Matcha Green

History, Fashion, Interior + Brand Design, & Pantone®

Apr 09, 2025

In honor of spring, I thought it’d be the perfect time to dive into a soothing and grounded color—Matcha Green.

Subtle, earthy, and just a touch creamy, matcha green is a great go-to shade for anyone looking for something calm but still visually interesting.

Brief History

Matcha is actually one of the earliest ways tea was consumed in Japan. The practice of drinking powdered tea originated in China during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD).

Japanese monks who traveled to China to study Buddhism brought this tradition back with them—along with tea leaves.

And as time passed, especially during Japan’s Sengoku period, powdered green tea remained the preferred method of preparation.

This eventually became the foundation of the Japanese tea ceremony—a ritual deeply rooted in mindfulness, simplicity, and respect.

That’s why matcha, rather than steeped tea, is still the centerpiece of traditional tea ceremonies today.

As you can see, the powder itself is a bright and velvety green, coming naturally from the shading and stone-grinding of tea leaves. The specific matcha green we’re talking about today though is a bit softer, like the drink.

Fashion

Dries Van Noten Fall 2024 Ready-to-Wear

In this collection, our green appears in sculptural, high-shine leather boots that feel both retro-futuristic and softly grounded. Paired with a fuzzy pastel pink coat, the look leans into contrast.

Rokh Fall 2025 Ready-to-Wear

Here the green takes on an almost nostalgic quality. The delicate floral print layered over the soft green base gives it a vintage, tea-dress sensibility—yet the exaggerated ruffles and modern silhouette ground it firmly in the present.

Interior Design

Whether used on walls, cabinetry, or accent pieces, matcha green adds a subtle layer of sophistication while still keeping things fresh and natural.

In the images above, matcha green wraps the walls in a soft, grounded warmth, creating a soothing backdrop that highlights the clean lines, natural wood textures, and curated modern decor.

Branding

In branding, matcha green adds a sense of refined calm—seen here in a velvet backdrop that elevates a bottle of prosecco with soft luxury, and in thoughtfully designed packaging that feels both grounded and high-end.

Pantone® & More

If you’re looking to work with a matcha-type green, Pantone 14-0121 TCX Nile Green is a pretty good option. Lab, RGB, and HEX equivalents are also included in the image below:

And as always, thank you so much for reading! If you have a color you want me to go over next, feel free to comment below: