We all love a cup of hot frothy matcha tea.
The best thing about it is — as long as you have all the right utensils, it's super easy to make at home. For a small fraction of what you would be paying at a cafe, you can whisk yourself up a cup of hot matcha, iced matcha, matcha latte, or even a matcha cocktail!
So what are the five indispensable tools that any matcha lover needs?
The 5 Essential Tools For Preparing Matcha
1. Chawan
A chawan is a unique Japanese tea bowl that is used both for whisking and drinking matcha tea. A deep, wide chawan provides enough room for the chasen to move back and forth with ease, which is fundamental for producing froth and dissolving the matcha powder. The chawan's robust shape sits nicely in both hands.
During the traditional tea ceremony, guests share often share one chawan. Each participant will take a sip of the thick matcha, wipe the bowl, and pass it on to the next guest.
The chawan is the only utensil that is shared between the host and the tea ceremony guests. In this way, it is truly special.
Don't own a chawan yet? No problem! Just find a wide enough bowl that you feel comfortable drinking from.
2. Chasen
The chasen is also known as the matcha whisk. It is a unique tool hand-crafted out of a single piece of bamboo, especially for whisking matcha powder into the perfect consistency. A standard chasen has anywhere from 80 to 120 prongs.
While other matcha tools can potentially be substituted, we do not recommend replacing the chasen. It is an absolutely indispensable part of making matcha green tea.
However, if you do find yourself without a chasen, one thing we can recommend is shaken matcha. Sift some matcha powder into a jar or water bottle and shake it together with water until it is evenly dispersed. Although it will not produce the same iconic matcha texture and foam, it is nonetheless an excellent way of enjoying matcha on the go.
After using a chasen, always make sure to let it air dry.
Read more: What Is A Chasen?
3. Chashaku
A chashaku is a bamboo tea scoop used for measuring the proper amount of matcha powder. One full chashaku scoop of matcha is approximately1 gram. And one serving of matcha tea requires 2 grams of the green tea powder. The long elegant shape of the chashaku makes it easy to scoop the perfect amount of matcha each time.
Always properly dry your chashaku after each use.
If you don't own a chashaku, it is possible to replace it with a regular spoon. Just be careful with measuring the proper amount of matcha. Also, make sure that the spoon you use hasn't absorbed any other food smells, as this can contaminate the matcha.
4. Furui
A furui is a tea strainer. Naturally, the matcha powder may have some small clumps, which are hard to break up even after whisking or shaking. Sifting the vibrant green matcha powder beforehand will ensure that the matcha is then effortlessly whisked, creating the smoothest matcha beverage imaginable! Since matcha is an extremely fine powder, we recommend getting a fine sifter to match.
5. Chasen Kusenaoshi
A chasen kusenaoshi is a special tool for properly holding your chasen (tea whisk). You may have already noticed that this particular tool comes in an unusual shape. This shape is, in fact, the ideal for keeping your chasen as good as new and preventing it from shrinking. If properly cared for, your chasen can last you a long time, so we recommend investing in a chasen holder from the start. A shrunken chasen makes it all the harder to achieve that rich green foam!
6. Matcha!
The sixth secret ingredient is but, of course, the matcha green tea powder itself. It won't matter how proper your tea tools are unless the matcha is up to par. Of course, it doesn't have to be expensive or even ceremonial grade matcha.
The most important things to consider when buying matcha:
- It should be made in Japan.
- It should be a bright green color (a dull, swampy green is a definite no).
- The only ingredient should be matcha, which means no sugar, no flavorings, and no milk powder, etc.
Read more:
How To Prepare Matcha