Why matcha is made in a bowl
Matcha is whisked, not steeped, and a whisk needs room to move. A matcha bowl is wide and has a flat bottom, so the bamboo whisk can travel quickly back and forth and lift the tea into a fine foam. In a mug, the same powder tends to clump against the sides and the whisk has nowhere to go.
A ceramic matcha bowl made in Japan
Each bowl is shaped and glazed by hand in Japan, so no two are exactly alike. Ceramic holds heat, which keeps the tea warm while you drink, and its weight keeps the bowl steady while you whisk. The glaze, the shape of the rim and the foot ring are what make each one its own.
Using and caring for your bowl
Warm the bowl with hot water first, pour it out and wipe it dry, then sift in your matcha. After drinking, most people rinse the bowl in warm water and let it air dry. Pair it with a bamboo matcha whisk, and if you are new to whisking, our step-by-step guide to making matcha at home walks you through the first bowl.