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

Kayali marked the end of 2025 with the release of Freedom Musk Matcha 45, a frothy and enveloping blend of matcha, oat milk, and sweet musk. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026

Mollé Pâtisserie This contemporary Chinese bakery blends Asian desserts with French pastry, offering everything from mochi and pineapple buns to tarts and opéras infused with flavors like yuzu, taro, matcha, and durian. —Angela Lian, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026

One can surmise that the Iced Dubai Chocolate Matcha tops Starbucks’ iced matcha latte with a chocolate and pistachio-flavored cold foam. —Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026

The Japanese tea ceremony is deeply rooted in the ideals of Zen Buddhism, but the current matcha hype has little to do with the tea ceremony. —The Conversation, 7 Jan. 2026

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