Match

    Matcha, the finely milled green tea leaf, delivers a crisp, vegetal brightness and subtle bitterness that anchors modern fragrance blends, evoking the calm of a tea garden in a single breath.

    Heritage

    Green tea originated in China over 2,000 years ago, but the practice of grinding tea leaves into a fine powder began in Japan during the 12th century. Japanese monks introduced the powdered form to support meditation, valuing its calming aroma as much as its taste. By the early 20th century, Japanese artisans began experimenting with matcha as a fragrance component, noting its fresh, vegetal quality. The post‑World War II era saw Western perfumers adopt matcha, inspired by the rise of Japanese aesthetics in fashion and design. In the 1990s, niche houses launched the first matcha‑centered scents, positioning the note as a bridge between tradition and modernity. Today, matcha appears in both niche and mainstream fragrances, celebrated for its ability to lend clarity and a subtle earthiness that balances sweeter or heavier accords.

    At a Glance

    Fragrances

    1

    Feature this note

    Origin

    Japan

    Primary source region

    Ingredient Details

    Extraction

    Mechanical grinding

    Used Parts

    Young tea leaves

    Did You Know

    "Matcha leaves are shade‑grown for three weeks before harvest, a practice that boosts chlorophyll and locks in the herbaceous aroma prized by perfumers worldwide."

    Production

    How Match Is Made

    Farmers cultivate Camellia sinensis on terraced slopes, then cover the plants with woven bamboo screens for 21 days. This shading reduces sunlight, raising chlorophyll levels and deepening the leaf's green character. Harvesters hand‑pick the youngest buds at dawn, when volatile compounds peak. The leaves undergo brief steaming to halt oxidation, preserving their bright aroma. After cooling, they are air‑dried in shaded rooms to avoid harsh heat. Once dry, the leaves are stone‑ground into a fine, jade‑colored powder using granite mills that prevent friction heat. The resulting matcha powder retains the leaf's natural oils, making it ready for direct incorporation into perfume bases. Producers store the powder in airtight, UV‑protected containers to maintain its color and scent integrity throughout transport and formulation.

    Provenance

    Japan

    Japan35.0°N, 135.8°E

    About Match