Whisk Care 101:

We're so excited for you to embark on your own whisking journey! To help prepare you for your exploration of making matcha and/or hōjicha at home, here is our guide to help you prep and take care of your whisk.

Blooming Your Whisk for First Use:  

To properly prepare your chasen ( 茶泉) for its initial use, it’s important to bloom your whisk. This step ensures your whisk is at its best from the beginning. Before using your whisk for the first time, immerse it in a cup of hot water for approximately 1-2 minutes. This allows the bamboo to be cleansed, removing any impurities that might affect the matcha/hōjicha flavor. Additionally, it gently opens up and unfurls the prongs, which is a natural characteristic of a new chasen. This blooming process enhances the whisk’s performance, resulting in a better froth and aeration of your tea during whisking.

Preparation Before Every Use: 

Before whisking your matcha or hōjicha, it’s important to soak the chasen in a cup of warm water for 20-30 seconds. This brief pre-soak softens the bamboo prongs and increases the whisk’s flexibility, making it less prone to damage during your daily tea rituals.

How to Use Your Whisk:

To use your chasen, gently and swiftly move your whisk in a W and M-shaped motion. This helps you avoid scraping the bamboo whisk against the sides of the bowl. When necessary, we like to do a parenthesis shape, ( ), in the bowl to gently gather the matcha/hōjicha from the sides of the bowl. Avoid touching the bottom of the bowl with the chasen by keeping it slightly lifted.

How to Clean Your Whisk After Use: 

After making your matcha/hōjicha, dip your chasen in warm water and rinse any remaining residue – this is important, as leaving anything can cause mold to develop. Avoid cleaning your whisk with soap or putting it in a dishwasher.
To dry your whisk, we recommend putting the chasen on a whisk holder, as it helps the whisk keep its original shape and allows the prongs to quickly dry. If you don’t have a whisk holder, gently wipe your whisk with a towel and rest the whisk on its handle.

When it's time to replace your whisk, we offer a Daily Whisk Matcha Signature Chasen that you can purchase online or in-cafe. Thank you so much for supporting Daily Whisk Matcha and bringing a little bit of us home with you! We look forward to seeing you soon at our cafe in Kaimukī. HAPPY WHISKING!