Matcha

How to prepare delicious Matcha (instructions are for Usucha of superior quality)

Necessary items: Matcha, matchawan (Matcha bowl), chasen (bamboo whisk), chashaku ( bamboo spoon )


1.	Place the chasen (whisk) into the matchawan (bowl). Pour hot water into the bowl to warm up the cup and the whisk for about 10 minutes.

2.	Discard the hot water that was used to warm up the whisk and bowl. Fill Matcha powder into the bowl. Use two chashaku of powdered tea (about 2 g). Of course, the amount may vary according to your taste. 2 g sounds like very little, but it is sufficient since it is powdered tea.

3.	The picture shows what 2 g of superior Matcha should look like in the bowl. The powdered green tea has a fresh green color.

4.	When you look very closely, you might detect tiny lumps in your Maccha powder. If so, do not yet pour hot water into the cup, since this might cause the lumps to stay. First use a very small amount of cold water on the powder and stir it with the whisk. Use only as much water as necessary to stir the powder into a thick paste.

5.	By producing a paste first you will destroy all lumps and will be able to prepare a smooth and delicious Maccha.

6.	Pour the hot water into the bowl. Use about 60 ml -70 ml (1/4 cup) of water at a temperature around 80° - 90° C (176° - 194° F). Now use the whisk to stir. The handle of the whisk should be held firmly with your hand while your wrist causes your hand to make rapid ' jerking ' movements. Move the whisk as if you were writing the letter 'm' into the bowl. The tip of the whisk should never touch the bottom of the bowl.

	Proper way of holding the whisk The dominant hand should hold the whisk with the index, middle and ring finger firmly gripping the bamboo handle while the other hand should be supporting the bowl to prevent it from slipping. Rather than sitting down on a chair when you whisk the tea it might be easier to do so in a standing position so your arm may be straight.

7.	Ready to be served!
	When the surface of the tea looks like a creamy broth with foam on top that consists of many tiny bubbles (similar to Cappuccino) your Matcha is ready to be served. Though you may now think that it is quite difficult to prepare Matcha, please enjoy the mellow sweetness of Matcha in a relaxed attitude. Eating some sweets with the tea might enhance the flavor of your Matcha.