Top 10 Best Matcha Tea Sets in 2020 (Bambooworx, Jade Leaf Matcha, and More)

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 Dysnasty (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!

Now that you've gotten a little background information about matcha tea sets, we're sure you're curious about our top picks! We've chosen them after intensively searching through reviews and ranking them based on included tools and materials. Take a look!

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 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 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 3 to 4 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!

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 oz to 4 oz 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 3:1.

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.

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. 

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.

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!

Matcha preparation and the tools surrounding it have a long, illustrious history. But, ultimately, these kits are not just for getting you started on the traditional tea ceremony methods – they’re also curated so that you can bring the taste of finely prepared tea to your home.

When choosing a matcha tea set, pay special attention to the quality of the whisk and what tools come with the set. Some implements can be exchanged for daily-use items but the whisk cannot – so make sure to doublecheck the details. Once you’ve picked your set, get ready to enjoy a frothy bowl of matcha the traditional way. 

Author: Kristina Tan

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