Koicha and Usucha
The biggest difference between "koicha" and "usucha" is their "concentration." Koicha is characterized by a thick texture, much like freshly melted dark chocolate. It is made by slowly "kneading" a generous amount of matcha with a small amount of hot water, which results in a flavor with little bitterness that is a condensed expression of the deep sweetness and umami inherent in the tea leaves. Since this taste can only be achieved with exceptionally high-quality tea leaves, it is treated as a special serving.
On the other hand, "usucha" is the familiar version, appealing for its light and refreshing taste. This type is prepared by whisking it quickly with a chasen to incorporate plenty of air, creating a layer of creamy foam on the surface. It has a good balance of matcha's characteristic pleasant bitterness and a clean aftertaste, making it the perfect cup for when you want to refresh yourself in your daily life.
Thus, the two types of matcha are completely different in both taste and preparation. If koicha is for deliberately savoring the full potential of the tea leaves, usucha could be described as a matcha that accompanies daily life, one that can be enjoyed casually according to your mood or physical condition. For those of you just starting with matcha, a rich matcha life begins by first mastering how to prepare delicious "usucha."
Matcha Bowls Suited for Koicha (Thick Tea)
For koicha, which is served on special occasions, matcha bowls with suitable characteristics are chosen. As koicha is savored slowly while retaining its heat, the bowls are often made to be thick-walled, and you can feel a solid weight and presence when you hold them. Additionally, due to the traditional practice of "mawashi-nomi," where several people share and drink the koicha kneaded in a single bowl, the size is typically somewhat large.
At a koicha gathering, it is considered important to refrain from conversation and to quietly engage with the tea. For this reason, bowl designs tend to be plain and in subdued colors, rather than those with ornate decorations. The formative beauty of the vessel itself and the historical "prestige" of the kiln enhance the atmosphere of the occasion. This can be considered another profound aspect of the world of matcha bowls.
Matcha Bowls Suited for Usucha (Thin Tea)
In contrast to bowls for koicha, the world of matcha bowls for usucha is much freer, offering a canvas for the user's personality. To make it easy to whisk the fine foam that is the lifeblood of usucha, the bottom of the bowl is designed to be wide and rounded, allowing the chasen to move about freely. The size is also just right for one person to enjoy, fitting comfortably in the hands.
Above all, the appeal of usucha bowls lies in their diversity of design. From those painted with seasonal flowers and plants, to those pursuing a modern and minimal form, to those that boldly express the texture of the clay—the variety is truly immense. So, from this wealth of options, how do you find the one perfect bowl for you? In the next section, let's look at specific points on how to choose.
It's natural to feel lost when faced with a multitude of matcha bowls, not knowing which one to choose. However, the fundamental concept behind selecting a matcha bowl is actually very simple. It is about "mindfulness" toward the person you are serving the tea to, and toward yourself. The points we will introduce are the wisdom of our predecessors for spending a peaceful time through the matcha bowl.
5 Key Points for Selecting Your First Matcha Bowl
When choosing a matcha bowl, there are five simple points that Japanese artisans and tea masters have valued for hundreds of years. These are, so to speak, a design guide based on the "spirit of hospitality," conceived so that the person preparing the matcha can do so without stress and the person drinking it can do so with comfort. By keeping these five perspectives in mind, you will be able to find a bowl that is not only beautiful in appearance but also functionally superb and can be cherished for a long time.
Shape: Opt for a Matcha Bowl with a Wide "Mikomi"
First and foremost, the most important aspect is the shape of the bowl's interior. To create the creamy foam that is the lifeblood of delicious matcha, the chasen (bamboo whisk) needs to be moved quickly and rhythmically. For this, there must be enough space inside the bowl for the chasen to move about freely. In a narrow and deep shape like a coffee mug, there isn't enough space to move the chasen properly, and it won't mix cleanly with the matcha powder.
The ideal shape is one with a wide bottom and an overall rounded form. This spacious area allows the chasen to move without restriction, helping anyone to easily create a rich foam. In Japan, this important inner space of the bowl is called the "mikomi." This wide mikomi is the decisive difference between a general-purpose bowl and a matcha bowl born for the purpose of whisking matcha.
