Making matcha at home is simple once you have the right bits. You do not need much, and most of it lasts for years. Here is exactly what goes in a matcha starter kit, what each piece does, and what you can skip when you are starting out.
What you actually need
The real essentials are the matcha itself and something to mix it smoothly. Everything else makes the job easier and more pleasant, but is optional.
- Matcha. Start with a culinary or everyday grade if you drink lattes, or a ceremonial grade if you want to drink it with just water. Not sure which, our ceremonial vs culinary guide explains the difference.
- A whisk. The traditional tool is a bamboo whisk, called a chasen. Its fine prongs break up clumps and build a smooth froth in a way a fork or spoon cannot. A small electric milk frother also works well and is quicker to clean.
- A bowl. A wide bowl (a chawan) gives the whisk room to move. Any wide cereal-style bowl will do to begin with.
With just those three you can make a good bowl of matcha today.
The nice-to-haves
Once you are hooked, a few extras make the ritual smoother:
- A sifter. Matcha clumps as it sits. Sifting it before you whisk is the single biggest fix for a lumpy drink.
- A scoop. A bamboo scoop (a chashaku) measures roughly the right amount, about one to two grams per cup, without reaching for a spoon.
- A whisk holder. A little stand keeps the bamboo whisk in shape and helps it dry, which makes it last longer.
- A frother. For iced lattes especially, an electric frother mixes matcha into cold milk fast.
How to use it all
The method takes a minute. Sift one to two grams of matcha into the bowl. Add a splash of hot water, around 80 degrees Celsius rather than boiling, which would scorch it. Whisk briskly in a zig-zag, not a circle, until the surface is smooth and foamy. Drink it as is, or pour it over hot or cold milk for a latte. The full step-by-step is in our cafe-quality matcha latte recipe.
Starter kit on a budget vs the full set
If you want the cheapest route in, buy a tin of matcha, a bamboo whisk and use a bowl you already own. If you would rather get everything in one go, a ready-made matcha kit bundles the whisk, scoop and often a bowl or sifter together, which usually works out tidier than buying each piece separately. Either way you are set for a long time: the tools are reusable and only the matcha runs out.
Where to get your matcha kit in the UAE
PERCUP stocks whisks, sifters, scoops, bowls and ready-made kits in the matcha accessories collection, with delivery across the UAE. Pair them with a tin from the matcha marketplace and you have everything you need to make cafe-style matcha at home.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to make matcha at home?
At a minimum: matcha powder, something to whisk it smooth (a bamboo whisk or an electric frother), and a wide bowl. A sifter and a scoop make it easier but are optional.
Do I need a bamboo whisk, or can I use a frother?
Either works. A bamboo whisk (chasen) gives the traditional froth and handles clumps well. An electric milk frother is faster and easier to clean, and is especially handy for iced lattes.
What kind of bowl should I use for matcha?
A wide, shallow bowl gives the whisk room to move and build foam. A traditional chawan is ideal, but any wide bowl works when you are starting out.
How much matcha do I use per cup?
About one to two grams, roughly half a teaspoon to a teaspoon, per cup. Use a little more for a stronger latte.
What is the best matcha starter kit?
A good starter kit includes a bamboo whisk, a scoop and ideally a sifter or bowl, plus a tin of matcha to go with it. Buying a ready-made kit is usually simpler than sourcing each piece on its own.
