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

Limit your matcha consumption to two cups of matcha tea per day. —Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2025

Combining matcha with protein powder is a powerful pairing. —Morgan Pearson, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025

Going forward, the focus will be on the physical store, in-store collaborations and the new wellness café Koi 11, where the menu includes matcha protein shakes, herbal teas and nutritious snacks made without refined sugar. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 17 Mar. 2025

As one of the top matcha brands in the U.S., this matcha is rich in flavor and has a bright green color to it. —Lauryn Jiles, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025

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