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

Some other alternatives include a cup of warm water with lemon, or matcha for a robust cup of tea with slightly less caffeine than regular coffee. —Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Mar. 2025

For Weight Loss Both matcha and coffee can support weight loss. —Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 26 Mar. 2025

There’s also a coffee shop at Draper Mercantile with creative monthly coffee selections, like a s’mores mocha and a vanilla matcha latte. —Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025

Expect over a dozen matcha lattes, coffee options, pastries and a seating area to get some work done. —Mckenzie Rankin, Axios, 3 Mar. 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