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

Across from Zara and near Macy’s Home & Children, visitors have been able to grab boba tea, matcha and coffee made in house since January. — Alexandra Phelps july 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

To go with the vibe of the handmade art, the couple decided on small rotating flavors of coffee and matcha. — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026

The business features coffee, desserts, juice, smoothies, bubble tea, matcha lattes, matcha soft serve, matcha tiramisu, cheese cloud lattes and more. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026

The ceremonial matcha has even more flavors, including strawberry, coconut, vanilla and blueberry. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 9 July 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