Word
matcha
Phoneticsmat·cha
US/ˈmætʃə/
UK/ˈmætʃə/
Definition
n. a bright green powder made from specially grown and ground green tea leaves, traditionally whisked into hot water to make tea or mixed with milk in beverages such as matcha lattes.
n. a finely ground powder of shade-grown green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis), traditionally prepared with hot water using a bamboo whisk (chasen) in Japanese tea ceremonies, and widely used in contemporary beverages and culinary preparations.
Examples
“I ordered an iced matcha latte at the café.”
“Because matcha is a powder rather than whole steeped leaves, you consume the entire tea leaf, providing a higher concentration of antioxidants.”
“The traditional Japanese tea ceremony focuses on the ritualized preparation and service of matcha, emphasizing mindfulness, harmony, and seasonal appreciation.”
Examples
simple
“I ordered an iced matcha latte at the café.”
contextual
“Because matcha is a powder rather than whole steeped leaves, you consume the entire tea leaf, providing a higher concentration of antioxidants.”
complex
“The traditional Japanese tea ceremony focuses on the ritualized preparation and service of matcha, emphasizing mindfulness, harmony, and seasonal appreciation.”
Usage
Matcha is an uncountable mass noun in English ("a cup of matcha", "a spoonful of matcha powder"). Unlike infused green tea where dried whole leaves are steeped in hot water and discarded, matcha consists of the entire tea leaf finely stone-ground, meaning the whole leaf is consumed.
Teaching tip
Contrast matcha with regular green tea (such as Japanese sencha): matcha refers specifically to the powdered form. Highlight its modern culinary usage in "matcha latte", "matcha ice cream", and baking.
Pitfall
I drank two matchas this morning.
I drank two cups of matcha this morning.
Matcha is an uncountable mass noun. To count portions, use unit counters such as "two cups of matcha" or specify the exact drink ("two matcha lattes").
Real-World Examples
“To make one bowl of matcha Kaneko mixes 1.5 to 2 grams of matcha into 60 to 80ml of hot water, at 70 to 80C.” “Matcha is a type of green tea that has been dried and ground into a powder.” “Matcha, the powdered green tea, is both theatrical as a drink and dynamic as an ingredient.” “A newer menu item — banana cream-topped matcha garnished with Banana Kick, a puffed snack from South Korea — buoyed business.” Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese 抹茶 (matcha), compounded from 抹 (matsu, “to wipe, rub, grind into powder”) and 茶 (cha, “tea”). The term traces back to Middle Chinese 抹茶 (mat-tshea), describing tea leaves ground into a fine powder and whisked into hot water during the Song dynasty before the ritual was brought to Japan by Zen Buddhist monks in the late 12th century, evolving into the Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu).
Original etymology written by Shinotoshi Nakamura.