The Many, Many Ways to Enjoy a Fresh & Delicious Cup of Matcha Tea

Although here at Tenzo, we love matcha and drink it on the daily, we know that not everyone feels that way. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, just like coffee and beer, matcha can be an acquired taste. We’ve found that once people give it a try, they’re hooked for life, but sometimes they need help getting over a hill. And, one of those hills is actually several small hills, matcha lumps and clumps. There’s nothing worse than going in for a soothing sip of your favorite green tea, only to find that your teeth are covered in green blobs... yikes. Even the most experienced matcha lover can fall prey to this matcha-making pitfall, so if you’re no novice but this sounds familiar, don’t feel bad. 

How to make matcha is something every matcha lover has wondered at some point or another. It’s an ancient ritual that is constantly being revamped and adapted to fit modern lifestyles. But, at the very core of it, making matcha is all about the same thing, creating a delicious beverage that fuels your body and mind with the best caffeine possible.  And, we are about to let you in on a secret that even the most devoted matcha makers might not be privy to: Using a sifter. Thanks to electrostatic energy, even after thorough whisking, matcha clumps sometimes stick together. But sifting beforehand eliminates this problem. It’s one simple step that makes a world’s difference in your matcha experience. If you’re making matcha without sifting it first, you’re missing out. 

One important thing to understand about matcha is that it is a suspension. This means that no matter how aggressively you whisk or shake your matcha, it will never completely dissolve into the water. And, this is why your clumps persist and also why you’ll find matcha settled at the bottom if you leave it for too long. You can use a sifter specifically made for matcha, otherwise known as a furui, or you can use whatever sifter you have lying around in your kitchen. Regardless of what you use to sift it, sifting the matcha before you mix it removes the clumps and creates a light, airy texture that is much easier to stir into your water. But what do you do after you sift? 

Making Matcha With a Bamboo Whisk

Using a bamboo whisk is the most classic way to prepare matcha, and it’s likely what most people are familiar with. Although each recipe is different, depending on what type of matcha you’re trying to make (i.e a matcha shot or a matcha iced tea), we can certainly walk you through the basics. To make a matcha with a whisk, first prep your matcha by sifting it, then follow these steps. 

1. Add half a teaspoon of matcha ( 1 scoop with Tenzo scooper) to 2 ounces of warm water

2. Gently stir the tip of the whisk in the hot water to soften the bamboo tines, making the whisk flexible and springy 

3. Begin to whisk more vigorously, in an M and W motion, and continue until matcha is incorporated into the water

4. Add any additional water/milk   

Making Matcha With an Electric Whisk

This is a great way to make matcha a little faster. Our electric whisk is especially handy if you’re trying to make a matcha latte with foam, but it works just as well for a run-of-the-mill matcha hot tea. This makes a matcha shot, but simply pour over milk for a matcha latte or check out our recipe page for some more complex option. And of course, don’t forget to sift. 

1. Add half a teaspoon of matcha to 2 ounces of warm water 

2. Insert electric whisk so that the mixer is just submerged

3. Hold the button down to begin whisking and slowly bring it to the bottom of the cup

4. Add any additional milk/water

Making Matcha With The Tenzo Shaker

Our matcha shaker was created for tea lovers on-the-go but it works just as well from the comfort of your own kitchen as it does in the gym or out on the trails. As with all of our matcha making methods, this option just makes a shot of matcha. You can transfer to a cup or mug to add additional ingredients, but this is perfect, as-is, for a matcha pre-workout. However,  if you want to enjoy your matcha a litter slower, just add some cool water. 

1. Add half a teaspoon of matcha to 2 ounces of water

2. Twist cap to seal matcha and water in the bottle

3. Shake vigorously until matcha is incorporated into the water