I've been looking to try matcha for a while now. I've Googled and found a few sites but they either look a bit sketchy or are a little bit more than I was looking to spend.
I'm looking for some sort of set that is good for someone new to matcha. I understand that matcha isn't the cheapest thing in the world but I don't really want to spend more than $30-40.
Can anyone help me out?
Apr 17th, '09, 14:18
Posts: 1574
Joined: Dec 30th, '08, 21:16
Location: The foot of the great Smoky Mountains
have you already read this blog?
http://multipleinfusions.com/2009/04/ma ... kit-guide/
good info..not sure if it meets your 30-40 dollar requirement tho...as it seems most decent matcha itself will run you at a minimum 20 bucks or so without the bowl and whisk etc..
http://multipleinfusions.com/2009/04/ma ... kit-guide/
good info..not sure if it meets your 30-40 dollar requirement tho...as it seems most decent matcha itself will run you at a minimum 20 bucks or so without the bowl and whisk etc..
When I took the matcha plunge I purchased Ippodo tea shop's Hajime no Ippo (first steps) kit.
It has a bowl, whisk, tea scoop, and a tin of tea. Perfect to get you started.
Straight from Japan for about 40 bones. I use it almost daily.
Here is the link. http://tinyurl.com/3bd9s9
Hope you enjoy your matcha!
The Tea Sipping Swordsman,
Fencerdenoctum
It has a bowl, whisk, tea scoop, and a tin of tea. Perfect to get you started.
Straight from Japan for about 40 bones. I use it almost daily.
Here is the link. http://tinyurl.com/3bd9s9
Hope you enjoy your matcha!
The Tea Sipping Swordsman,
Fencerdenoctum
When I first tried matcha I didn`t have any teaware, I improvise a whisk and used a regular rice bowl (small one), and I still enjoyed it, take for example http://www.marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp/engli ... accha.html , this site shows all the alternative to japanese teaware so you can use those found in any household shop for a lot less than susudake bamboo ware and old rakus, so at first you can try the matcha, and that is the only thing I would buy at first, see if you like it, and who knows sometime you might want to get high quality teaware if you fall in love with it.
Apr 17th, '09, 15:59
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scruffmcgruff
I imagine the Ippodo starter kit would be great, but all you really need is matcha and a whisk (assuming you already own a cereal bowl and a spoon). If you keep your purchase down to these two items, you will have more money to spend on good matcha! 
O-Cha's Kiri-no-Mori is a great budget usucha (not suitable for koicha) matcha, but don't go any cheaper than that. There are plenty of other matcha recommendations on this forum, so look around.
You could use a regular kitchen whisk, but you will never get the right consistency or froth. A chasen will make all the difference in the world.
O-Cha's Kiri-no-Mori is a great budget usucha (not suitable for koicha) matcha, but don't go any cheaper than that. There are plenty of other matcha recommendations on this forum, so look around.
You could use a regular kitchen whisk, but you will never get the right consistency or froth. A chasen will make all the difference in the world.
Tea Nerd - www.teanerd.com
Unless you're looking at 30-40 for just the hardware you're not going to find something that's going to give you a good view of what the matcha experience is like. You can find a chawan in the 20 dollar range, chasen in the sub 10, but you'll want some decent matcha to drink. I normally look in the 15+ / 20g range.
Apr 17th, '09, 19:25
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tenuki
I second o-cha as a good source, my favorite from there is organic kaoru supreme, but any of theirs are good.
the Ippodo starter set is excellent as well and would be my recommend to you to get started.
the Ippodo starter set is excellent as well and would be my recommend to you to get started.
Do something different, something different will happen. ( Gong Fu Garden )
Apr 17th, '09, 20:00
Posts: 727
Joined: Dec 22nd, '07, 21:02
Location: the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy
+1 regarding O-Cha... they have a matcha starter where you can basically create your own and choose which matcha, etc. I chose not to get a chawan because I wasn't sure matcha would be something I'd stick with for the long haul, and so I use a small white porcelain rice-pattern bowl which seems to be a good size and makes the matcha look very green and lovely. I got the matcha, whisk, and bamboo scoop... and really liked the Kiri No Mori very much.
Sarah
Sarah
***This organic blend is earthy & spicy, with a fragrant aroma & smooth flavor to captivate the senses. Naturally sweetened in the Kentucky sunshine & infused with natural energy. Equally delicious when served piping hot or crisply chilled.***
