Matcha tea is growing increasingly popular all around the world, and we at How Matcha are big fans as well! To begin with, it provides a plethora of health benefits! It’s high in antioxidants, can aid weight loss, and has beneficial effects on the liver and brain.

It’s also a very versatile tea, as it can be consumed as a traditional tea, as a delicious iced matcha tea, as a luscious matcha latte, as an energizing matcha shot, and much more. You can even make use of matcha powder in your everyday baking!

However, one of the most appealing aspects of Matcha tea for us is the way it is prepared in the traditional manner making use of our high-quality ceremonial grade matcha tea powders.

Matcha tea preparation via a traditional Japanese tea ceremony is, in fact, a meditation practice in and of itself! Slowly preparing and drinking your beverage in accordance with ancient Japanese customs is quite soothing, calming and can be a great way to unwind after a long day.

You’ll need a matcha tea set to perform this traditional ceremony at home, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

how-to-make-matcha-tea-easy-steps, Matcha Tea Set

What is a Matcha Tea Set?

These four important tools must be included in a Matcha tea set:

Tea Bowl: You will drink your tea from a tea bowl. These bowls are larger and deeper than traditional teacups and are the traditional vessel from which matcha green tea is consumed during a tea ceremony.

Macha Whisk: In Japanese, a chasen is a single whisk used for matcha tea preparation. The matcha whisk is crucial since it will aid in the uniform mixing of the matcha powder and hot water. If the matcha powder is not whisked up properly it will clump, which is not something you want to have happen.

The matcha whisk’s design will also assist you in creating small air balls that create the foam that gives your tea a more appealing appearance and a lighter mouthfeel. A single piece of bamboo with consistent “teeth” is used to make the whisk.

Matcha Whisk Holder: A chasen – or matcha whisk- holder, usually made of ceramic, is recommended for keeping the shape of the whisk, but it’s also a great way to display it when it is not in use, as it’s an elegant looking kitchen tool in itself.

Matcha Spoon: The last piece of equipment you’ll need is a bamboo spoon known as chashaku in Japanese. The chashaku is used to add matcha powder to your bowl, as you may have guessed.

You’ll be able to make matcha tea at home like a true Japanese tea expert with these four tools! And a matcha tea set from How Matcha includes them all, as well as the ceremonial grade matcha tea powders of your choice so that as soon as your matcha tea set arrives in the post you can begin enjoying tea ceremonies right away.

Matcha Latte, Matcha Tea Kit

The Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony Explained

You won’t find a better environment to learn about cultural customs than in a country where history is ingrained in daily life. The Japanese tea ceremony, known as ‘chado,”sado,’ or even ‘chanoyu,’ all of which loosely translate to ‘the way of tea,’ is a complex art.

It’s a one-of-a-kind thing that you won’t find anyplace else on the planet. For both the host and the guest, it’s a spiritual and healing experience.

You may have seen photographs of tea being served to visitors in ryokans before; it’s a common method to do so when visiting Japan. The Japanese tea ceremony can now be performed in a variety of ways, each with differing degrees of sophistication. And you can easily perform a Japanese tea ceremony at home.

A traditional tea ceremony can seem very complex, and in some ways that is true. After all, this is something that has been around for millennia and taken very seriously for just as long. However, once you have your own matcha tea set, and a supply of great ceremonial grade matcha tea powder you can perform your own simple tea ceremony at home whenever you have the time and inclination to do so.

Matcha

Performing A Simple Match Tea Ceremony

“The slow overcomes the swift,” Lao Tse declares in the Tao Te Ching. Slowing down has a lot of power. Mindfulness practices have been clinically proven to enhance our immune systems, reduce depression, improve mental sharpness, and treat chronic pain (even in little doses).

Tea rituals can also provide a great opportunity for us to regroup and destress while also providing a health benefit, even if done in under 15 minutes.

To perform a simple tea ceremony collect all of the necessary utensils, vessels, tea, and water. Take a deep breath and remember that the next few minutes are all about you, your senses, and your enjoyment. Create a peaceful and organized environment.

This stage gets increasingly important and sophisticated as you develop your own matcha tea ritual. You let go of the demands on our time and attention during this section of the ritual. The mind and body will become accustomed to this procedure over time and will begin to relax as soon as the preparation begins.

Place the matcha tea into the tea bowl using a matcha scoop. Get a whiff of the matcha tea powder and get a feel for the colour and texture. Next, heat your water. Use filtered or mineral water for a much more pure taste. Please do not use a microwave to heat your water or the instant hot water dispensers found in many offices. Bring your water to a boil in a kettle or on the stove.

matcha with black boba
210610_HowMatcha_36+R_RetouchV2_HiRes (2)-min

Use a small circular motion when pouring the water gently over the powder, allowing all of its flavours and aromas to awaken. As you do, whisk the mixture in a zig-zag – not circular – motion with your matcha whisk until it is smooth and frothy. If you want to add sweetener, do so before you add the water, but if you are adding milk, do so afterwards.

With your tea prepared, try to clear your mind and then sip it slowly. Allow yourself to enjoy the taste and this me-time that you really do deserve. As well as the knowledge that because matcha tea is full of healthy antioxidants you are benefitting your body as well as your mind.

Regularly practice your matcha tea ceremony and personalise it, remembering that it’s all about having fun. These simple actions can assist you in developing a healthy habit that will enhance your life and re-energize you to face the challenges of each day. Relax, smile, and savor the universe of flavors contained within each cup of matcha tea you consume.

Ready to start practicing your own matcha tea ceremony at home? Get started by ordering a high-quality matcha tea set from How Matcha – and some excellent matcha tea – today.

Dry tapioca pearls in white bowl for cooking bubble tea.

We'd love to hear from you!