Bamboo Chasen (Matcha Whisk)

Elevate your matcha experience with our complete Matcha Tea Whisk, designed to bring the traditional Japanese tea ceremony to your home.

Types and Number of Prongs in Chasen

A chasen is an essential bamboo tea utensil used to mix matcha and hot water in a tea bowl.

Several types of bamboo can be used, with hachiku (white bamboo) being the most common. Depending on the tea school, susudake (smoked bamboo) or shichiku (purple bamboo) may also be used.

The number of prongs varies from 16 (flat prongs) to 120, with 80-prong and 100-prong chasen being the most commonly used. More prongs produce finer, smoother matcha but result in a thicker handle. Depending on how the tea is prepared, more prongs are suitable for thin tea, while fewer prongs are better for thick tea. Preferences for the tea preparation and handle thickness vary, so it is best to choose a chasen that suits your personal preference.

100-Prong Chasen With 81-95 prongs, the handle is slightly thicker, and the finer prongs allow for smoother matcha. It is recommended for matcha beginners.

How to Care for Your Chasen

Since chasen are made of bamboo, they are prone to cracking, mold, and deformation. Handle them gently.

First Use When using a new chasen, clean it by shaking the prongs in a bowl of water. Then, perform "chasen toshi" by placing the chasen in a tea bowl with hot water. This softens the prongs, making them more flexible and easier to use.

Regular Care It is recommended to perform "chasen toshi" before each use. After use, wash the chasen thoroughly to remove any matcha residue, gently rubbing off any stubborn matcha by hand. Shape the prongs and place the chasen in a chasen holder. Once completely dry, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent mold. If you do not have a chasen holder, store the chasen with the prongs facing up.