People often ask me how to make matcha properly at home. The good news is that it is very simple. You don't need to perform a full Japanese tea ceremony to enjoy a wonderful bowl of matcha. With good quality matcha powder, a bamboo whisk and hot (not boiling) water, you can make a delicious cup in just a few minutes.
Preparing Matcha at Home
You will need:
- 1.5–2g matcha (about 1½ bamboo teaspoons)
- 70ml hot water (around 80°C)
- A chawan (tea bowl)
- A bamboo chasen (whisk)
Method
1. Add the matcha
Sift 1.5–2g of matcha into your tea bowl using a small tea strainer.
2. Add the water
Pour 70ml of hot water at around 80°C into the bowl. Boiling water can make matcha taste more bitter, so I always recommend letting the water cool slightly first.
3. Whisk
Using a bamboo chasen, whisk the matcha vigorously for around 15 seconds until it is smooth and frothy. Move the whisk quickly in a vertical zigzag motion, rather than stirring in a circular motion.
4. Enjoy
Your matcha is now ready to drink. If you like, enjoy it with a Japanese sweet such as Wasanbon before drinking the tea. I always find this makes the experience even more enjoyable.
A Few Tips
Soak your chasen
Before making matcha, I recommend standing your bamboo chasen in cold water for around five minutes. This helps the tines become more flexible, which makes whisking easier and helps prevent damage. It also helps prevent the bamboo from being stained green by the matcha.
Sift your matcha
If your matcha has formed small lumps, sift it into the tea bowl before adding the water. I recommend using a small tea strainer and gently pushing the matcha through with a spoon. This will help you make a smoother bowl of matcha.
Care for your chasen
After making matcha, rinse your chasen with hot water and leave it to dry on a chasen stand. This helps it keep its shape and will help it last longer.
Which Matcha Should I Use?
From our collection, I particularly recommend:
- Keiko Uchida Organic Matcha – Wabisuke or Kurenai
- Ippodo – Sayaka no Mukashi or Shoin no Mukashi
- Marukyu Koyamaen – Kinrin or Unkaku
- Hoshino Seichaen – Ike no shiro or Seiju
I usually drink three or four cups of matcha throughout the day. It is refreshing, calming and one of my favourite ways to enjoy tea.
I hope this helps you enjoy making matcha at home. For me, preparing a bowl of matcha is always a chance to slow down for a few minutes and enjoy a peaceful moment.
If you have any questions about making matcha at home, please feel free to email us at hello@keikouchida.com. We are always happy to help you choose the right matcha or tea ware and share our love of Japanese tea.