While there are matcha bowls like the tall, cylindrical "tsutsu-chawan," these are designed for advanced users to keep the tea from cooling in winter. As the mikomi is narrow and whisking is extremely difficult, when you choose your first bowl, please prioritize this "width of the mikomi." That is the surest path to a delicious and enjoyable matcha experience.
Surface Texture: Avoid Rough, Bumpy, or Overly Smooth Surfaces
The next point of focus is the texture of the bowl's inner surface. This is the part that the delicate tines of the chasen will directly touch, and it is a crucial point that affects how well the foam forms. The ideal surface is one that is not too glossy and has a smooth finish that you can feel with a slight texture when you touch it with your finger.
For example, a gritty, sand-like bowl that is unglazed may damage the tines of the chasen. Similarly, highly designed bowls with many intentional bumps or unevenness on the surface can impede the chasen's movement and make it difficult to mix evenly. Conversely, a completely slick surface like glass or porcelain will cause the chasen to slip, making it impossible to properly incorporate air and create foam. It is wise for beginners to avoid these extreme textures.
Size and Weight: Ensure It's Comfortable to Hold in One Hand
When you whisk matcha, you basically support the matcha bowl firmly with one hand and move the chasen with the other. Therefore, it is very important that the size and weight of the bowl are such that you can comfortably and stably support it with one hand. If it's too heavy and your wrist gets tired, or if it's too large for your fingers to get a good grip, you won't be able to relax and prepare matcha.
However, this doesn't mean that lighter is always better. An overly light bowl is often thin, and when hot water is poured in, the entire bowl can become too hot to hold. Additionally, a moderate weight gives the bowl a sense of luxury and "presence." When choosing in a shop, by all means, pick it up and feel whether it is a weight that fits comfortably in your hand.
Stability: Look for a Matcha Bowl with a Solid "Kōdai" (Foot)
The stability of the matcha bowl when placed on a table is an easily overlooked but extremely important point. This stability has long been valued in Japan, especially given the possibility of using it on surfaces that are not perfectly flat, such as the tatami mats used in tea rooms. If the bowl wobbles, you cannot whisk the chasen with peace of mind.
This stability is created by the ring-shaped foot on the bottom of the bowl, called the "kōdai." If this kōdai is warped, extremely small, or too thin, the bowl will be unstable. When choosing a matcha bowl, be sure to turn it over. Then, check that the kōdai is wide and sturdy, and confirm whether it sits firmly and stably on a flat surface.
The "Shōmen" (Front): Select a Bowl with a Clear Focal Point
Many handmade matcha bowls have a "shōmen" (front) that the creator considers "the face of this vessel." It might be the center of a beautiful pattern or the part where the flow of the glaze appears most dramatic. In the Japanese tea ceremony, there is a beautiful etiquette of "hospitality" and "gratitude" where the host who serves the tea presents this front to the guest, and the guest who receives it avoids drinking directly from the beautiful front, turning the bowl slightly to drink.
Even when you enjoy matcha by yourself, being conscious of this "front" helps to beautify your movements and compose your mind. Therefore, especially for beginners, it is recommended to choose a bowl where the front is recognizable at a glance. For example, even a plain bowl might have a color variation in just one area, or one with a clearly depicted main pattern. A bowl with a clear front will become a reliable guide in your daily ritual.
Features of Matcha Bowls Beginners Should Avoid
To find the perfect partner in a bowl, it's also helpful to know the features of matcha bowls that are best avoided at the beginning. There are many beautiful bowls, but some can be difficult to whisk matcha in or complicated to handle. It is better to consider bowls with the following features as a next step, after you have become accustomed to handling matcha.
- Extremely expensive works by artists or antiques: A bowl that is too expensive can cause anxiety about breaking it, which can interfere with a relaxed matcha time.
- Uniquely shaped bowls with significant distortion or unevenness: While visually appealing, uniquely shaped bowls can be difficult to whisk in and awkward to drink from when you actually use them.
- Items with large cracks, chips, or permanent stains: No matter how historic, it is important that tableware you put your mouth on is clean.
First, based on the five points introduced earlier, try starting with a simple and easy-to-handle bowl that allows you to wholeheartedly relax and enjoy the matcha itself.
