a very matcha christmas
the comprehensive holiday gift guide for matcha lovers
From a matcha zealot herself, here is a non-exhaustive list of what to get for the special matcha enthusiast in your life—or for your own wishlist, no judgment here.
Matcha Bowls
Where matcha comes to life, a matcha bowl (known as a chawan/茶碗) is the vessel where hot water and matcha powder meld into one. I personally love a unique bowl that has good depth and width, with a flat bottom and preferably a spout for the perfect pour.
Little Match Studio — Ceramic artist located in Los Angeles, does batch drops and pre-orders for her handmade and hand-glazed ceramic matcha bowls, whisk holders, cups, and more — also where my most-inquired, trusty, green matcha bowl is from!
Matchaful Seigaiha Whisking Bowl
Matcha Powders
You can’t make matcha without the matcha powder—high-quality, ceremonial matcha powder is usually the way to go with purchasing a matcha, and there are tons on the market so it can get overwhelming when choosing what to buy as a gift (or for yourself, this is a safe space). Here are the few I recommend for each level of matcha lover and where to purchase.
Ippodo Tea — Ummon no Mukashi, 40g for $58 (deep, umami, and slightly sweet), Intermediate or Advanced
Rocky’s Matcha — Ceremonial blend, 30g for $28 (nutty, neutral, great for lattes), Beginner or intermediate
Matcha.com — Tenchi Ceremonial Organic (nutty, smooth, slightly umami), Intermediate
Little Match Studio — Ceremonial Matcha (bright and umami, subtle sweetness), Beginner or intermediate
Hawa Matcha — Ceremonial Blend, 100g for $60, (well-balanced, buttery and smooth), Beginner or intermediate
Nami Matcha — Okumidori First Harvest, 30g for $34, (bright, nutty, mild-flavored), Beginner
Other matchas:
Rocky’s Matcha Osada Single Cultivar bundle, three 30g tins for $76
Ippodo Tea Matcha Holiday Bundle, two 20g tins and one 30g bag for $65
Matcha Tools
Matcha whisk
Matcha whisks are essential to the matcha routine to help you whisk together your matcha and hot water and also get that nice, fluffy microfoam layer.
Takayami Shin Kazuho for Rocky’s Matcha — $72
Matcha.com — $24 (my daily chasen)
Little Match Studio — $20
Amazon — $10
Resin whisk — $35, not my favorite way to whisk my matcha, but great for travel
Metal sieve
Always sift your matcha; it can naturally form clumps if the matcha powder is very finely milled. To make a smooth and pleasant matcha drink, use a sieve before whisking.
Little Match Studio — $17
Amazon — Jade Leaf brand, $9
Scoops
My favorite phrase is “three heaping spoonfuls”, when it comes to measuring out how much matcha to use. While you can scoop out your matcha using any utensil of choice, it is most certainly an elevated experience using a traditional utensil or something looks great in your matcha setup.
Bamboo scoop (chashaku/茶杓)
Little Match Studio — $8
Amazon — $4
Rocky’s Matcha Metal Measuring Scoop
Miscellaneous
Yamazaki Home Tosca Kitchen Rack
Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Gooseneck Kettle
Smeg 50’s Retro Style Milk Frother
Drinkware
It is scientifically proven that a drink will taste better if it is in a cute cup (source: me). Here are a few options that I consider perfect for drinking your matcha.
Weck jars, 19.6 fl oz, set of 6
Kinto cast beer glass, 15.2 oz
Gustaf Westman Chunky cup and saucer set
Crow Canyon 14 oz Tumbler cup (set of 4)
Anthropologie Icon Juice Glass
Harlie Brown Studio Wiggle mug
MoMA Design Store HAY Sip Straws
Lifestyle
At some point matcha becomes your entire life, so why not just inject it into every corner of your personality? I love these items for the home and my closet that don’t scream matcha but whispers it instead.
Tekla / Auralee Terry Towel Set
Museum of Peace and Quiet tote bag
Birkenstock Bostons in green tea
Rocky’s Matcha air freshener tag
J-Scent Roasted Green Tea perfume
Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 in Airy Green
Sabre Paris Bistrot Solid cutlery set in Asparagus
MoMA Design Store - Dusen Dusen striped bathrobe
Hope this sparked a few ideas for gift-giving! Let me know if you have any other suggestions or what you have on your matcha wishlist, and happy holidays ⋆˙⟡
just came across your substack and loving it so far!! been looking to get some matcha powder for myself ahaha so this is useful :)
loveee le labo the matcha 26 🤍