Matcha Set Kuroraku

STEP 1) Put 4g (0.8 US tsp, 2 teaspoon or 4 chashaku scoop) matcha powder into a suitable tea bowl.
STEP 2) Pour 30 ml (1 fl oz) 80℃ (176°F) water over the matcha powder.
STEP 3) Gently knead with a chasen (tea whisk) until all lumps are gone.

❖ Before Step 1, warm up the tea bowl with hot water, then dry it with a cloth to create the perfect temperature so make the most delicious matcha with a fresh scent while preparing. (Optional)
❖ To prevent clotting of the matcha powder, sift it through a fine strainer before use. (Strongly recommended)
❖ After the matcha is done, drink it immediately, because as it cools down it gets more and more bitter. (Recommended)
❖ Freshness is the most important thing for the enjoyment of Matcha. It is best to use up the tea within one month of opening. (Strongly recommended)

RAKU
Initiation:
Before the first use of a Raku chawan, sit it in lukewarm water with a cup of hard rice for about 15 minutes, so that the water completely covers the bowl. The rice powder in the water helps to seal the pores of the Rakuchawan, strengthens the walls and makes it less fragile.

Cleaning:
To clean, dip the tea bowl in lukewarm water: a new bowl for one or two minutes; an older one for about 30 seconds to keep it clean, keep it from being covered with stains and to prevent damage. Do not let it sit in water, for the tea bowl will fall apart!

Storage:
When not in use, dry the tea bowl with a towel. Afterward – especially during the wet season – put it in an airy place and keep it dry. Otherwise, the tea bowl could be damaged and/or develop a damp smell. If the smell clings to the bowl, make tea with it every day. The smell is usually gone in a week. If not, contact us or the producers of the tea bowl for advice.

Usage:
Raku Chawan is a type of Japanese pottery traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies, characterized by being porous, which allows the carbon dioxide to pass through a small hole. Hot water, therefore, might ooze through the tea bowl. This bowl is also vulnerable to acid, so it is not advisable to put acid foods in it. Raku Chawan is not to be used as dishware!
Thanks to the small pores and structure of Raku Chawan, over time small, and in rare cases, bigger fractures might appear on the bowl. This can be prevented by correct initiation but is still natural to happen.