Matcha Tools: What You Need to Make Matcha at Home
Quick answer: The basic matcha tools are a bamboo whisk (chasen), a wide matcha bowl (chawan), a bamboo scoop (chashaku), a small sieve and hot water that is not boiling. For a matcha latte at home, an electric milk frother or a jar with a tight lid can replace the whisk.
Matcha is a powder, not a tea bag, so it needs a little help to turn into a smooth, frothy drink. That is why matcha comes with its own set of tools. This guide explains each of the matcha tools, which ones you really need, cheap alternatives you already have at home, and how to look after them. If you are new to matcha, start with what matcha is.
Matcha tools
Whisk, bowl, scoop and sieve: what each one does and what you can use instead.
The Essential Matcha Tools
| Tool | Japanese name | What it does | Do you need it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bamboo whisk | Chasen | Breaks up the powder and makes the froth | Very useful for traditional matcha |
| Matcha bowl | Chawan | Wide bowl that gives the whisk room to move | Any wide bowl works |
| Bamboo scoop | Chashaku | Measures the powder | A small teaspoon works |
| Small sieve | Furui | Removes lumps before you add water | Recommended |
| Kettle or thermometer | – | Hot water that is not boiling | Yes, in any form |
| Whisk holder | Kusenaoshi | Helps the whisk keep its shape while drying | Optional |
Chasen: the bamboo whisk
The chasen is cut from a single piece of bamboo into many fine prongs. Whisking quickly with it suspends the powder in the water and creates the light froth on top. The Global Japanese Tea Association recommends soaking it briefly in warm water before use so the prongs soften[1].
Chawan: the matcha bowl
A chawan is wide and flat at the bottom, so the whisk can move freely. A deep mug makes whisking hard and the powder sticks to the sides. Any wide bowl of about 300 to 400 ml can do the job.
Chashaku: the bamboo scoop
A heaped chashaku holds about 1 g of matcha, and a thin bowl (usucha) usually uses two scoops[2]. The amount depends on how full the scoop is, so after a few cups you will know your own measure.
Sieve
Matcha powder is very fine and forms small lumps. Passing it through a small sieve before adding water gives a smoother cup. The Global Japanese Tea Association notes that the matcha should be sifted beforehand[1].
Matcha Tools Alternatives at Home
- Instead of a chasen: an electric milk frother or a small jar with a tight lid that you shake[1].
- Instead of a chawan: a wide cereal or soup bowl.
- Instead of a chashaku: a small teaspoon. About half a teaspoon is roughly 1 g.
- Instead of a matcha sieve: a fine tea strainer.
- Instead of a thermometer: boil the water and let it rest for a few minutes before using it.
How to Use the Tools: Step by Step
- Warm the bowl with a little hot water, soak the whisk tip in it, then pour the water away and dry the bowl.
- Sift about 1 to 2 g of matcha (two scoops) into the bowl.
- Add a little hot water, not boiling, and stir gently into a smooth paste.
- Add the rest of the water (about 70 to 80 ml) and whisk quickly from the wrist in a zigzag (W or M) motion until froth forms[1].
- Drink it as it is, or pour it over hot or cold milk to make a matcha latte.
Matcha Latte Tools
For a latte you need fewer tools: matcha, a small jug or cup to mix it in, a milk frother and a glass. For an iced matcha latte, shaking the matcha with cold water in a closed jar works very well.
How to Clean and Store Matcha Tools
- Rinse the whisk in warm water right after use. Do not use soap, because bamboo absorbs it.
- Let the whisk dry in the open air, prongs down or on a whisk holder. Do not close it in a box while wet.
- Wipe the scoop dry with a cloth.
- Keep matcha powder in a closed container away from heat, light and moisture.
Do You Need Tools with Matcha Sachets?
If you use pre-measured sachets, you do not need a scoop or a scale. You still need some way to mix the powder: a whisk, a frother or a jar. Ready matcha latte mixes are different: they are made to dissolve with a spoon. Read more in matcha powder vs matcha latte mix.
Pre-measured matcha: no scoop needed
Lucarise Ceremonial Matcha comes in 1 g sachets (box of 30), so every cup has the same dose without a chashaku or scale. It is also available in 50 g and 200 g tins. For a ready latte, our matcha lattes dissolve with a spoon, no whisk needed.
Matcha Tools: Quick Questions
Do I need a bamboo whisk for matcha?
Not always. A bamboo whisk gives the best froth for traditional matcha, but an electric milk frother or a closed jar that you shake also works well, especially for lattes.
How many scoops of matcha per cup?
For a thin traditional bowl, about two chashaku scoops, roughly 1 to 2 g of matcha, with 70 to 80 ml of hot water.
Can I use an electric frother instead of a chasen?
Yes. A frother is fast and easy, especially for matcha lattes. A chasen gives a finer, more traditional froth.
How do I clean a matcha whisk?
Rinse it in warm water without soap right after use, then let it dry in the open air, ideally on a whisk holder.
Why does my matcha have lumps?
Usually because it was not sifted or the water was added all at once. Sift the powder and mix it into a paste with a little water first.
Sources
- Global Japanese Tea Association. How to prepare matcha. gjtea.org
- Nio Teas. Chashaku scoop size and how much matcha it holds. nioteas.com
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