The Art of the Perfect Bowl: Your Matcha Toolkit & How to Spot Quality

Preparing matcha is a sensory experience—a quiet ritual that engages sight, sound, and smell. To elevate this practice from a simple drink to a moment of artistry, having the right tools and knowing what to look for is key. Let’s dive into the traditional toolkit and learn how to decode the signs of a truly high-quality matcha.

While you can make matcha with a jar and a vigorous shake, the traditional tools, or chadōgu, are designed to unlock its full potential.

• Chasen (Bamboo Whisk): The heart of the ritual. Its fine, delicate tines are crafted to whisk the matcha powder into a suspension, creating a luxurious, frothy microfoam that enhances the texture and flavor. A metal whisk can damage your bowl and won't create the same fine froth.

• Chawan (Matcha Bowl): A wide, ceramic bowl is essential. It provides ample space for the whisk to move freely and aerate the tea properly. The choice of chawan can also be a personal expression, with various shapes and glazes.

• Chashaku (Bamboo Scoop): This elegant scoop is the perfect measure for a consistent serving of matcha every time—typically one heaping scoop equals one serving (about 1 gram).

Having these tools isn't just about tradition; it's about honoring the tea and creating the most enjoyable and authentic experience possible.

Your eyes are the first judges of matcha quality. Here’s what to look for:

• The Colour Test:

  • High-Quality Matcha: Should be a vibrant, brilliant jade green. This indicates the tea leaves were shade-grown, carefully harvested, and stone-milled, preserving chlorophyll and nutrients.
  • Lower-Quality Matcha: Often appears in dull, yellowish, or brownish-green hues. This can be a sign of over-exposure to sunlight, older leaves, or processing methods that degrade quality.

• The Froth Test:

  • High-Quality Matcha: When whisked properly, it will form a dense, creamy layer of microfoam with tiny, uniform bubbles. This froth should be persistent and feel velvety on the tongue.
  • Lower-Quality Matcha: Will struggle to form froth. If it does, the bubbles will be large and airy, disappearing quickly and leaving a thin, watery tea underneath.

A bowl of Raw Bites Ceremonial Matcha, for instance, will showcase a stunning green hue and a froth so thick you could almost stand a whisk in it—a true mark of its premium grade.

Ready to master the art? Pair our premium Ceremonial Matcha with the right tools and experience the difference for yourself.