New matcha spot opens near UC Berkeley’s campus amid global shortage of popular Japanese tea plant

(KRON) — Rejoice, UC Berkeley students and lovers of matcha: a new spot has just opened near the university’s campus. “Matcha Matcha” held its soft opening over the weekend for its location on 2315 Telegraph Ave., the business announced in a social media post.

With the soft opening, Matcha Matcha will only be open on select days in its first three weeks. Hours are as follows:

• Aug. 8-10: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Aug. 14-17: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Aug. 20-24: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The establishment describes itself as one that serves “premium Uji matcha from Japan.”

Located about a block south of UC Berkeley’s campus, Matcha Matcha appears to have taken over the space once occupied by The Alley, according to a photo of the newly opened shop. That boba shop that opened in January of 2024. The Alley in Berkeley closed sometime after May of this year.

The Alley did not announce the closure of its Berkeley location on social media, but a spokesperson told KRON4 the store “temporarily ceased operations.” It did not disclose a closure date or reason for its closure. The establishment did reveal plans to reopen in Berkeley and expand elsewhere in the Bay Area, The Alley spokesperson added.

Matcha Matcha’s opening comes during a recent supply shortage of matcha, according to The Washington Post. The tea plant that produces matcha can only be grown and produced in Japan.

Recent Trump administration policies have placed a 15% tariff on most Japanese goods entering the United States, including matcha. That has also factored in the increasing difficulty of matcha coming into the country. Even one matcha spot in the Philippines recently announced it is facing a matcha shortage — admitting it may no longer serve matcha drinks within the week. Uji-Matcha Cafe said restocking its matcha could take one to two months.