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

Dutch Bros Coffee Dutch Bros Coffee is a quick-service beverage chain that serves classic coffee drinks like lattes and americanos, as well as matcha, lemonade, iced tea and more. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

Some of the treats have ingredients found outside traditional French pastry preparation, including ube, black sesame, hojicha, Earl Grey and ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from Japan. —Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2025

Their wares are beloved by editors and celebrities alike; the best-selling gooseneck kettle is even part of Travis Barker’s matcha routine. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025

Take 25% one of our favorite matchas, or any other product from the Rocky's site. —Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Dec. 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