- A Japanese tea set is made of earthenware, ceramic, or stoneware, in dark, textured tones.
- Three classic teapots: the kyusu (with side handle), the dobin, and the cast-iron tetsubin.
- Accessories: handleless yunomi cups, chataku saucers, measuring spoon.
- For matcha: chawan bowl, bamboo chasen whisk, and chashaku spoon.
- Having the right equipment changes the experience of preparing and tasting tea.
You want to prepare Japanese tea at home, but don't know which utensils to buy to make tea in the traditional way?
Keep in mind that preparing Japanese green tea is very different from preparing the black tea we are used to drinking in the West; there are also several things to know to build a set suited to your personal tasting.
That's why today I invite you to discover the different utensils used to prepare Japanese green tea, and to create your own Japanese tea set!
What is a Japanese tea set?
In the West, we are more familiar with English-style tea sets, intended for preparing black tea: white, uniform, and made of porcelain, often accompanied by milk and sugar pots.
But what distinguishes the tea set we know well from the Japanese tea set?
First, Japanese tea sets are generally made from earthenware, ceramic, or stoneware. Porcelain, on the other hand, is mostly reserved for certain objects only, such as saucers. You'll also notice that the pottery adopts darker colors (often in gray or brown tones) and features textured effects and patterns, rather than a uniform finish.
For Japanese people, it isn't necessary for the teapot, cups, and all the utensils to share the same aesthetic like a matching set. It is even considered good form to offer a unique cup to each guest, so that everyone feels treated with the consideration they deserve.
Teapots for preparing Japanese tea
Among the tools used to prepare Japanese tea, the various teapots come first.
- The most common teapot is called kyusu. Rather small (with an average capacity of 300ml), it is often made from terracotta. It is easily identifiable by its side handle. It is a highly practical teapot because it very often has a built-in filter, allowing you to pour the tea down to the last drop without finding leaves in your cup!
- The second type of teapot common in Japan is the dobin. It is a larger teapot than the kyusu with bamboo or wicker handles, 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 the teapot is chosen, we can look at 3 other main types of accessories:
- Cups: handleless, Japanese tea cups have a capacity of about 120ml. This capacity is suited to preparing Japanese green tea, which is generally brewed with less water than black tea. Traditional cups with high rims are called yunomi.
- Saucers: called chataku, they are smaller 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 sami, it is a spoon, often made of noble woods such as peach, cherry, or camphor, used to measure the tea and observe its volume. It generally holds 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.
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The essential accessories
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Start the quizUtensils for preparing matcha
Another type of tea set is essential to have in your collection to prepare all Japanese teas: a matcha set!
Yes, because matcha is a powdered tea, traditionally prepared during the Japanese tea ceremony Chanoyu, its preparation requires specific utensils. If you're just starting out, our matcha accessory kit lets you gather them all at once.
Among them, the main ones are:
- the chawan, or matcha bowl. It is a bowl with generally high sides and a flat bottom, to whisk matcha more easily and retain its heat.
- the chasen, or bamboo whisk. The whisk allows you to mix hot water with the tea powder to create an emulsion, which forms a fine layer of foam on the surface of the tea. The chasen has an average of 80 to 100 prongs and can be golden or brown in color.
- the chashaku, or bamboo spoon. This long, fine spoon allows you to precisely measure the amount of powder you put into the matcha bowl. To prepare a bowl of light matcha, count 2 heaping spoonfuls, and 3 spoonfuls for a strong matcha.
To complete this matcha set, it is common to add a naoshi, a stand for the bamboo whisk. In addition to being aesthetic, it helps extend the life of the precious chasen. You can also complete the set with a natsume, a box used to hold matcha. Traditionally lacquered and decorated with traditional gold patterns, it is truly a work of art.
Now that you know the utensils needed to prepare Japanese tea, I invite you to discover the matcha utensils I offer to my community. Made by passionate artisans and handcrafted, they will accompany you during your organic matcha tastings.
>>> Click here to discover all the accessories
=> Right now, get 10% off your first purchase of organic matcha with the code KUMIKO10!
