How To Use A Matcha Whisk

If you’ve been to a hip cafe or coffee shop any time in the last decade, you’ve likely seen matcha lattes and teas on the menu.

This vibrant green powdered tea can be used in everything from drinks to baking to savory recipes thanks to its earthy and slightly bitter flavor profile.

However, one of the most traditional ways to prepare and enjoy matcha is through a tea ceremony.

The modern tea ceremony was developed in the 16th century in Japan by Sen no Rikyū. One of the most important tools in a matcha ceremony is the matcha whisk, or chasen.

Since matcha powder doesn’t dissolve in water, it requires a special tool to help froth and suspend it in water, while incorporating air so that you can enjoy your drink without any lumps of powder.

The matcha whisk creates a beautiful, smooth texture that’s frothy and rich.

So, how do you use a matcha whisk? You’ll want to make a smooth paste of matcha and water then vigorously whisk it in a zigzag pattern until it’s frothy. You don’t need to press the matcha whisk into the bottom of the bowl. Focus mostly on whisking the surface of your matcha mix, though it’s totally fine if the tines scrape the bottom a bit.

Read on to discover what matcha tea is, what a matcha whisk is and why you should use one, and how to best use a matcha whisk!

What Is A Matcha Tea?

Before we dive into why you should buy and use a matcha whisk, we should probably figure out what matcha is.

This powdered tea comes from the same Camellia sinensis plant as the standard loose-leaf green tea that you would see on grocery store shelves.

However, what sets it apart is how it’s grown and processed to produce the most flavorful and nutrient-dense green tea available.

To produce the brilliant green hue that characterizes matcha tea, the farmers who grow it cover the plants about 20-30 days before harvest.

By covering the plants, it forces the leaves to produce more chlorophyll. This compound is what gives this tea its bright green color and many health benefits. This process also increases the amino acid content of the tea.

The processing of matcha requires the removal of the stems and veins of the plant and then grinding the whole leaf into a fine powder.

Unlike regular green tea, where you steep and then discard the leaves, when you drink matcha tea you consume the whole leaf!

What Is A Matcha Whisk And Why Should You Use One?

To get into the importance of a matcha whisk, we have to look at the history of matcha tea and the role that the whisk plays in making it a beautiful drinking experience.

This beautiful tea has a long tradition in Chinese culture, with its origins dating all the way back to the Tang Dynasty between the 7th to 10th centuries.

It was brought to Japan in the 1100s, where a beautiful ceremony was designed around preparing, sharing, and drinking this tea.

The modern tea ceremony dates back to the 16th century and was designed by Sen no Rikyū to be a calming ritual of intention and reflection. One of the key components of this ritual is the matcha whisk, which is called a chasen in Japan.

This tool is made from a single piece of bamboo and helps suspend the matcha in water.

When you look at a matcha whisk, you will notice it has a short handle and dozens of thin, springy tines that help to froth the matcha so that you get a beautiful drink that doesn’t have any clumps of unincorporated matcha powder.

Matcha lovers know that this process is key to enjoying a perfect cup of matcha because the oxygenation of the matcha helps release the distinct aromas into the foam on the top of the liquid.

Metal whisks don’t have the same ability to break down the clumps and help the matcha stay suspended in the water. It never actually dissolves, so you need a tool that will froth and whisk it into the water effectively.

Bamboo is also chosen for other important reasons:

• The whisk doesn’t impact the flavor of the matcha or leave behind any tastes or smells that could ruin your enjoyment.
• The bamboo tines are flexible, which allows them to bend and move as you whisk, thus preventing damage to your matcha bowl or mug.
• Bamboo is an incredibly durable material, so your whisk can last a long time. Just rinse it with warm water after use and allow it to fully dry before storing it.

It’s completely normal for the matcha powder to settle as you drink your cup. All you have to do is give it a quick swirl as you drink to keep it suspended.

If you want to pick up your own matcha whisk, make sure you buy one that is made from bamboo since it will last longer and oxygenate the matcha the best.

Here are a couple of whisks that I like:

BambooWorx Matcha Whisk Set

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This set comes with a whisk, a scoop, and a tea spoon so that you can set yourself up for a beautiful matcha ceremony.

Jade Leaf Traditional Matcha Starter Set

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This set is perfect for folks who are new to matcha since it comes with a matcha whisk, a tea sifter, a scoop, and a handbook to help you make the best matcha.

Dr. Weil Matcha Kari – Complete Matcha Tea Set

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This set is a little more expensive.

However, that’s because in addition to a matcha whisk, a scoop, and a stainless steel sifter it also includes a tin of organic ceremonial matcha tea, a ceramic stoneware bowl, and a whisk holder.

You’ll have everything you need to start your own tea ceremony!

How To Best Use A Matcha Whisk

To get the frothiest, most flavorful and amazing matcha drink, you will want to try whisking your matcha. If you’ve never done it before, don’t be intimidated! It is a simple process that doesn’t typically take more than a minute.

Including this step in your matcha experience, even if you’re preparing your matcha for a latte, can really enhance the flavor.

It also allows you to take a mindful moment as you focus on the method!

You will likely want to invest in a special matcha bowl for this purpose (I’d recommend this one), but you can use any deep, roughly hand-sized bowl that you have available.

A couple of quick tips for the best matcha whisking results:

• Avoid circular whisking as this movement doesn’t oxygenate the tea enough and you won’t end up with the beautiful, frothy bubbles on top. The best way to whisk is either back and forth or in a zigzag (like a W) movement.
• You don’t need to press the matcha whisk into the bottom of the bowl. Focus mostly on whisking the surface of your matcha mix, though it’s totally fine if the tines scrape the bottom a bit.
• If you want more foam, you can whisk your matcha twice, once before drinking and again when you’re about halfway through your cup.

Follow these steps to whisk your matcha like a pro (your taste buds will thank you)!

1. In your chosen bowl, add 1-2 spoonfuls of matcha tea and a small amount of water, typically, about 1 teaspoon or so.
2. Gently stir this mixture into a paste with your matcha whisk. This step is the preparation, not the actual whisking process, but it will help make sure your final product doesn’t have any lumps of unfrothed matcha.
3. Once you have made a nice, smooth paste, you can add some hot water. The amount will depend on how strong you want your tea, so look up some ratios beforehand to find the one that suits your taste buds.
4. After you have added your water, it’s time to get whisking. You will want the whisking movement to come from your wrist, not your elbow. Be as firm and energetic as you possibly can! The faster and more firmly you whisk, the better the final matcha will be.
5. Continue whisking for about 20-30 seconds or until you have a great build-up of bubbles on top of your tea.
6. After you’ve whisked, stop and see how much foam you’ve built up. The better quality the matcha, the more foam there will be. Go back and whisk a little longer if you want more.
7. Sit down and slowly sip your matcha and enjoy the flavors. Maybe think about the intention you set at the beginning of your preparation.

Here’s an additional video covering how to make this delicious drink!

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