1.
matcha, powdered green tea
Finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves. Used in the traditional tea ceremony and widely as a flavoring in sweets and drinks.
抹茶を点てる。
To prepare matcha.
抹茶アイスが一番好きだ。
Matcha ice cream is my favorite.
京都のカフェで本格的な抹茶を味わうことができる。
You can enjoy authentic matcha at cafes in Kyoto.
KANJI:
抹 (rub/grind) + 茶 (tea). Literally "ground tea."
TEA CEREMONY:
In 茶道 (the tea ceremony), 抹茶 is whisked with hot water using a 茶筅 (bamboo whisk). The verb for preparing matcha is 点てる, not 入れる (which is used for ordinary tea).
There are two main styles:
- 薄茶: thin tea (lighter, more common)
- 濃茶: thick tea (richer, more formal)
MODERN USAGE:
抹茶 has become hugely popular as a flavor in modern Japan and globally. Common products include 抹茶ラテ (matcha latte), 抹茶アイス (matcha ice cream), and 抹茶ケーキ (matcha cake).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 抹茶を点てる: to prepare matcha
- 抹茶味: matcha flavor
- 抹茶ラテ: matcha latte
- 抹茶スイーツ: matcha sweets