Matchaah has released a new range of carbonated matcha teas flavoured with fruit called SoMatchaah. Credit: Pixabay.

Matchaah has released a new range of carbonated matcha teas flavoured with fruit called SoMatchaah, which it claims is the first line of its kind in the US drinks market.

One 12oz can of the product contains one serving of matcha tea, carbonated water, a natural fruit flavour, cane sugar and citric acid.

SoMatchaah will be available in four flavours across the US from the end of March. The flavours are lime mint, mango, raspberry and pineapple coconut.

Matchaah chief executive officer Paul Henson said: “It’s not hard to see the scale or pace of the opportunity. Just look at how beverage offerings have changed in convenience stores in the last two years.

“They’re selling $3 premium beverages that previously you’d only find in health food stores. Grocery stores are dedicating multiple floor and shelf space locations to flavoured sparkling waters.

“Functional beverages, ‘new age’ beverages, ready-to-drink teas – all of these categories are exploding – and it’s being driven by consumers who are demanding natural drinks that taste great but which also deliver real health benefits.”

Matcha tea is a Japanese traditional beverage, which has become an established global drinks trend because of its positive impact on physical and mental wellbeing.

It is made from powdered green tea leaves which is mixed with hot water. Since the tea leaves used to make it are grown in the shade, matcha contains three times as many antioxidants as normal green tea.

It also contains the amino acid L-Theanine, which promotes a state of relaxation and inhibits the negative impacts of the natural caffeine in the green tea leaves. This explains why Buddhist monks in Japan consumed matcha tea to help them enter a meditative state.

Other products in Matchaah’s portfolio include flavoured instant lattes and portable shots of matcha tea.