Whisk business: The best matcha sets for making tea at home, from $18.73

Some things are worth outsourcing, but matcha, despite the increasingly ceremonial price tag attached to it, is surprisingly manageable to make at home. A good set does most of the heavy lifting, assuming one can resist treating the bamboo whisk like a tiny kitchen power tool.

The equipment matters more than one might expect. A proper chasen helps to create a fine layer of foam that doesn’t resemble dirty pond water, while the right chawan gives it enough room to move. Some sets also include a scoop or whisk stand; others are beautiful enough to earn permanent space on your counter.

And the beauty of making your own matcha at home is that you can customise it however you want without anyone judging you. Prefer it sweet? Try adding a dash of maple syrup. Want a little local flavour, try mixing in a scoop of sesame paste. Even Marigold H.L Milk is getting in on the action with a new matcha flavour that offers an easy way to get your fix without the prep. It can also be a handy addition to your DIY matcha set-up when you’re after something quick and fuss-free, or simply want to switch up your usual cup with a little extra flavour.

Tired of long queues at your favourite matcha cafes? The best matcha sets make the process feel pleasantly exacting without turning it into a personality, so below, the ones worth making room for at home.

Shutao Matcha Tea Whisk Set, $18.73

A starter set that looks considerably more expensive than its price, helped by ceramics sculpted in Dehua, one of China’s historic porcelain-making centres. The muted celadon pieces and embroidered cloth also make a case for leaving your matcha paraphernalia permanently on display.

Loviver Matcha Set, $27.99

For the budding matcha obsessive who has watched enough tutorials to want the whole ceremony, this set covers practically every step. The ceramic bowl, whisk holder and bamboo tools come with a tea cloth and dedicated rests, so your kitchen counter can finally resemble those suspiciously serene make-matcha-with-me videos.

Qinghua Sakura Matcha Set, $27.88

Sakura motifs tend to look too sweet, but the soda-glazed finish on this set turns them somewhat more rustic. Each piece of this matcha set also has that slightly irregular, pottery-studio look that makes the ritual feel a little more special, even when your matcha is destined to be poured over ice, milk, and strawberry syrup. 

Artcome Matcha Tea Set, $31.70

If transferring freshly whisked matcha into another glass usually ends with a green streak across your counter, consider the problem solved with this set. Artcome gives its matte ceramic bowl a pouring spout, alongside a whisk, caddy, sieve and various holders needed to keep your matcha routine civilised.

Sassbelle Premium Ceramic Matcha Set, $58.70

The strawberry ceramics make this possibly the least solemn interpretation of the matcha ritual set in this list, which is precisely what gives it so much charm. Each piece is also hand-painted, so no two sets are exactly alike. In short, it’s very cute, without having you necessarily surrender the proper tools for whisking your daily morning cup.

StitchesandTweed Matcha Whisk Set, $67.90

Matcha beginners, start here: a measuring spoon and measuring glass remove much of the early guesswork around getting your ratios right. There’s also a 96-prong bamboo whisk for working up that coveted froth and a spouted bowl, with a waterproof mat standing between experimentation and a messy kitchen table.

Naoki Matcha Gift Enthusiast Box Set, $89.99

Instead of having you spend your budget on more unnecessary ceramic accessories, Naoki puts three ceremonial matchas into this box set – a Superior Blend, Fragrant Yame Blend and Chiran Single-Origin – so you can actually taste your way through different expressions alongside a complimentary whisk, sieve and measuring spoon.

Cowpresso Coffee Barista Matcha Set, $99.90

For anyone who is starting to get financially tired of going “one iced, please”, Cowpresso Coffee supplies a handcrafted 100-prong chasen, glass bowl and the various tools for doing the barista bit yourself.

T2 Matcha Expert Bundle, $120

The name rather gives away the intended audience, and T2 keeps this kit focused with its fresh, grassy matcha and the traditional essentials, including a bamboo chashaku for measuring and a single-piece chasen. Whisk the matcha in an M-shape as the brand recommends, and consider yourself one step closer to matcha expertism. 

Sayuri Deluxe Matcha Ritual Kit, $245

One would hope the matcha itself gets as much attention as the accessories for the price of this set, and Sayuri obliges with 30g of its organic ceremonial Haru. A handmade ceramic chawan is added, accompanied by a chasen, chashaku, strainer and naoshi—perfect for the person whose daily morning matcha has become a full-on ritual rather than a beverage.

Nitugushi Gilt Tea Cup, $9.22

At 118ml, this is sized for drinking matcha straight rather than pouring milk over it. The chrysalis crackle and agate glaze also give this little cup the appearance of something unearthed from a ceramics collection, which is quite a lot of drama for its affordable price.

Ohleaf Flambé Glaze Tea Cup, $28

No two cups in Ohleaf’s Flambé Glaze series look quite the same, since each is glazed by hand using the brand’s own technique. Its petite 60ml capacity makes it especially suited to concentrated servings of matcha, while the blue-to-green glaze happens to look rather good against them too.

Buucup Japanese Tea Cups, $35.70

The material is the story here: these 188ml Capsule Cups are made using upcycled rice husks, giving agricultural waste a rather beautiful second life. Their pared-back, stackable shape also offers a contemporary counterpoint to traditional ceramics, which are usually associated with matcha.

Pass It On Rice Husk Cups, $54

For anyone who likes their matcha vessels a little more decorative, these 240ml cups are hand-painted with a landscape of mountains picked out in delicate gold accents. The wider opening and generous capacity also leave room for you to make matcha lattes, should straight ceremonial matcha taste a touch too intense for an afternoon.

HKLIVING 70s Ceramics: Tea Cups, $59

At a capacious 425ml each, these are the ones to reach for when your definition of drinking matcha involves plenty of milk and ice. The reactive-looking glazes and earthy palette channel HKLIVING’s signature ’70s mood, with proper handles for those who don’t quite trust themselves to drink from a cup that comes without handles.