The chasen, or bamboo whisk, is the authentic, traditional tool to prepare a perfect cup of matcha.
Made from sustainable bamboo
To prepare a traditional cup of matcha, quickly whisk powdered matcha together with a zigzag motion, and enjoy a delicious, frothy cup of matcha.
Rikyu Chasen
Do not store it in its original plastic container. Because bamboo is a natural material and retains moisture, chasens can occasionally be susceptible to slight molding. No need for concern – just be sure your whisk is able to air dry. We store our whisk standing upright on its base in mild environment.
Should mold occur, place your chasen in boiling water.
In everyday use, do not wash your chasen with soap. Simply run it under hot water and remove all visible signs of matcha.
Pat your chasen dry.
Many wonder if they need a "whisk holder / Chasen-tate." However, it is more accurately called, "whisk shaper" / kuse-naoshi to store chasen. Kuse-naoshi are more for shaping the chasen instead of actual storage and is more of a preference than actual necessity. In the Enshu chanoyu school, which we study here at Mizuba Tea, the kuse-naoshi are only for re-shaping the whisk into form and not for storage. We store our whisks standing upright on its base.
You can still use your chasen even if there is a crack in the handle! You may find your chasen whisk has developed a fissure in the handle at some point. Bamboo as a material is prone to expand and contract depending on the climate of where it's stored, and the fluctuations in humidity can cause cracks to develop. As long as the tines are still intact, you may still use your chasen.
You'll want to replace your chasen when the tips of the prongs have broken off or become dull.