Matcha has long been appreciated for its multiple health benefits, including promoting brain activity, weight loss, and improving alertness. Making the beverage can be difficult, though, when the powder is so fine and doesn't dissolve well in water. A matcha tea set with specially designed tools for making the perfect drink comes in handy here.
Maybe you're just looking to make your daily cup of green tea nice and smooth, or maybe you're curious about the Japanese Tea Ceremony - we've got you covered with all the information you need when choosing your set. Read on for more information about what sets made the cut!
Quick List - Top Matcha Tea Sets
Jade Leaf Matcha
Traditional Tools for a Perfect Cup of Ceremonial Matcha
TEANAGOO
Complete Matcha Set With Handcrafted Bamboo Tools and Ceramic Bowls
I am a Certified Tea Sommelier and blogger at teacachai.com with a business and fashion background. Besides drinking tea, I enjoy creating tea-infused recipes, cocktails/mocktails, teaching workshops and sharing all about tea. I got into tea at a young age and have always been super passionate about it!
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Before going over our choices, we'd like to give you a little bit of background about matcha tea sets and the traditions surrounding it. Powdered green tea was first developed in China during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 A.D.) and was introduced to Japan through the Buddhist monk, Myoan Eisai in 1191.
Afterwards, new ways of growing green tea were created within the country and the resulting beverage was enjoyed by the religious and imperial elite. It wasn't until the 1500s where we began to see the beginnings of what would become today's traditional tea ceremony.
The modern-day Japanese Tea Ceremony, known by multiple names – Sado, Chado, or Chanoyu, was developed in the Muromachi period of Japanese history, spanning from 1336 to 1573. Sen-no-Rikyu, arguably the most famous figure associated with the tradition, identified four principles that remain the backbone of the tea ceremony today.
The 4 principles of the tea ceremony are:
Wa – Harmony
Kei – Respect
Sei – Purity
Jaku - Tranquility
However, the most important concept of the Japanese tea ceremony is to remember ichigo-ichie – that the present moment is fleeting and can only be enjoyed once.
The tea ceremony is about performance, elegant and precise movements, and the enjoyment of the seasons. In the past, it was used as a way to form political ties. In modern-day, it is a tradition and art form enjoyed by many to strengthen the bonds between people and achieve inner peace.
In Japanese schools, you will often find clubs dedicated to the craft, practicing frequently, and often holding performances in the spring. While on vacation, you can even find places to experience or learn how to perform the tea ceremony at traditional Buddhist temples or specialized schools.
The most famous schools, led by tea masters with a history spanning from the 16th century, are located in Kyoto and include Omotosenke, Urasenke, Mushanokojisenke. If you've got a Japan trip on your itinerary, see if you can participate in a ceremony!
With a matcha kit, you can enjoy learning and performing this special tradition in the confines of your own home. On lazy days, simply using the best tools for the job is also a benefit of purchasing one of these specialized sets.
As for how to practice tea ceremony the traditional way: we can't possibly summarize that here. Consider looking up some literature, enrolling in a class yourself, or consulting YouTube!
There are a couple of factors to consider when choosing a matcha tea set. Usually, it boils down to what's included, but you should also consider the quality of the make and how you take your drink. Take a look at our handy buying guide below!
First up is the matcha whisk, or chasen. Unlike the whisk you use for baking, this one is traditionally made of bamboo and has more than 100 strings (also sometimes referred to as "tines" or "prongs") to finely froth your drink.
The tea ladle, or chashaku, is also made of bamboo and is used as a measuring spoon for the matcha powder. Next is the tea bowl, or chawan, which is your mixing vessel and drinking cup. It is usually made of ceramic and designed to emphasize how each piece is unique and imperfect. They are usually switched out depending on the season and event.
These three items are commonly included in matcha tea sets. There are also sets that don’t include a tea bowl, so if you already own one or would like a different one, you can look for a set with just the ladle and whisk.
The single most important tool to make matcha is the chasen. It is really important to whisk matcha well because not only it dissolves the lumps, but it also adds air to create that beautiful froth and helps release aromas.
Another tool that I always use is a strainer. I use it to strain the powder into my bowl to make sure there will be absolutely no lumps in my matcha.
The first bamboo whisk created for the tea ceremony was also produced in the Muromachi period in a small town called Takayama, located in what is now Nara Prefecture. This intricately designed tool was specifically made to froth your drink while keeping the matcha bowl scratch-free.
Since the matcha whisk is nearly impossible to find a replacement for, you’ll want to find a good quality one that can last you a long time. To make sure it is of the utmost quality, pick one made of bamboo.
