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Whether you want to prepare matcha the traditional way or whip up a modern latte every morning, you’ll need a few items on hand.
Whisk
Having a whisk is especially important when making matcha. It helps mix your powder into the warm water, ensuring there are no clumps. You can choose between a traditional whisk like this one (also called a chasen) or an electric one.
Matcha bowl
You don’t have to purchase a dedicated matcha bowl, but as a daily matcha drinker, this is a must for me. They are a great size for whisking the matcha together with a traditional whisk and an electric one, and the lip helps pour the matcha into your drinking cup. This is the one I use.
Electric kettle
“Water temperature is crucial,” Nagano says. “Matcha’s taste is mainly determined by one, theanine (umami/sweetness), two, catechins (astringency) and three, caffeine (bitterness).”
He further explains that catechins and caffeine in drinks increase as the temperature rises above 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit). That’s why your matcha powder never comes into contact with water that exceeds that temperature. This is why we recommend using a temperature-controlled electric kettle, which allows you to select the exact temperature needed.
“To enjoy strong umami/sweetness with minimal astringency and bitterness, avoid water above 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit),” Nagano says. “The lower the temperature, the sweeter and more umami-forward the matcha, but below about 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit), foam becomes poor, diminishing the foam-enjoyment aspect.”
Because of this delicate balance, Nagano says that a temperature range between 70 and 80 degrees Celsius (158 and 176 degrees Fahrenheit) is ideal for matcha. I recently tested 14 electric kettles to find my favorites.
Sifter
You don’t need a fancy sifter to get the job done.
Like the matcha bowl, this isn’t a must-have per se, but it is preferred. Running your matcha through a handheld sifter helps remove any clumps and prepares it for whisking. You can find numerous affordable options online that can also be used in baking, such as this one I currently use.
Milk frother
Milk froth can help enhance the flavor of your matcha.
If you plan on making matcha lattes, a milk frother will help. Here is our list of the best milk frothers. Pro tip: If you choose the handheld one, you can also use it to whisk your matcha powder.
Many of the brands on our matcha list also offer full matcha starter bundles, including ones that have traditional whisks and electric whisks. They have everything you’ll need to start making matcha at home (besides the electric kettle).
