How to make ceremonial matcha: advanced explanation
In this segment, we are going to learn how to make ceremonial matcha in detail, as a simple recipe isn't enough! If you follow these instructions step by step, it should be easy to make a great-tasting bowl of matcha tea. Without further ado, let's whisk 🍵🍃
How much ceremonial matcha to use
The first thing you may want to consider when it comes to ceremonial matcha preparation is the measurements.
While it is recommended to use a scale or a measuring spoon, this won’t always be necessary, particularly after you’ve been preparing matcha tea for a long time.
Before you start following the steps on how to prepare ceremonial matcha, we recommend you first learn the measurements of 1 teaspoon of matcha powder and about ½ cup of water. This should be a great ratio when making a normal bowl of matcha tea.
Sift
After measuring, the first real step of how to make ceremonial matcha involves sifting. While this step may not be completely necessary, it does make a difference when it comes to preparing a great-tasting bowl of matcha tea. As soon as the tin is opened and the matcha powder is exposed to humidity in the air, it will begin to form clumps. These clumps do not mean that the matcha has gone bad, but they will cause it to not mix as evenly into the water, so they should be removed.
The best way to do this is by running the powder through a sifter before your ceremonial matcha preparation. Just place the sifter over the matcha bowl and put in 1 teaspoon of matcha powder. Next, simply push the matcha through the sifter and the clumps will be taken care of.
Heat water & pour
Once you have a finely sifted powder at the bottom of your matcha bowl, you are ready to continue to the next step of how to make ceremonial matcha. You can now pour your water in and prepare to mix the water together with the powder.
When it comes to water, you will want to use 120ml or about half a cup of water with a temperature of between 140–175°F. Unlike leaf teas, matcha doesn’t “brew,” so temperature is less important, but it still does prefer a temperature within this range. If you use water that is too hot, the tea can get bitter, and if you use water that is too cold, you will have a harder time mixing the powder into the water.
Whisk
Once the hot water has been added to the powder, you are ready to continue to the most well-known step of how to make ceremonial matcha: the whisking.
You can start by gently stirring the matcha powder into the water, making sure it is all mixed in.
Scrape the sides of the bowl, and later the bottom. It's important to do this very gently because the matcha whisk can be fragile and prone to breaking if you rub it too hard against the side.
Next, you can begin to create the foam by whisking the matcha tea with your wrist in zigzag motions.
This technique takes a while to master, but once you get good at it, it should only take about 30 seconds for a beautiful foam to form on top.
This foam is not just for looks—it also gives the tea a smoother and creamier taste.
Serve & enjoy
The final step of how to make ceremonial matcha tea is serving and enjoying it. The traditional way to enjoy matcha tea is to simply drink it out of the matcha bowl. This is how it is done during the Japanese tea ceremony, and it can be a nice tradition to incorporate into your ceremonial matcha preparation ritual.
If you prefer to drink the matcha out of glasses, you can pour the tea from the bowl into glasses and divide it between you and your guest. For this, you may prefer to pour the tea over the sink, or whisk it in something that has a spout so it is easier to pour without making a mess.
Equipment required for ceremonial matcha preparation
As important as how to make ceremonial matcha is what Japanese teaware to use. Below we have made a list of the things you will need for your ceremonial matcha preparation in no particular order. We will also show you where you can find these tools if you don’t already have them at home.
Ceremonial matcha
You can’t even begin your ceremonial matcha preparation without the matcha powder itself.
When drinking matcha plain like this, it is important to go for the higher-quality stuff.
We recommend a super smooth Okumidori matcha like the Matcha Washimine or Nakai Superior Matcha.
By using matcha teas like this, you will greatly reduce the bitterness of your tea.
Matcha whisk
The most iconic and important tool of ceremonial matcha preparation is the matcha whisk.
This bamboo whisk, also called the chasen, is made out of a single piece of bamboo, and the 100 small bristles move through the water to aerate the tea and create that nice foam on top.
