Best matcha tea sets for ceremonial-grade perfection every time
Coffee has dominated the mornings of many for centuries.
The often intense, bitter, earthy and highly caffeinated substance was arguably popularised on the level we know today by Starbucks back in 1971, before becoming a daily staple for tired commuters, stressed students and those in need of a simple, palette-cleansing and energising pick-me-up.
Yet modern mornings are slowly turning luminescent green, since the obsession with all things matcha is showing no signs of slowing down. Like coffee, matcha has ancient origins which significantly predate its contemporary popularisation. Nevertheless, the last few years have witnessed a revival of the traditional Japanese drink, which is artisinally crafted from finely ground green tea leaves.
Though matcha is certainly being monopolised by large-scale brands typically known for coffee, many enthusiasts are slowly developing a deep appreciation for crafting the speciality drink at home. Unlike coffee beans, a small 50g natsume of matcha goes an incredibly long way – one teaspoon or chashaku at a time. Once you have a bamboo whisk and an appropriate vessel for preparation, all you need is hot water and your milk of choice to craft a perfect matcha latte.
What’s more, on average, a cup of matcha contains about 70mg of caffeine, in comparison to 100-140mg in a cup of coffee. It’s also widely argued that matcha offers a ‘cleaner’ caffeine hit thanks to its slow-release nature, as well as the fact that it’s packed full of amino acids like L-theanine and antioxidants to help keep you naturally energised throughout the day. No more coffee jitters, headaches or palpitations.
What is a matcha ceremony?
A matcha ceremony is a Japanese ritual that involves preparing and serving matcha green tea. It’s also known as chanoyu, which means “hot water for tea”. Traditionally presided over by a tea master, the ritualistic practice promotes mindfulness, harmony, respect and attention to detail while offering an opportunity for quiet reflection. It’s a way to ground oneself in the present while consuming something wholesome and energising.
What is ceremonial-grade matcha?
Ceremonial-grade matcha is a high-quality Japanese green tea that’s used in traditional tea ceremonies. It’s made from shade-grown tea leaves that are stone-ground into a powder and is known for having a rich, creamy flavour with subtle sweetness. The shading encourages the production of chlorophyll and L-theanine, which give matcha its bright green colour and sweet flavour. Unless you’re baking or cooking, we don’t recommend using culinary-grade matcha at home, as it has a more astringent, less immediately palatable taste.
What does a traditional ceremonial matcha set consist of?
- Matcha whisk (chasen): Crafted from bamboo, the springy prongs on a traditional matcha chasen are designed to not just whisk your matcha, but froth it. The intricate handheld utensil with its many fine prongs effectively incorporates air into the matcha mixture for that classic frothy texture, and also prevents matcha powder from clumping in water to craft a smooth, clean brew. The flexibility of the bristles prevents your matcha chawan from becoming damaged.
- Matcha whisk holder (naoshi or kusenaoshi): This small ceramic accessory ensures the chasen dries quickly and retains its shape.
- Matcha scoop (chashaku): Also crafted from bamboo, the hockey stick-like traditional matcha serving spoon features a curved end to correctly scoop and portion the matcha powder. Though the amount of matcha served via the chashaku depends on individual preference, according to Moya Matcha, traditional thin tea or “usucha” is prepared with one chashaku of matcha and approximately 75-100ml of hot water for that perfect frothy texture on the surface of the matcha. Some matcha sets come with holders or rests for your chashaku.
- Matcha bowl (chawan): A matcha chawan, which is Japanese for tea bowl, is the vessel within which matcha is prepared and whisked. It is traditionally drunk directly after preparation, though some contemporary matcha lovers use it solely for preparation before pouring the matcha into their mug of choice, alongside some frothed milk or additional syrup for added sweetness.
- Matcha pot (natsume): This is a tea caddy that protects matcha powder from light, heat, and humidity. Some matcha powders are sealed inside foil pouches which can then be emptied into accompanying natsumes. Others come in simple pouches that can be decanted into your own natsume of choice.
- Matcha sifter (furui): Though most matcha powder is already very fine, a furui can be used for additional sifting to ensure the smoothest blend possible by removing any and all clumps from the powder.
- Linen cloth (chakin): This simple cloth is sued to dry your chawan after warming it with hot water before making your matcha and drying it once preparation is complete. When it comes to delicate, traditional chawans, it’s typically recommended to clean it simply with just water and a chakin.
We’ve curated a selection of the best matcha tea sets available to purchase in the UK for ceremonial-grade perfection with each and every sip.
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