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

This matcha is balanced and slightly on the sweeter side. —Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 6 Sep. 2024

Creamy and flavorful, this matcha hits the spot on a hot summer day. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2024

Sipping an iced matcha in between takes on a Sunday afternoon in West Hollywood, Greenblatt is focused, though quick to jam out to her hype playlist speckled with Broadway songs. —Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2024

One showstopper was an appetizer of carrots glazed with layers of salsa matcha and Salvadoran cheese, served with a pickled quail egg. —Kayla Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2024

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