Ceremonial Matcha Kit

A traditional matcha kit, perfect as a special gift to self, or to someone who loves Japanese tea.

The matcha kit includes:

• 1 x Shiga ware ceramic matcha bowl (chawan) - choice of yellow or green
• 1 x bamboo matcha whisk (chasen)
• 1 x bamboo matcha scoop (chashaku)
• 1 x ceremonial grade matcha tin - choice of brand
• 1 x washi textured cardboard box for easy storage

Shigaraki ware (信楽焼) is a traditional Japanese pottery style originating from Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, with a history dating back to the 13th century. Known for its earthy aesthetics, Shigaraki ware is made from high-iron clay that produces warm hues when wood-fired in an anagama or noborigama kiln. This ware is highly valued for its unrefined beauty and is often used for tea wares, vases, and the famous tanuki (raccoon dog) statues.

Both options of matcha are ceremonial grade, for enjoying as a morning wake-me-up drink, or with sweets in the afternoon. Sourced from the famed Uji tea region in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The names of the blends are organically grown Yū (優 - meaning "excellence") and conventionally grown Unryu (雲龍  - "cloud dragon"). Since both are smooth and flavourful, with very little bitterness, you can choose which you prefer with the set of choice.

Matcha is finely powdered green tea, which is mixed into water, as opposed to sencha, which is steeped and served without the leaves. This means that with matcha the whole tea leaf is consumed. Matcha requires careful cultivation and preparation techniques, including shade growing, hand picking, de-stemming and de-veining of the leaf, as well as fine grinding.

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How to prepare matcha:

1. Scoop a small amount (the capacity of a bamboo scoop - 2g to 4g depending on personal preference) of matcha powder into a tea bowl or wide cup. Ensure it is wide enough to whisk the tea. To remove any clumps of powder, use a sieve to sift it.
2. Pour 150ml of boiling water into a separate container to cool it down to 80°C.
3. Once cooled, mix the water with the matcha and whisk vigorously, ideally using a chasen (bamboo whisk) using a zig-zag (W-shape) motion for up to 60 seconds, or until a fine froth has formed and the tea is bright green.
4. Drink the matcha straight from the tea bowl or large cup.
5. Matcha is wonderful when paired with something sweet - select your favourite small sweet snack as an accompaniment.

If you prefer matcha as a latte, start with making your matcha paste, then stir that into a bowl with hot milk and whisk as usual.

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TAKADA TEA HOUSE CHANOKA was established in 1900 by Tsunekiti Takada, who at the time established his first tea garden. Masahiro Takada, the current 4th generation tea master behind the family brand, was born and grew up in Uji, the birthplace of Japanese tea and continues to expand the family business to new markets.

The Takada family have dedicated their life towards growing and marketing innovative tea products. Not only does the family respect old traditions and ways of preparing Japanese tea, but it also actively seeks to introduce new types of tea products to incorporate into modern lifestyles. Using the highest quality tea remains a cornerstone of Takada Tea House Chanoka approach, to ensure each product offers something unique.