Matcha Set

Origin of Matcha

Matcha, originating from the Wei and Jin dynasties in China, involved grinding tea leaves into powder and whisking them into hot water. This unique tea-drinking method gained popularity during the Tang and Song dynasties, evolving into the art of “Doucha,” or tea competitions. Participants would compete in making and tasting matcha and composing poems about tea, creating a distinctive tea culture. However, by the Ming dynasty, brewing loose-leaf tea replaced matcha as the mainstream tea practice.

Japanese Matcha Tea

Today, traditional matcha techniques are nearly obsolete in China. The matcha powder consumed in China is typically industrially produced and used as an ingredient rather than being prepared traditionally. This once-declining tea-drinking method was adopted and flourished in Japan, becoming an integral part of Japanese tea culture. Consequently, many modern Chinese people mistakenly believe matcha is Japanese. The term “matcha” itself was transmitted from China to Japan.

Matcha Tea Benefits

Since matcha involves consuming the entire ground tea leaf, it provides more nutrients than regular brewed tea. The flavor of matcha is more intense and rich. Additionally, it can enhance the flavor profile of other foods.

Matcha Tea Set Tools

A Traditional Matcha Tea Set typically includes the following tools:

1. Chasen/ Tea Whisk: A bamboo tea whisk mixes matcha powder with hot water to create a frothy tea.
2. Chawan: A tea bowl used to prepare and drink matcha.
3. Chashaku: A bamboo scoop used to measure the matcha powder.
4. Natsume: A small container used to store matcha powder.

How to Make Matcha Tea?

The traditional method involves harvesting young tea leaves in spring, steaming them, and forming them into tea cakes. When ready to consume, the tea cakes are roasted over a fire, ground into powder using a natural stone mill, poured into a tea bowl, and whisked with hot water using a Chasen to create foam before drinking.

Pre-ground tea powder is available, which can be directly whisked into tea using a chasen.

How to Make Matcha Green Tea Without a Whisk?

If you don’t have a Chasen, you can use a hand mixer as a substitute. However, be mindful of the material of your bowl to avoid damaging it with the mixer. Using professional tools is still the best option for making matcha.