Buy Matcha tea bowls - everything you need to know

Matcha bowls are aindispensable ingredient in the preparation of Matcha teaand truly bring out the delicate flavor of the tea. Matcha bowls have a long tradition in Japan, where they have been made from ceramic using a complex firing process for many centuries. The often uneven and slightly wavy rim of the matcha bowl is one of its distinctive features, reminiscent of Japan's mountainous landscape. The unusual shapes and color gradients of the matcha bowls also reflect the beauty of natural imperfection, which is known in Japan as wabi-sabi.

Features of Japanese matcha bowls at a glance:

• Flat bowl bottom and strikingly large opening
• Special feel with soft, wavy and asymmetrical structures
• Different shapes, patterns and color gradients depending on origin and style
• Irregularly shaped bowl rim, reminiscent of the mountainous landscape of Japan
• Thick outer wall that prevents the tea from cooling down quickly

TheMatcha tea bowl (Japanese: Chawan)Along with the matcha whisk (Japanese: chasen) and, of course, the matcha tea itself, it is the central component of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Due to its unique aesthetics, long tradition, and artistic craftsmanship, the matcha tea bowl, along with the tea caddy (Japanese: natsume), is the most expensive tea utensil. Matcha tea bowls from renowned Japanese potters often fetch prices of several thousand euros in Japan!

Japanese tea bowls, lovingly handcrafted 

In our range you will find a variety of Japanese tea bowls, which differ in their shape, design and, of course, color. Many of our Japanese tea bowls arelovingly handcrafted, where the bowls are hand-shaped and hand-glazed, making each bowl an individual work of art and a unique one-of-a-kind.

Compared to other tea cups, matcha bowls have slightly thicker walls, which slows the cooling of the tea and keeps the temperature of the matcha tea constant for longer. Matcha bowls also have a flat bottom, making it ideal for whisking the matcha powder.

They are as much a part of the traditional preparation of matcha tea as a delicate porcelain cup is to British tea: matcha tea is said to taste even better from a stylish matcha bowl than from a conventional teacup. At first glance they seem rather inconspicuous, but on closer inspection they seem to be made for enjoying the drink.So what makes a matcha bowl so special?

According to traditional tradition, they are the central utensil in the tea ceremony, the traditional way of preparing Matcha tea withMatcha powderAccording to tradition, the guest should admire or at least question the origin of the bowl during the tea ceremony. To this day, the matcha bowl is usually the most expensive utensil in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Its price can reach several thousand euros, depending on its manufacture and decoration.

To this day, matcha bowls are distinguished by their style. Tea bowls in theRaku styleThis style dates back to the late 16th century and was developed in collaboration between a master roof tile maker and a tea master. According to tradition, the first examples of this style were not formed on a potter's wheel, but were made entirely by hand. This resulted in a highly irregular and unique vessel that always looked different. This type of matcha bowl was fired at a temperature of around 1,000 degrees.

Immediately after firing, they were taken out of the kiln and sealed with other combustible materials. These materials, such as hay or leaves, absorbed the oxygen from the air, causing chemical reactions. They were essential for theunique appearance of each individual matcha bowlA Raku-style chawan is thicker than most other bowls. The appearance is almost rustic and always individual.The technique of shaping and firing makes each Chawan uniquelike no other.

Of course, the shape is particularly striking.The bottom of the bowl is usually formed from a straight surface, the opening at the top is noticeably largeThis makes tea preparation easier. The matcha powder is much easier to whisk with a bamboo whisk in a large matcha bowl than in a conventional tea bowl. This allows the matcha powder to be optimally distributed in the water, allowing the full aroma to develop.

The traditional matcha bowl is a reflection of theWabi-SabiThis is a term originating from Japan and refers tothe natural imperfectionand the resulting beauty. The rim of the tea bowl is slightly irregularly shaped.

These waves are intended to evoke the mountainous landscape of Japan and thus the origin of tea. A traditional firing process is used to make this tea bowl. This firing process is quite complex, but contributes to its robust quality. The thick walls are also an important distinguishing feature compared to conventional tea bowls.

This prevents the tea from cooling down too quickly and keeps the temperature of the tea constant for longer, allowing you to enjoy the Matcha tea for a longer period of time.

According to belief, handmade originals have at least one distinctive or very distinctive spot among the matcha bowls. This spot is called the“Face” of the tea bowlThe face can consist of a striking gradient of colors, a visible unevenness, or a specific pattern in the clay. According to tradition, the matcha bowl should be turned during preparation so that the face is facing the person. When handing the tea bowl to a guest, the face should point toward the guest. When drinking from the tea bowl, the face should be turned away from you.

If you order your Matcha bowl from Matcha Magic, you can expect a specialVariety of shapes and designsMost of our bowls are first formed by hand and then glazed by hand. This creates very different patterns and color gradients. They look different on each bowl, resulting in a variety ofdistinctive unique piecesOur handmade matcha bowls also impress with their variety of shapes:

• Wan shape: The Matcha bowl is made of natural clay on a potter’s wheel in the classic Wan shape and is given a particularlybulbous shapeThis allows the bowl to rest comfortably in the palm of your hand while drinking. Our "Sakai" bowl is a beautiful example of this style and is available in a wide range of colors.
• Dojime shape: Matcha bowls in the Dojime shape impress with theirasymmetrical shapes. The outer wall and the shell rim are unevenly shaped (Wabi-Sabi), which results in particularly beautiful, unique pieces of this bowl type. Beautiful examples of the dojime shape are our "Aichi," "Yokkaichi," and "Kashiwa" matcha bowls.
• Ido-Shape: In contrast to the bowl shapes above, bowls in the "Ido-Shape" become more flared towards the top. Furthermore, bowls in the "Ido-Shape" have a slightly smaller bowl base, which creates a particularly strikingTrapezoidal shapeIf you like this unusual shape, we recommend our "Nara" and "Mitu" bowls.

Traditional matcha bowls come in many colors. Some potters have developed their own unique style and color combinations. Over time, their glazes have continually created new effects and shades, resulting in unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.

Red, green, blue and white are typical colorsfor a matcha bowl. The inside, for example, can be white, which is intended to bring out the color of the tea particularly well. If the bowl is made in a wood-fired kiln, the colors are particularly varied. Common examples are a combination of dark brown on the outside and bright red on the inside, or a green-blue tone on the outside, which is intended to be reminiscent of the sea. If a chawan was hardened in a wood-fired kiln, the ash can leave visible marks on the surface, creating an impressive grain. For optimal enjoyment, the wide opening and the thick cup walls are important, while the appearance is primarily appealing to the eye.