Japanese tea set: the essential utensils

Would you like to prepare Japanese tea at home, but don't know what utensils to buy to make tea in the traditional way?

Be aware that the preparation of Japanese green tea is very different from the preparation of black tea that we are used to drinking in the West; therefore, there are several points to consider when putting together a tea set that is suited to your personal taste for tasting.

That's why today I invite you to discover now the different utensils used to prepare Japanese green tea, so you can create your own tea set!

What is a Japanese tea set?

In the West, we are more familiar with English-style tea sets, designed for brewing black tea: white, uniform, and made of porcelain, often accompanied by milk and sugar pots.

But what distinguishes the tea set we are familiar with from the Japanese tea set?

Firstly, Japanese tea sets are generally made from earthenware, ceramic, or stoneware. Porcelain is reserved for certain items only, such as saucers. It is also noticeable that pottery tends to be darker in colour (often in shades of gray or brown) and features textured effects and patterns rather than a plain finish.

For the Japanese, it is not necessary for the teapot, cups, and utensils to all have the same aesthetic, as if they were part of a set. It is even considered good manners to offer each guest a unique cup, so that everyone feels they are being treated with the respect they deserve.

Tea pots for making Japanese tea

Among the tools used to prepare Japanese tea, the first thing that comes to mind is the various teapots available.

• The most common teapot is called a kyusu. Rather small (with an average capacity of 300ml), it is often realised from terracotta. It is easily identifiable by its side handle. It is a very practical teapot because it often has a built-in filter, which allows you to pour the tea down to the last drop without finding any leaves in your cup!
• The second type of teapot commonly used in Japan is the dobin. It is a larger teapot than the kyusu with bamboo or wicker handles, which is used when there are more guests.
• Finally, the last common type of teapot is the tetsubin. This cast iron teapot was created based on Asian water kettles under Western influence. Very durable, it is a precious object that can be kept for a lifetime. Ideal for preparing teas with larger leaves such as bancha.

Japanese tea accessories

Once you have chosen your teapot, you can consider three other main types of accessories:

• Cups: Japanese teacups have no handles and hold approximately 120 ml. This capacity is suitable for preparing Japanese green tea, which is generally infused in less water than black tea. Traditional cups with high rims are called yunomi.
• Saucers: called chataku, they have a smaller size than in the West. They are traditionally made from lacquered wood or very high-quality porcelain. Saucers add a significant visual dimension to the multisensory experience of tasting a good tea, so they should not be overlooked.
• The measuring spoon: called a sami, it is a spoon, often made of fine wood such as peach, cherry, or camphor, used to measure tea and observe its volume. It generally has a capacity of between 2 and 5g.

With all these traditional utensils, it is possible to recreate the experience of preparing delicious green tea, according to traditional Japanese methods.

Utensils for preparing matcha tea

Another type of tea set is essential to have in your collection in order to prepare all Japanese teas: a matcha set!

Yes, matcha is a powdered tea, traditionally prepared during the Japanese tea ceremony chanoyu, and its preparation requires specific utensils.

These mainly include:

• the chawan, or matcha bowl. This is a bowl with high sides and a flat bottom, designed to make it easier to whisk matcha tea and keep it warm.
• the chasen, or bamboo whisk. The whisk is used to mix hot water with tea powder to create an emulsion, which forms a thin layer of froth on the surface of the tea. The chasen has an average of 80 to 100 strands and can be golden or brown in colour.
• the chashaku, or bamboo scoop. This long, thin scoop is used to accurately measure the quantity of matcha powder poured into the matcha bowl. To prepare a light bowl of matcha, use 2 heaped spoons, and 3 spoons for a strong matcha.

To complete this matcha set, it is common to add a naoshi, a whisk holder for the bamboo whisk. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, it extends the life of the precious chasen. The set can also be completed with a natsume, a box used to store matcha. Traditionally lacquered and decorated with traditional gold motifs, it is a work of art in its own right.

Now that you know the utensils needed to prepare Japanese tea, I invite you to discover the matcha utensils that I offer to my community. Made by enthusiastic artisans and realised by hand, they will accompany you during your organic matcha tastings.

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