matcha

American  

[mah-chuh] / ˈmɑ tʃə /

noun

1. a finely ground powder made from small green tea leaves that have been steamed briefly, then dried, used to make tea and as a flavoring in desserts.

2. tea made by mixing this powder with hot water, traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony.

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Etymology

Origin of matcha

< Japanese < matsu “to rub” + cha “tea” (< Chinese chá )

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Explanation

Matcha is green tea that's been ground to a very fine powder. Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies involve making, serving, and drinking matcha. The Japanese roots of matcha are matsu, "to rub," and cha, "tea." The drink's history in Japan goes back to a 12th century Zen Buddhist monk who brought green tea seeds home from China and started "the way of tea," the ceremony that involves whisking powdered matcha into hot water. Today matcha's distinctive grassy flavor can also be found in frothy milk drinks, baked goods, and ice cream.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

matcha

It has led to a tony version of an old western shoot-out, with opinion pieces in Aspen’s two local newspapers replacing revolver bullets and $8 matcha lattes at Sant Ambroeus swapped for 10-cent beers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

But Natalie TJ, who co-runs an Asian-inspired bakery in London, says her cornmilk matcha drink has been one of the most popular drinks this summer – second only to the bakery's Hong Kong milk tea.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

With matcha lattes in hand, attendees walked around the synthetic turf filming content.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

If you meet a friend for an overpriced matcha instead of an overpriced IPA, are you less social?

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

It is not the full tea ceremony that she has performed on several occasions over the years, but as Tsukiko slowly prepares two bowls of green matcha, it is beautiful and calming nonetheless.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

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