If you are planning on getting one tool for matcha preparation, it should be this. The chasen matcha whisk is the hardest tool to replace.
Chawan – Matcha bowl
The next tool for ceremonial matcha preparation is the clay matcha bowl or chawan.
The chawan is used in the tea ceremony to prepare matcha for the guest. It usually has a beautiful pattern on the side that is meant to be turned towards the guest so they can see the most beautiful part of the bowl as you drink it.
This reinforces the principle of “respect,” one of the 4 key principles of the Japanese tea ceremony. If you want to learn more about the bowl, you can read the full guide 👉 Learn all you need to know about Matcha Whisk.
The chawan is made out of thick heavy clay, which conveys a sense of importance as it demands the drinker hold it with both hands. This focuses attention away from distractions and toward the tea itself. The thick clay also retains heat well, keeping the tea warm. The tea master preheats the clay before preparing the tea to ensure that the matcha stays warm.
The design of the chawan is more cylindrical, with higher sides that make it easier to whisk without spilling. Having this bowl is a crucial step in how to prepare ceremonial matcha.
Sifter
Another seldom-talked-about tool for ceremonial matcha preparation is the sifter or furui. This tool is not often seen in the tea ceremony as the matcha powder is usually sifted beforehand. These tools are easy enough to find, and they ensure your matcha mixes more evenly into the water. If you really want to take your ceremonial matcha preparation to the next level, it’s recommended to get one.
How to prepare ceremonial matcha without a whisk
While the chasen matcha whisk is the best tool to make matcha tea, if you don’t have one, it shouldn’t be an excuse to not make delicious bowls of ceremonial matcha. There are a few tools that can work, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Before going into detail, check out our complete video on the topic 👇
Milk frother
A milk frother is a good replacement, but it can cost as much as (if not more than) a bamboo whisk and doesn’t work quite as well. If you already have one at home, you should use it, but if not, it’s better to invest in the chasen.
A jar
You can also shake matcha in a jar to prepare it. This technique is great for creating foam on top, but it can leave clumps that are not very pleasant to drink. If you prepare matcha in a shaker jar, make sure you do not skip the sifting step!
Metal whisk
You can use a metal whisk, but it does not work as well as the bamboo one. The metal bristles slice through the water and don’t aerate the tea as much. They also create a harsh noise that disrupts the quiet matcha ritual. This is why it’s best to stick with the traditional bamboo whisk.
How to drink ceremonial matcha
Now that we’ve learned how to make ceremonial matcha tea, it’s time to talk about how to drink it. It’s not as simple as just throwing back a glass—there are a lot of things you need to look for.
The sip of matcha lasts just a few seconds, but in that time you’ll want to assess aroma, texture, flavor, and finish. Don’t try to do it all at once; to get the tasting notes, you need to deconstruct it and look at the constituent parts.
What makes matcha ceremonial grade
This is a controversial term in the world of matcha, as it has no legal definition. We use it to differentiate matcha meant for plain drinking vs. matcha meant for lattes and baking.
If a matcha is meant for lattes, it is not fair to drink it plain to assess the quality. This matcha is made with a less labor-intensive process so the price can be lower.
How to make a matcha latte with ceremonial matcha
There are no rules when it comes to how to use ceremonial matcha. While some may say it is wasteful to use it in matcha lattes, if you prefer the flavor, it’s up to you.
To learn how to make a matcha latte with ceremonial matcha, you can read our guide 👉 How to Make a Matcha Latte and just substitute the latte matcha powder for ceremonial matcha.
How to store ceremonial matcha
Now that we’ve learned how to make ceremonial matcha tea, it’s also important to learn how to store it.
Matcha is incredibly sensitive to light, heat, and humidity, and the quality will deteriorate quickly if you don’t store it properly.
You’ll want to keep it in an airtight, opaque container in a cool, dry place away from other odors.
For the complete guide on how to store ceremonial matcha, you can read this article 👉 How to Store Matcha.
