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

Got it — the classic three-way combination of coffee flavor, peppermint flavor, and matcha flavor. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025

The protein cold foam will be available in a variety of flavors, including a new banana flavor, vanilla, matcha, chocolate, brown sugar, salted caramel and plain. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025

Stories include looks at an invitation-only restaurant to the ancient sensory ritual of matcha. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025

Drink options include coffee, kombucha, matcha latte, and milkshakes. —Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 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