Description of Bamboo whisk for making matcha tea
Bamboo whisk (Chyasen) is necessary in the preparation of Japanese Matcha tea, for whisking the drink and obtaining a homogeneous creamy consistency without lumps.
Any tea ceremony requires special attributes and all kinds of tools, especially when it comes to making matcha. And the question is not even in creating the necessary atmosphere and making the process mysterious. The very process of turning from green powder into tea is impossible without special tools and utensils. Otherwise, you will end up with a cloudy green drink that you are unlikely to want to drink yourself or share it with loved ones.
Chasen or a special bamboo whisk for whisking matcha is not just a convenient device, but also quite an interesting tool from a technical point of view, which has a rich history and hundreds of varieties. Traditionally, varieties of bamboo that are resistant to harsh climates are used as blanks. Fresh, dried or even smoked bamboo can be used as a "source".
Of course, there are many forms and patterns characteristic of a particular school of masters. The number of chasen cloves, their thickness, and the stiffness of the bristles also vary depending on the type of tea for which it is intended. The only constant is that they are all handmade from a single piece of bamboo, and it takes the craftsman several hours to produce one such whisk, not counting the preparation of the raw material itself.
How to use a bamboo matcha whisk
It is important to remember that a chasen requires care and attention, and how you take care of it will directly affect its lifespan. To avoid breakage of the bristles, it is best to always store the chasen standing up, with the teeth up.
Before the ceremony, the whisk should be soaked in cool water for half an hour so that it is saturated with water and becomes more elastic.