matcha

noun

ˈmä-chə 

ˈma-

plural matchas

: a green powder made from ground green tea leaves that is used to make tea and other beverages and as a flavoring agent

Our meal began with matcha, the traditional green tea of the tea ceremony. The powder is spooned into a ceramic bowl, hot water added and the mixture whisked to a frothy jade.

—Alan Brown

Walk into a coffee shop or peruse Instagram and you're sure to have seen a matcha latte.

—Alysha Witwicki

also : tea made from matcha

At the time, he often experienced midafternoon malaise and began drinking hot matcha on his brother's recommendation.

—Jill Radsken

Examples of matcha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Don't skip dessert, the yogurt, caramel, and matcha mousse has become a signature. —Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

This under-$10 option fits the bill perfectly and smells exactly like an iced strawberry matcha. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 11 June 2026

Trying loads of new restaurants and completing her mission to taste the best matcha in the city are also at the top of her to-do list. —Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026

Michelle Yeung sips a matcha drink. —Mike Winters mickey Todiwala, CNBC, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Japanese, from mat-, form in compounding of matsu "to rub, daub, paint" + cha "tea"

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above