Is There an Official Definition of "Green Tea" Powder?

There is no legal definition. It is a product name, not a regulated category.

Two meanings in circulation

In Japanese retail — often a sweetened powder made from matcha or powdered green tea, sold to be mixed with water. Cafés have used the same term for cold sweet matcha drinks for decades.

In English — the general category of unoxidized tea. Sencha, gyokuro, bancha, matcha. Sweetness is irrelevant to the definition.

Both usages are established. Neither is incorrect.

What the absence of a definition allows

Products under this name vary considerably:

• Matcha-forward blends with sugar
• Mostly powdered green tea, with a small amount of matcha
• Largely sugar and dextrin, with minimal tea content
• Green appearance supported by flavoring and coloring

All of them can legally use the name. The name tells you nothing about the contents.

Where to actually look

Ingredient list — required to run in order of weight. What appears first characterizes the product. A shorter list makes it easier to know what you are consuming.

Nutrition panel — energy and carbohydrate figures let you estimate how much sugar is present. Sugar runs about 4 kcal per gram.

"Contains matcha" has no threshold

Phrases like made with matcha confirm presence, not quantity. A trace amount qualifies.

The order of ingredients remains the most reliable signal available.