Making Matcha tea

How to succeed

It takes a little effort to make matcha, but a little work pays off! Matcha is not brewed in tea bags or from tea leaves, but dissolved in water as a powder. The end result is smooth and the taste is perfect.

Follow our instructions and enjoy the tea experience with matcha. At the end of the article, we'll give you some tips on how to make tea with every kitchen utensil if you don't have the traditional ones.

Instructions

1 serving

You will need:

A wide bowl or mug
Chasen whisk
1 measure of matcha (e.g. Riku Matcha)
3 dl water

Preparation:

1. Boil the water to a hot simmer. Pour half into the container you are using and let it warm up. Put the chasen in the water to soften as well. Let the rest of the water cool for about 2 minutes to bring the temperature down to around 80 degrees.
   
   
2. Pour the water out of the container and dry it carefully so that the matcha powder does not stick to the bottom. Measure the matcha powder into a bowl. You can strain the powder if you wish.
   
   
3. Pour a small amount of water into the bowl over the matcha powder. Stir with the chasen until the powder and water are mixed smoothly. Do not press the whisk against the bottom, as the chasen may break.
   
   
4. Add the rest of the water. Use a little water for strong tea and more for mild.
   
   
5. Whisk the tea back and forth rapidly with the chasen until a creamy foam forms on the surface. Avoid touching the edges of the pot with the chasen to avoid damaging it.

Enjoy immediately.

Tip! You can prepare the matcha in a separate container and as a final step pour it in your favourite mug. 


Tools for making tea

• Chasen

Chasen is a bamboo whisk, slightly bell-shaped. Its main function is to remove lumps and foam the surface of the tea. An ordinary whisk will also do the job, as will a milk frother. In an emergency, a fork will do the job, although it may not produce as delicious a froth.

• Matcha measure

The measure is made of bamboo and looks a bit like a miniature hockey stick. It is traditionally used to measure the amount of powder. With a teaspoon, one measure is 0,25 teaspoon.

With a matcha measuring spoon you dispense just the right amount of powder.

• No tools? No problem

If you don't want to buy all the tools you need to make it right away, you can easily replace them with everyday tools. You'll have a great tea, even if you miss out on some of the traditions of brewing.

Store matcha correctly

Once you've opened a packet of matcha and gotten a taste of ground tea, you'll want to store it properly. That way, your tea experience will last longer and taste just as good every time. Follow these easy ways to store your tea as well as possible.

• A tight package

Matcha green tea is sold as a powder. When you open the package, you may notice that the green tea powder is prone to clumping. In addition, an unopened package leaves the flavours of the tea at the mercy of air and moisture. So always close the container as tightly as possible after each use. This prevents the treat from escaping.

• Out of the sun

The most important thing is to keep the tea tin out of direct sunlight. Even if the container is tightly sealed, the sun's rays will effectively evaporate the aromas of the matcha. The best way is to place it in a cupboard with a door.

• Cold and room temperature

If you are storing matcha for some time before first use, store the unopened package in the refrigerator. The tea will last longer in the cold. After the first opening, room temperature is just as suitable for storage, as a tea packet opened in the fridge is likely to absorb flavours from other foods.

• The kitchen is not ideal

The kitchen would seem a natural place to store tea, but it has its problems. The kitchen is where spices and other foodstuffs are stored, the flavours of which can also be carried unnoticed by powdered tea. A dedicated tea enthusiast might prefer to put a packet of matcha on a bookshelf.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your matcha retains its flavour until the last cup of tea. Usually, green tea will keep for about a year from the time it is brewed. But of course, shelf life also depends on how often you dare not to make a hot, frothy cup of matcha!