National Matcha Day is observed annually on May 2nd in the United States, established by the matcha brand Jade Leaf Matcha in 2021. The date corresponds to "Hachiju Hachiya," or the "88th night," a traditional marker in the Japanese lunar calendar signifying the optimal time to begin the spring tea harvest. The holiday serves as a celebration of matcha culture, history, and the beverage's growing popularity among U.S. consumers. In recent years, the observance has expanded to include various promotional offers, including free drinks, site-wide discounts, and reimbursement programs.
The following guide details the specific offers and events associated with National Matcha Day based on available promotional data.
National Matcha Day Origins and Significance
National Matcha Day was founded to honor the rich history and culture of matcha, as well as to promote its unique flavors and health benefits. While the tradition stems from Japanese agricultural practices, the U.S. celebration focuses on introducing the "magic of matcha" to a broader audience. As the number-one selling matcha brand in the United States, Jade Leaf Matcha acts as the primary ambassador for the holiday, orchestrating many of the nationwide promotions.
The date, May 2nd, is historically significant because it marks the transition from colder spring days to warmer summer weather, providing tea farmers with the ideal conditions to begin picking tea leaves.
Free Drink Offers and In-Person Events
Several brands and retailers participate in National Matcha Day by offering free beverages to customers.
Jade Leaf Matcha In-Person Promotions
In previous years, Jade Leaf Matcha has partnered with local cafes to distribute free drinks. For example, in San Francisco, the brand offered free matcha drinks to the first 150 guests per participating location (such as Stonemill Matcha, Brew Cha, and Souvenir Coffee). These offers were valid for in-person orders only and limited to one drink per person. Consumers are advised to check local listings for similar partnerships in 2025.
Innisfree Matcha Mart Pop-Up
For National Matcha Day 2025, the skincare brand Innisfree is hosting a "Matcha Mart" pop-up event at The Wellington Square from May 2nd through May 4th. The event will run daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. A key highlight of this event is the distribution of free matcha lattes to the first 500 guests daily. Additionally, the pop-up will feature skincare giveaways, a photo booth, a live DJ, and games.
Matcha Cafe Maiko
Matcha Cafe Maiko, a dedicated matcha cafe chain, typically participates in National Matcha Day with promotions at their various locations. Customers are encouraged to check with their local Matcha Cafe Maiko branches to confirm specific deals, which often include free or discounted items.
Tasty Junction Food Court (Café Pikunikku)
In New Jersey, Tasty Junction Food Court (home to Café Pikunikku) has offered a "buy one, get one free" promotion on any matcha drink on the menu (excluding the Sakura Matcha Latte). This offer allows customers to purchase one drink and receive a second one at no cost.
Reimbursement Programs
A distinct feature of National Matcha Day is the nationwide reimbursement program facilitated by Jade Leaf Matcha. This initiative allows consumers to participate even if they do not live near a participating cafe.
- The Offer: Jade Leaf Matcha reimburses customers $10 for matcha drinks purchased anywhere in the nation on May 2nd.
- The Payout: The reimbursement is issued as online store credit to be used on jadeleaf.com.
- The Process: While specific submission details are not fully outlined in the source data, the program is designed to encourage consumers to support local cafes or purchase matcha drinks from any vendor on May 2nd.
Online and Product-Based Discounts
In addition to ready-to-drink offers, National Matcha Day features significant discounts on matcha powders and accessories.
Jade Leaf Matcha Sitewide Sales
As the founding brand, Jade Leaf Matcha consistently offers substantial discounts on their official website during the holiday.
* Discount Codes: In previous years, codes such as NATIONALMATCHADAY provided 25% off matcha products. Other promotions have included 20% off sitewide.
* Free Gifts: To encourage larger purchases, Jade Leaf Matcha has offered free gifts with orders totaling $60 or more.
Collaborations and Limited Editions
National Matcha Day often serves as a launchpad for unique collaborations between matcha brands and other food vendors.
Jade Leaf Matcha x Dough Doughnuts
In New York City, Jade Leaf Matcha has previously partnered with Dough Doughnuts to release limited-edition matcha-flavored doughnuts. These collaborations usually span from May 2nd through mid-May. The specific flavors have included: * A fluffy, chocolate-frosted doughnut with matcha cream filling. * A matcha-flavored ring doughnut topped with sweet glaze and crunchy pistachios.
Health and Lifestyle Context
While the primary focus of National Matcha Day is promotional, the source data highlights the reasons for the beverage's popularity. Matcha is distinct from standard green tea because it involves consuming the entire leaf in powdered form. This results in a higher concentration of antioxidants, amino acids, and a distinctive earthy, slightly sweet flavor. It is favored by wellness enthusiasts for providing a smooth energy boost without the "jitters" associated with coffee. The beverage has expanded beyond traditional tea preparation into lattes, smoothies, desserts, and savory dishes.
Conclusion
National Matcha Day on May 2nd has evolved from a niche agricultural observance into a major promotional event for U.S. consumers. The holiday offers multiple avenues for engagement, ranging from free physical experiences like the Innisfree Matcha Mart pop-up and local cafe giveaways to digital offers like reimbursements and sitewide discounts. Consumers interested in participating should monitor official brand announcements from Jade Leaf Matcha and local event listings to verify specific 2025 participation rules, store hours, and offer limitations.