Matcha means different things to different people
It can be anything from a casual encounter at a cafe to a lifelong journey studying Chanoyu.
Here, lets combine the two, and use the skills of chanoyu to make great matcha at home
What You’ll Need
- Chawan (tea bowl, or a medium sized bowl)
- Matcha (freshly sifted before each use)
- Chakin (tea towel, or a folded paper towel)
- Chashaku (tea scoop, or small spoon)
- Chasen (bamboo whisk)
- Hishaku (optional)
- Hot water (ideally about 170F)
Warm Your Tools
- Position the chawan so the front faces you
- Pour a small amount of hot water into your chawan
- Whisk the bowl gently with the chasen
- Slowly rotate the chawan in your hands until you feel the sides warm from the outside
- Pour out the water and dry the chawan. Make sure the chawan is dry, as any water will cause the matcha to clump
This helps three ways: It keeps the chawan warm so it can maintain temperature. The water on the chasen prevents it from getting stained by the matcha and it softens the tines, making them more flexible and less likely to break
Scoop Your Matcha
- Use the Chashaku to scoop 2 mounded heaps of matcha into the chawan. That equates to roughly 2 grams or 1 teaspoon
Make sure your matcha is freshly sifted. Otherwise it can lead to clumps in your tea
Whisk
- Pour about 3-4 oz. of water onto the tea.
- Hold the bowl steady with one hand and whisk in back-and-forth-motions with the chasen. Do not push it against the bottom as it will cause the whisk to break.
Speeding up and whisking longer will help you achieve more foam. Typically you want to make 40 strokes.
Sip Slowly
- Rotate the chawan clockwise twice, so that the 3:00 position is now facing you. It's important to not drink out of the front of the bowl or put your mouth there as it is a sign of disrespect to the artist who crafted the chawan.
- Drink up! It's widely accepted to slurp your last sip.
hot matcha latte
● 2g/4 scoops sifted matcha
● 4oz. hot water
● Whisk until smooth
● Add 6oz. steamed "milk"
● Sweeten to taste
minimal matcha latte
● 1g/2 scoops sifted matcha
● 3oz. hot water
● Whisk until smooth
● Add a few drops honey
● Add a splash of "milk"
● Whisk
iced matcha latte
● 2g/4 scoops sifted matcha
● 2oz. hot water, whisk
● Add 2oz. cold water, whisk
● Pour over ice
● Top with 6oz. cold foamed "milk" and sweetener of choice
iced matcha
● 2g/4 scoops sifted matcha
● 2oz. hot water, whisk (add sweetener here)
● Add 8oz. cold water, whisk
● Pour over ice
● Top with 6oz. cold foamed "milk" and sweetener of choice
● Experiment with adding yuzu syrup or anything fun!
