The Bonsai Matcha Ritual

At our café in Barcelona we prepare hundreds of bowls of matcha every week, and the preparation itself is half of what people come back for. The Bonsai Matcha Ritual is our name for a short, deliberate way of making and drinking matcha that turns a caffeine habit into a daily pause.

Why a Ritual

Matcha rewards attention. The whisking takes half a minute, the drinking a few more, and doing both without a phone in your hand is a small act of focus that sets the tone for the day. The Japanese tea ceremony formalised this centuries ago. Our version keeps the spirit and loses the formality.

The Ritual, Step by Step

Warm the bowl. Swirl a little hot water in your chawan, then pour it out and dry the bowl. A warm bowl keeps the foam stable.
Sift. Sift 1.5g of matcha into the bowl. Sifting takes ten seconds and removes every clump.
Pour. Add 70ml of water at 70 to 75°C. If you have no thermometer, let boiled water rest for two minutes first.
Whisk. Hold the bowl with one hand and whisk in a fast W motion from the wrist, 20 to 30 seconds, until the surface is a fine, even foam.
Pause and drink. Take one breath before the first sip. Drink while warm, in three or four slow sips.

The Tools

Chasen: the 80-prong bamboo whisk that creates the signature foam
Chashaku: the bamboo scoop that measures one serving perfectly
Chawan: a wide bowl with room to whisk
A fine sieve, any kitchen one works

The Matcha Starter Kit covers the essentials in one box.

Get the Full Guide, Free

We condensed the complete ritual, with photos, timings, water temperatures per matcha and common mistakes to avoid, into a free PDF guide.

Download the Bonsai Matcha Ritual guide →