How to Drink Matcha Green Tea

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: July 19, 2024 Tested

Using matcha is a great way to upgrade your tea time! Native to Japanese culture, matcha is powdered tea that's packed with antioxidants useful for boosting metabolism and preventing cancer, among other health benefits. It's quite simple to make. The basic method is to add boiled water to a small bowl with a bit of matcha in it. After carefully whisking the tea, it's ready to drink! ^{[1]
X
Research source}

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Making Matcha Green Tea the Traditional Way

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Drink-Matcha-Green-Tea-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Drink-Matcha-Green-Tea-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Drink-Matcha-Green-Tea-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/aid10372068-v4-728px-Drink-Matcha-Green-Tea-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

A matcha bowl is a traditional tea drinking bowl of Japanese culture. It's small and usually doesn't have handles. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
A chasen is a Japanese tea whisking tool made of bamboo. ^{[3]
X
Research source} This step warms up the bowl and softens the whisk's bamboo tines. As a result, the chasen becomes flexible and springy for effective whisking.

Advertisement
Dump it into the kitchen sink. Dry the inside of the bowl with a clean, dry cloth.
4
Scoop 2 tsp (1.5 heaping teaspoons or 10 g) of matcha into a fine mesh strainer. If you use a chashaku, the scoop should be round. A chashaku is a Japanese tea ladle (also known as a teaspoon). ^{[4]
X
Research source} The matcha should reach the point where the chashaku starts to bend.
- For thin matcha ("Usucha" in Japanese), use 1 tsp. (5 g) of matcha and 2 oz. (60 ml) of boiling water.
- For thick matcha ("Koicha" in Japanese), use 2 tsp. (10 g) of matcha and 1.4 oz. (41.4 ml) of boiling water.
This gets rid of the clumps. As a result, your tea will be smooth enough to enjoy drinking. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
Let the water cool down for a minute. Aim for 185F or 85C.
7
Add a small amount of hot water into the matcha bowl and whisk it. Take the chasen in one hand and the rim of the tea bowl in the other hand. Carefully blend together the matcha and hot water until you have a solid mixture. ^{[6]
X
Research source}
- For Usucha, whisk the matcha and hot water briskly. Move in a quick, back-and-forth motion as if you were drawing the letter W or M. Use your wrist instead of your arm. Whisk the surface of the tea when it has small bubbles until a thick froth appears.
- For Koicha, move in a slow kneading motion from left to right as well as up and down. Since you're not aiming for froth, gently rotate the whisk in a 360 motion to achieve a thick, smooth, and even consistency.
Toward the end of whisking, draw a circle and move the chasen to the bowl's center to finish the whisking. The center will have a slightly higher fluffy foam as a result. Your matcha green tea is ready!
You just need warm water and a dry, clean cloth for this step. Thoroughly rinse the chasen and matcha bowl with warm water after each use. Make sure you stand the chasen on its base so the tines are sticking up in the air. Just wipe off the chashaku with the cloth.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Crafting a Matcha Latte for Sweetness

Download Article

1
Bring 3/4 cup (180 ml) of milk to a bare simmer in a small pot. You can use unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, or cow milk. Make sure the small pot is over medium-high heat. Don't let it boil. ^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Bring 1/4 cup (60 ml) of water to a boil in a different pot at the same time.
If you want a thicker latte, add 2 tsp. (10 g). A heatproof cup can be a tea or coffee mug.
3
Add in 1/4 cup (60 ml) of boiling water as you whisk it. Whisk in a slightly slow, rotating motion. For more froth, whisk in the shape of the letter M or W. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Use an electric hand whisker for a smooth and even consistency. Be careful not to whisk too fast with this tool.
Slightly tip the cup to create more foam. Sweeten the tea with agave syrup if you'd like. Now, you can enjoy your matcha latte!