Traditionally, only one bamboo branch is used to carve a matcha whisk, and one bamboo tree can only produce three to four of them. Bamboo is a flexible and durable material that softens when wet, preventing it from scratching your mixing bowl.
They can be designed with strings ranging from 68 to 120. Since matcha powder is too fine to dissolve into hot water, these ultra-thin tines effectively aerate and separate the matcha particles to create a light, frothy texture. Some are as fine as 0.1 millimeters!
A great tip for caring for your chasen is to soak it in hot water to soften it before doing all that vigorous whisking. Even though they don't not last forever, it is important to take good care of them to avoid prongs cutting loose (and thus losing their whisking capabilities).
It is important to know that there are different qualities of chasen based on materials and number of prongs; the more prongs it has, the easier it will be to froth and the better foam you'll get.
There are two types of matcha styles you can prepare with a bamboo whisk: usucha (mild tea) or koicha (strong tea). Usucha, which is more common, is prepared with a higher hot water-to-matcha ratio. Depending on your particular tastes, the amount of hot water added can range from 2.4 ounces to 4 ounces or more, but the amount of powder remains around 2 to 3 matcha spoon scoops.
Koicha, strong tea, is made with more tea powder than water, producing a thick, syrup-like beverage. The ratio for water-to-tea is about 3 to 1.
Since mild tea is made with more water, whisks with strings ranging from 68 to 120 are good for mixing the matcha powder. For strong tea, a 16- to 48-string whisk is enough to get rid of clumping. If you want to use a bamboo whisk for both types of tea, a 64-string whisk is the perfect middle ground.
For most casual matcha drinkers - who will likely drink usucha - I recommend getting a whisk that has 64 prongs and up, which is good to make a frothy foam. It can also be used to make the eventual koicha (thicker, stronger matcha).
A whisk holder, or chasen kusenaoshi, is designed to hold your matcha whisk after each use. This little item is highly recommended. Even if you correctly store your whisk tines up, it can still mold because the water residue will puddle within the handle! The holder keeps the shape of the whisk for longer and facilitates draining – meaning you can use your whisk for longer.
We highly recommend looking for a kit with a whisk holder. The matcha whisk doesn’t last forever and will eventually wear down with each use. Storing it the right way is the best way to make it last for years to come.
A kusenaoshi is the best way to store a chasen to ensure long-term use because it will help retain its shape. If there's not one available, never store your whisk with the prongs facing down.
Instead, store it with the prongs facing up, but consider that it will lose its shape over time and might need to be replaced faster than if using a kusenaoshi.
Sometimes, a set may include some bonus items that are commonly used when making matcha but are not essential to the overall experience. The hand sifter, or chakoshi/furui, helps get rid of large clumps in the tea powder before you start whisking. A tea towel, or chakin, is used to wipe the chawan when preparing the tea.
Some sets also include trays or even packets of matcha powder so you don’t have to shop elsewhere! Be sure to check out our matcha powders article to make sure you’re getting the good stuff, though.
I find there's a huge difference when matcha is prepared with and without using a strainer. Using one visibly helps reduce the lumps that may form in the bottom of the bowl and create an unwanted texture that can ruin the experience.
But keep in mind that it will be a combination between straining the powder and whisking vigorously that will ultimately eliminate the lumps.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bamboo Whisk | Whisk Type | Whisk Holder Included | Extra | |||||
1 | Bambooworx Matcha Whisk Set | ![]() | Handcrafted Bamboo Tools for Authentic Matcha Preparation | unknown | ||||
2 | Jade Leaf Matcha Traditional Matcha Starter Set | ![]() | Traditional Tools for a Perfect Cup of Ceremonial Matcha | unknown | Includes Handbook | |||
3 | TEANAGOO Japanese Matcha Ceremony Set N Series 7pcs/set Deep Space | ![]() | Complete Matcha Set With Handcrafted Bamboo Tools and Ceramic Bowls | Usucha | Includes Tea Cloth | |||
4 | TangPin Tea Matcha Set 380ml | ![]() | Elegant Matcha Set With Ceramic Bowl and Bamboo Tools | unknown | ||||
5 | Joiish 10-Pcs Matcha Kit Set | ![]() | Complete 10-Piece Set for Authentic Japanese Matcha Preparation | Usucha | Includes Tea Towel and Mat | |||
6 | Buucup Matcha Whisk Set | ![]() | Elegant Matcha Set With Emerald Glazed Bowl and Handcrafted Tools | Usucha | Includes Sifter | |||
7 | TEANAGOO Japanese Matcha Ceremony Set, 8pcs/set, Charcoal Grey|TG-N17 | ![]() | Elegant Matcha Set With Pouring Spout and Complete Accessories | Usucha | unknown | |||
8 | Ochcahser Matcha Set | ![]() | Elegant Matcha Set With Artistic Glazed Bowl and Functional Tools | Usucha | ||||
9 | DWEHIXBUY Japanese Tea Set (7pcs) Matcha Whisk Set | ![]() | Complete Matcha Set With Transparent Glass Bowl and Handmade Bamboo Whisk | Usucha | Includes Tea Cloth and Sifter | |||
10 | ELIMTEC Matcha Whisk Set and Bowl | ![]() | Complete Matcha Set With Transparent Glass Bowl and Handmade Bamboo Whisk | unknown | Includes Tea Cloth, Electric Stirrer |
This matcha tea set features handcrafted bamboo tools designed to enhance the preparation of ceremonial matcha. The set includes a bamboo whisk (chasen) for creating a frothy texture, a bamboo scoop (chashaku) for precise powder measurement, and a bamboo spoon for stirring. Each component is made from 100% natural bamboo, ensuring a pure and eco-friendly experience.
