Tools of the Trade: A Curated Guide of Matcha Brewing Equipment

We’re a little biased, but we have to say, our carefully picked organic matcha is extremely versatile. If you like, you can devote a block of time to brewing it traditional-style, or you can make it on the go in literally seconds.

But you can’t make great matcha if you don’t have great tools. So we’ve curated a list of the finest matcha-brewing gear available. Whether you enjoy your matcha at home, at work, or anywhere in between, we’ll help you make the best dang cup of matcha you’ve ever had.

Traditional

Making matcha at home with traditional tools is a peculiar, delicate process. It requires not only a practiced hand, but also the finest in matcha gear. We talked about this gear in our brew guide, and now, we’ll help get it into your hands.

Chasen (bamboo whisk)

The chasen is a whisk with bamboo tines. It is used to stir the matcha by hand and achieve the ideal texture. Many purists argue that you can only achieve matcha perfection by using the chasen. (We’ll leave it up to you to decide.)

Get it: We love BambooMN’s whisk and spoon set for its aesthetics and usability. These are durable tools that are perfect for both the matcha novice and the veteran sipper.

Chashaku (bamboo spoon)

The chashaku is used for precisely measuring the matcha. Using a chashaku instead of a measuring cup or regular spoon will allow for less cleanup time, and we find it’s perfect for stirring beverages (from matcha to coffee and everything else). As a plus, it looks great.

Get it: This comes with BambooMN’s set.

Chawan (matcha bowl)

The chawan is a bowl specially crafted for making tea. Its delicate and exact form help to create a smooth, full-bodied cup of matcha.

Get it: We recommend purchasing a chawan that was crafted in Japan.

Chakin (tea cloth)

The chakin is a linen cloth used to clean the chawan. As opposed to a regular household dishcloth, the chakin is soft and nonabrasive. This is an important characteristic, as the chakan shouldn’t be scratched by a cloth that’s too rough.

Get it: A fine linen chakin will work well for basic brewing purposes.

Furui (sifter)

Sifting is an often overlooked aspect of the matcha brewing process. If you don’t sift your matcha, you’re likely to get clumps of tea in the resulting cup. The sifter breaks down the clumps back into particles for a creamy, silken cup.

Get it: As with the chawan, a furui made in Japan will be of the highest quality.

Non-traditional

If you’re a matcha maverick or simply don’t have the time or resources to invest in traditional preparation, try the non-traditional method. We outlined it in our brew guide, and it requires less tools. If done well, this method will create a similarly smooth cup of tea that you’ll enjoy.

Milk frother

While purists may wince at the suggestion, a high-quality milk frother can produce a wonderful cup of matcha in a fraction of the time.

Chawan or smooth bowl

The chawan is still ideal here, as it is made with tea in mind. However, you can use a similarly shaped, smooth bowl and achieve a similar result.

Chashaku or measuring spoon

Having a chashaku is preferred, but you may opt to use a measuring spoon. We do, however, recommend using a wooden spoon to stir your tea if you need to do so.

Furui or sieve

The sifter is still optional, but we recommend it for optimum results. A clumpy cup isn’t the most enjoyable.

Express

One of our favorite methods for making matcha, the express method is perfect for on-the-go situations. We’ve gathered a complete list of everything you need to make cold matcha in a snap.

A chilled 16.9 fl. oz. water bottle

We recommend using a reusable glass bottle with chilled, filtered water. Alternatively, you can use your favorite bottled water brand. This is a great way to enjoy matcha on the go. Grab a bottle of water, get your easy-to-carry pack of MatchaSticks™, and create a revitalizing cup in literally seconds.

Get it: Any supermarket, gas station, or convenience store.

Your hands

These are ideal for shaking the bottle and creating a vigorous mixture of tea and water for the most refreshing, energizing drink you’ll ever have.

Get it: We recommend using the hands attached to your wrists.

---

---