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

In matcha beverages, extra scoops will match size pricing; for instance, an additional scoop in a grande matcha latte will charge up to the price of a venti. —Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 25 June 2025

My daily matcha latte provides over 15 grams of protein from collagen peptides. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 23 June 2025

Demand for matcha drinks and snacks has surged in recent years, spurred by social media and possible health benefits. —Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025

Other items on the menu include smoothies, matcha lattes and food such as Banh Mi Bo Kho, beef stew and ube coconut cookies. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 16 June 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