The whisk is engineered to produce optimal froth and crema, while the scoop and spoon facilitate easy and accurate preparation. The entire set is finished with vegetable oil for added durability and is free from varnishes and chemicals. Ideal for those looking to embrace traditional matcha practices, this set provides all the essential tools to make a smooth and flavorful cup of matcha tea.
Bamboo Whisk | |
---|---|
Whisk Type | unknown |
Whisk Holder Included |
Extra | Includes Handbook |
---|
This traditional matcha starter set includes essential tools for preparing ceremonial matcha, featuring a bamboo whisk (chasen), bamboo scoop (chashaku), and a stainless steel sifter. It also comes with a step-by-step guide, designed to facilitate an authentic matcha experience.
Ideal for both newcomers and seasoned matcha enthusiasts, the set ensures a smooth preparation process with its well-crafted utensils. The bamboo whisk and scoop are sustainably sourced, while the stainless steel sifter guarantees a consistent texture for your matcha. The included full-color handbook simplifies the preparation, making it a thoughtful gift or a practical addition to any tea lover’s collection.
Bamboo Whisk | |
---|---|
Whisk Type | unknown |
Whisk Holder Included |
Extra | Includes Tea Cloth |
---|
Bamboo Whisk | |
---|---|
Whisk Type | Usucha |
Whisk Holder Included |
This matcha tea set includes a 380ml glass bowl, bamboo whisk (chasen), bamboo scoop (chashaku), and a ceramic whisk holder (naoshi). The set is designed to provide a comprehensive matcha preparation experience with high-quality, functional components.
The glass bowl features a sleek design and ample capacity for traditional matcha preparation, while the bamboo tools ensure a smooth and authentic whisking process. The ceramic whisk holder helps maintain the whisk’s shape and extends its lifespan. Suitable for both personal use and gifting, this set combines modern aesthetics with practical functionality, catering to enthusiasts seeking a refined matcha tea experience.
Bamboo Whisk | |
---|---|
Whisk Type | unknown |
Whisk Holder Included |
Extra | Includes Tea Towel and Mat |
---|
Bamboo Whisk | |
---|---|
Whisk Type | Usucha |
Whisk Holder Included |
Bamboo Whisk | |
---|---|
Whisk Type | Usucha |
Whisk Holder Included |
Extra | unknown |
---|
Bamboo Whisk | |
---|---|
Whisk Type | Usucha |
Whisk Holder Included |
Bamboo Whisk | |
---|---|
Whisk Type | Usucha |
Whisk Holder Included |
Extra | Includes Tea Cloth and Sifter |
---|
The set's components are constructed from high-quality materials, with a focus on durability and functionality. The bamboo whisk, finished with vegetable oil for added longevity, and the porcelain whisk holder ensure that the tools remain in excellent condition. This set is suitable for both beginners and experienced matcha enthusiasts, providing a complete and user-friendly setup for creating the perfect matcha tea.
Bamboo Whisk | |
---|---|
Whisk Type | Usucha |
Whisk Holder Included |
Extra | Includes Tea Cloth, Electric Stirrer |
---|
Bamboo Whisk | |
---|---|
Whisk Type | unknown |
Whisk Holder Included |
The world of tea is a vast one. From matcha to white tea to teas for when you’re feeling down - we’ve got you covered!
No. 1: Bambooworx|Matcha Whisk Set
No. 2: Jade Leaf Matcha|Traditional Matcha Starter Set
No. 3: TEANAGOO|Japanese Matcha Ceremony Set N Series 7pcs/set Deep Space
No. 4: TangPin Tea|Matcha Set 380ml
No. 5: Joiish|10-Pcs Matcha Kit Set
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