Description
Matcha spoon
Bamboo matcha spoon, known as Chashaku.
It is designed for easier scooping of matcha powder from smaller and narrower bags, as well as bowls and boxes in which matcha is usually stored. Although it seems very simple, it is the perfect tool for handling matcha tea. The name “chashaku” translates as tea scoop or spoon. It originates from Japan.
In the history of tea, there is a famous story that tea was brought to Japan by monks who had frequent missionary trips to China. The tea that they brought was in powdered form, similar to today’s matcha tea. Due to that, an appropriate spoon is needed. Chashaku was first designed from metal and ivory. After a while, the monks cut down the tree more efficiently, and made the bamboo chashaku.
A good matcha spoon is long about 18mm. Long enough to reach the deeper bowls for storing matcha, and short enough for easy handling.
It is completely flat except for the top which is used for gripping. It is also a little wider in that part to help scoop the powder.
The smooth side is the one for scooping matcha, and the slightly rougher side is on the back side, where you can see the “creases” of the bamboo, as evidence of the material used to make the pot.
The measure for one standard cup of matcha tea is one to two bamboo matcha spoons. After use, clean it with a dry towel or cloth.
