As social media trends continue to shape the daily habits of students, one drink has steadily grown in popularity among Freedom High School students: matcha. Although it has deep roots in centuries old Japanese tea culture, many people today were introduced to it through TikTok videos, Pinterest aesthetics, and lifestyle content from influencers. While some enjoy matchas for its flavor and health benefits, others appreciate the calming vibe and cultural simplicity behind it.
“I got into matcha last year due to social media,” said sophomore Misha Parashar. “Many people were really enjoying the drink, so I gave it a try.”
Parashar’s favorite place to get matcha is Greggory’s Coffee, where she enjoys it as a latte with a milk and a sweetener like honey or sugar. Like many students, she believes matcha’s popularity has grown largely because of influencers sharing visually appealing drink videos online.
“I feel like matcha has been becoming more popular due to many influencers on social media,” Parashar said. “There’s always TikToks of people making matcha or adding toppings and decorations to make it aesthetic. It definitely creates demand.”
However, some students feel that the commercialization of matcha has shifted the way the drink is perceived.
“I think the matcha advertising style with using influential figures is bad because it takes away from the cultural significance of the drink,” said senior Monica Basak. “It makes it seem like a trend when people add a bunch of unnecessary flavors to it, which takes away from the actual taste.”
Although matcha is often associated with its aesthetic appeal, its values go beyond looks.
“It’s marketed as a healthier alternative to coffee, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing,” Parashar said. “I just wish more people knew that matcha actually has history behind it and didn’t see it as just a trendy drink.”
As matcha becomes more established as a daily beverage, more students are beginning to recognize its genuine benefits. Matcha contains more antioxidants than most teas, providing natural energy boosts and other health advantages. For many, the drink has evolved from a passing trend into a meaningful part of their daily routine.
