A color love story: Why matcha and strawberry are everywhere
From café counters to social feeds, one pairing is stealing the spotlight: matcha and strawberry.
Earthy green meets vibrant pinks. Bitter meets sweet. Tradition meets playful indulgence.
The combination has quickly become a global obsession, and for brands, it’s opening the door to fresh, color‑forward innovation across food and drink.
From Japanese ritual to modern icon
For centuries, matcha has been central to Japanese tea culture, celebrated for its ritual, craft, and deep green hue. Fast forward to today, and matcha has been reimagined for a new generation, iced, foamed, blended, and shared.
Its rise from teahouse tradition to global lifestyle symbol has been fueled by cafés, influencers, and consumers looking for something that feels both authentic and modern.
This is where its pairing with strawberry becomes relevant. In 2025, the pairing of matcha and strawberry became a mainstream favorite and suddenly, green and pink cups were everywhere.
Why this pairing works on every level
Matcha brings depth and complexity, with its distinctive umami notes. Strawberry adds brightness and familiarity, softening the edges with gentle sweetness. Together, they create an indulgent flavor experience.
But the appeal goes beyond taste.
Both ingredients carry strong positive associations. Matcha is often linked with mindfulness and modern wellness lifestyles, while strawberry signals freshness, fruitfulness, and classic pleasure. Combined, they tap into consumers’ desire for treats that feel good, not just taste good.
Visually the contrast is irresistible. The saturated green of matcha against the lively pink of strawberry creates a color combination that is made for sharing.
East meets West: two cultures come together
Matcha and strawberry tell a broader cultural story.
Consumers today are curious. They want to explore, blend, and reinterpret culinary influences. This pairing reflects exactly that: a conversation between East and West, heritage and reinvention.
Our color trends campaign, Gather Together, shows that color plays a powerful role in creating products that feel more social, expressive, and emotionally engaging. Matcha green and strawberry pink do just that, bringing cultural inspiration to life in a way that feels inviting and contemporary.
That’s why the pairing is showing up everywhere, from iced lattes and spoonable dairy to desserts, bakery, and seasonal limited editions.
Color is meaning
In matcha and strawberry creations, color does more than catch the eye.
Green signals depth and intensity. Pink suggests fruit and sweetness. Together, they guide consumers before the first sip or bite, creating expectations, reinforcing authenticity and flavor cues.
However, color choice is vital.
Artificial colors undermine products’ healthy positioning and clash with clean‑label and plant‑based claims. Some natural colors can also fade, brown, or shift.
EXBERRY® can deliver the colors you need. Created from non-GMO fruit, vegetables, and plants, they can deliver bright, stable shades while supporting short, recognizable ingredient lists.
Get inspired: Explore our EXBERRY® concepts
Ready to deliver dazzling drinks? Looking to go beyond beverages? Check out our EXBERRY® matcha and strawberry concepts and get inspired for your next product innovation.