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

Known for its photo-friendly pop-ups at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden during Art Basel in 2024, Sunshine Coffee is now open at the Esme Hotel, serving its popular iced coffees and matchas as well as breakfast and lunch. —Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025

Its new functional coffee and matcha drinks will be $2 off with the code MOOD for in-person and online orders. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 26 Sep. 2025

The dietitian also suggested trying out a pistachio-matcha latte with pistachio paste or pistachios on Greek yogurt. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025

While handheld milk frothers are great for matcha and protein lattes, crafting the perfect cappuccino requires a bit more power. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 25 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