. . "Matcha (\u62B9\u8336, pronounced [mat.t\u0255a]) is finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea. It's special in two aspects of farming and processing: The green tea plants for matcha are shade-grown for about three weeks before harvest, and the stems and veins are removed in processing. The traditional Japanese tea ceremony centers on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha."@en .