India, July 5 -- T he internet's favourite green drink is no longer just a Japanese import. Assam has become the first state in India to commercially produce matcha, giving the viral beverage a proudly homegrown twist. On Friday, the first-ever commercial batch of Indian-made matcha, weighing 5 kg, debuted at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC). Auctioned by J Thomas & Co., the lot fetched Rs.3,000 per kg and was bought by Guwahati-based Sheosons Chai Co. For India's booming cafe culture, the development could be significant. Most cafes currently rely on imports from Japan, China and Vietnam, making procurement expensive and supply chains unpredictable. Ayushi Sharma, founder of Cha & Co., says, "Assam has the ideal climate for this, and if we can hit that premium quality, it's going to be a game-changer. I fully support growing it in India; not only will it make procurement significantly cheaper, but it's a massive step forward for the industry." Yahvi Mariwala, co-owner of Nandan Coffee, agrees: "Producing this locally is going to be incredibly beneficial. It cuts down shipping costs, simplifies the supply chain and ensures we get a much fresher product. It has massive potential." Not everyone is convinced, however. Culinary consultant Suvir Saran cautions against viewing matcha as the next big agricultural trend. "Before celebrating India's matcha moment, we should ask: What are we replacing? If matcha complements Assam's tea heritage, wonderful. If it starts replacing it, we should pause," he says....