# Climate change threatens matcha, but genomics might offer a solution

Rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns are harming matcha production in Japan, endangering the high-quality tea leaves used for the powder. Researchers are turning to genomics to develop more resilient matcha varieties that can withstand these environmental stresses. This matters because matcha has become a globally popular product, and its loss would affect both traditional culture and modern supply chains.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### Science
- [New Scientist](https://www.newscientist.com/article/2581783-matcha-is-under-threat-from-climate-change-can-genomics-save-it/?utm_campaign=RSS|NSNS&utm_content=home&utm_medium=RSS&utm_source=NSNS) — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0000