Preparation of Matcha |
Enjoy making a bowl of tea!
With a little bit of training you can make a fine bowl of tea，and you will find it easier than you thought.
What you need to have |
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Easy way to make a bowl of tea
(1) Sifting of matcha tea powder |
If you sift the matcha in advance it will dissolve more
easily.
Put the desired amount of matcha for one bowl into
the sifter.
Use either a chashaku tea spoon or a measuring spoon
to press
the tea
through the net of the sifter into the
prewarmed dry bowl. |
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(2) Preparation of hot water
It is important to use soft water. If such is to be bought, please select the softest natural mineral water.
Almost all water produced in Japan is soft water.
Tap water should be filtered in a water purifier. If you do not have a water purifier you may be able to evaporate eventual chlorine by boiling the water for a while in a pot without lid.
Whatever water used, it should be brought to the boiling point at least once and then cooled to the desired temperature.
＜Click here concerning suitable water for tea.＞
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(3) Guideline for making one bowl of tea
(Please adjust the amounts and temperature in accordance with your preferences.) |
| Amount of matcha |
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2 scoops by a chashaku, 1 scoop by an ordinary tea spoon or
1 flat
measureby the measuring spoon. Approx. 1.5 grams. |
| Amount of hot water |
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70 ml (about 2.4 ounce) of previously boiled water.
The measuring cup is
useful for this. |
Temperature of
hot
water |
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In winter, pour boiling water into the measuring cup once
for
a
temperature
of 75℃～85℃ (167?～185?).
In summer, pour boiling water into the measuring cup.
To reduce the water
temperature pour this water into another
vessel and
again back into
the measuring cup
for a temperature
of 70℃～80℃
(158?～176?). |
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(4) How to whisk the tea
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Place tea in the bowl, add hot water and mix with the chasen
tea whisk.
Raise then the chasen a little from the bottom and whip
vigorously
back and forth with the wrist and arm and avoid
swivelling
the tea
around.
When the tea is sufficiently aired and turned into a fine creamy
foam, slow down and move the chasen in the surface to remove
larger bobbles and to
make an even smooth surface.
Finally, turn the chasen slowly around the bowl and lift
it carefully from the center to produce a little mound. |
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By adding some ice cubes, you can turn the warm matcha into
a delicious ice tea. |
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Alternatively, you may obtain a result like this by not whisking so thoroughly.
Hold the tea whisk at a slight angle and whisk calmly back and forth with the wrist. The tips of the whisk should only touch the bottom of the bowl lightly, but equally. When satisfied, lift the whisk carefully in front of you. |
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