There are several factors that can affect the taste of your organic Japanese matcha tea. The condition of your matcha whisk or chasen is a predominant factor among these. A thinning or broken whisk may fail to blend or remove the clumps in your tea smoothly.
The bamboo matcha whisk is made from a natural method. So, it’s obvious that are susceptible to deterioration. So how frequently do we need to get our matcha whisk replaced?
According to sources, a handcrafted matcha whisk can be used for up to 10 uses only. However, this may not be a workable approach for those of us who want to enjoy our matcha tea daily.
At Aki Matcha, we know that a matcha tea whisk can last up to 2 years if cared for properly. There is a recommended way on how to care for your matcha whisk correctly – from using to cleaning to storing it.
So, all the tea-lovers looking to prolong the longevity of their matcha whisk, read this till the end. This is your guide!
Before we jump on to the caring part, let’s brush up on some basics.
What Is A Matcha Whisk Or Chasen?
The matcha whisk AKA chasen, has always been a significant component of matcha – especially in Japanese tea ceremonies. The traditional matcha whisk was specially crafted with dozens of bamboo prongs.
With these prongs, the Japanese used to yield smooth and frothy matcha easily. The rick frothy matcha layers mellow the bitterness of matcha – bringing its delicate nuances to light.
The Process Of Making The Matcha Whisk
First, the craftsman peels the top half of the bamboo shoot and softens it. Then, he carefully sections the bamboo into 12 to 24 splines using a steel knife.
Next, the maker removes the bamboo’s inner flesh and then splits each spline into smaller tines. He further thins and curls the inside of the bristles. Finally, he binds the spline into threads and perfects it into the whisk shape.
All these meticulous steps are performed by skilled craftsmen with very simple tools. This is what makes the traditional matcha bamboo whisk expensive.
Now let’s dive into how to take care of your matcha whisk!
Cleaning The Matcha Whisk Before Use
Don’t use the new bamboo matcha whisk right away after buying it. Clean it properly before using it.
To clean the matcha whisk, soak it in a bowl (preferably chawan) of hot water for 2-3 minutes. Once you do so, you will notice that the tines at the core of the whisk loosen and unfolds a little.
Do not worry – this is perfectly normal. In fact, this will assist you in achieving a perfectly blended matcha tea with a rich layer of foam.
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Note – It is also a good practice to soak the matcha whisk in warm water for a few minutes before every usage. This will help to soften the bristles and also improve the elasticity of the matcha whisk. |
What Is The Right Way To Use The Matcha Whisk?
Here are some of the things you must pay heed to while whisking your tea with the matcha whisk –
- Always move the matcha whisk in soft yet quick M or W-shaped motions
- Avoid touching the bottom of the chawan bowl. You do not want to be hitting or scrapping the whisk against the bowl. This will break the bristles of the bamboo whisk easily.
- Always whisk the matcha tea with the whisk slightly suspended in the liquid.
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A quick tip to ease your matcha whisking effort – put the matcha powder in the bowl first before adding any water. This will naturally kick off the mixing of the matcha powder and water. |
How To Wash The Matcha Whisk?
Once you are done whisking the tea, soak the matcha whisk in clean warm water for a few seconds. Then rinse it a little to make sure there is no matcha powder residue on the whisk.
If you don’t clean the whisk properly, it will develop molds. And this will obviously shorten the life of your matcha whisk.
Another significant note is to never use soap or a dishwasher to clean the matcha whisk. This can easily damage your precious whisk.
How To Dry And Store The Matcha Whisk Properly?
After cleaning the matcha whisk, it should be dried quickly and correctly. The best way to dry your whisk is to put it on the whisk holder. This will help to maintain the original shape of the whisk. In case you don’t have a matcha whisk holder, leave the whisk to dry on its handle.
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Note – This is not the most recommended way to dry the matcha whisk. Excess water may collect in the handle and lead to the development of molds. Hence, we strongly advise that you get a whisk holder to prolong the lifespan of your matcha whisk. |
Never store the whisk back into its original packaging. Doing so will force the whisk into its initial shape.
During the winter months, pat the damp matcha whisk with a cloth before leaving it to dry. This will help dry the whisk a little faster.
Once the whisk dries properly, store it in a cool, dry place. This will prevent molds from growing.
Proper Care For Matcha Whisk Goes A Long Way
Follow all the above steps to take proper care of your matcha whisk. This will make sure you will be able to enjoy using the whisk without losing its effectiveness for about 1 to 2 years.
Looking For The Premium Grade Organic Matcha Green Tea Powder?
Then, head over to Aki Matcha now! We strive to bring the ultimate freshness of matcha to our customers – and that’s why we source our organic ceremonial grade matcha directly from Japan. Our matcha powder is 100% pure and delicious even when brewed with just filtered water.
Delight all your senses with the light, and refreshing taste of matcha!
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