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

The LunaFro Max can also be used to blend hot chocolate, protein drinks, and matcha, and features a detachable frothing head for quick cleaning. —Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Nov. 2025

But actually, whenever the members get together, kongguksu comes up way more than matcha! —Billboard Korea, Billboard, 26 Nov. 2025

This involves not only slow mornings—complete with Chinese herbal tea by her friend Natazia Stolberg, matcha with Par Olive’s collagen powder, and breakfast—but also strengthening her immune system. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2025

There are chocolate and matcha variants, their subtle flavors baked into the dough. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 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