Matcha Finest 40 g · Biwa bowl

A complete matcha set consists of four elements: the matcha itself, a wide bowl (chawan), a bamboo whisk (chasen) and a measuring spoon (chashaku). This box contains all four — a tin of Sakuro Matcha Finest 40 g, a hand-decorated Biwa bowl with a capacity of 500 ml, a bamboo chasen and chashaku, all in Sakuro gift packaging. You don't need to buy anything else to make your first bowl on the very day the parcel arrives. Check the current promotional price.

If you came here from a search engine and are still comparing sets, here's a second thing worth knowing: our sets really only differ in two things — the matcha grade (Finest or Excellence) and the bowl design. We have twelve sets with ceramics in eight designs, plus a few sets of matcha alone, without accessories. They're all listed together in the Sakuro Matcha Sets category. This particular one comes with the Biwa bowl, meaning "lake" — light ceramic dotted with blue and navy speckles, like a water surface stirred by the wind. The design takes its name from Japan's largest lake.

How much does a matcha set cost, and would it be cheaper to buy everything separately?

This is the question we get asked more than any other, so here are the actual numbers from our own price list. Every element of this set is also available individually with us, so you can check the math in two minutes:

The difference amounts to roughly a quarter of the basket value (you can check the prices of individual items yourself by clicking the names in the table). On top of that comes the gift packaging, which you simply don't get when buying piece by piece, plus the freebies added to your order — their current list can be seen in the product photos. If you're looking for a matcha set as a gift, this argument is often more important than the price itself — four separately wrapped parcels look like a shop delivery, while one box looks like a present.

The second version of the same set, with a milder matcha, is the Matcha Excellence Set with a Fuji bowl. Sets with Finest cost slightly less than those with Excellence, and the difference in price comes from the grade of the matcha and from the fact that some bowls are more expensive to produce.

Finest or Excellence — which matcha should you choose for your first set?

Both grades are ceremonial matcha and both share the same intensely green, almost emerald colour. What sets them apart is the character of the infusion, and that's a difference you can feel from the very first sip.

Finest, the one in this set, is bold and dynamic. Deep umami with a light tannic edge, distinctly grassy, with a long finish. It's the choice for someone who wants to feel they're drinking something completely different from bagged green tea. It also works better in matcha lattes, since it doesn't get lost under the milk.

Excellence comes from the first harvest and is milder, creamier, with floral notes and citrus freshness instead of pronounced bitterness. If you've never had matcha before and are worried about a flavour shock on your first bowl, start with this one. There's also a third option many of our customers go for: the Finest 40 g + Excellence 40 g duo in a single box. Two tins, two characters, one order, and a decision made on your own tongue rather than someone else's description.

We've laid out this comparison in more detail, with a table and specific use cases, in the article Matcha Set — How to Choose the Right One. If you're torn between the grades, take a look there before buying.

When is it better to get a starter set with several tins instead of just one?

The set with a bowl comes with a single 40 g tin. At one bowl a day, that lasts three to six weeks, depending on whether you measure one gram or two. If you know you drink matcha daily, or there are two matcha drinkers at home, it's cheaper to order a bigger stock right away — for example, the Starter Set 3× Excellence 40 g + 1× Finest 40 g. The price per gram is lower there, and matcha in a sealed tin will happily wait its turn.

The logic is simple: you buy accessories once, but you buy matcha continuously. That's why it's best to make your first purchase in the version with a bowl and chasen, and every following one in a multi-pack version, without the ceramics. Once you already have a bowl from your first set, your next order pays only for the tea.

How to prepare matcha from this set, step by step

The whole process takes two minutes, and after three or four tries it becomes automatic.

1. Measure out 1–2 g of powder with a chashaku (one heaped scoop is about a gram) and pour it into the bowl. If the matcha has been sitting in the tin for a while, sift it through a small sieve — that's mainly where clumps come from.
2. Boil water and let it cool for a moment until it drops to 70–80°C. Boiling water scorches the powder and draws out a bitterness you won't be able to mask afterwards.
3. Pour in 50 ml first, no more. In this small amount of water, work the powder into a smooth paste with the chasen.
4. Whisk briskly in a W or M shape, not in circles. Circles just stir, while the W shape aerates — and that's what creates a thick, creamy foam.
5. Top up with water or a plant-based drink to about 200 ml. Drink right away, as matcha settles after a few minutes and loses its foam.

Three mistakes that make the first bowl bitter: boiling water instead of 70–80°C, too much powder (three scoops isn't "stronger", it's bitter) and stirring in circles instead of whisking air in. More about measuring, even without a kitchen scale, is written here: how much matcha per bowl.

Biwa bowl — why an ordinary cup just won't do

Chasen needs space. In a tall coffee mug you can't hold the whisk at the right angle, so instead of whisking air in, it knocks against the walls and quickly loses a few bamboo tines. The bowl is wide and relatively low, with a rounded bottom that the chasen glides smoothly across. Biwa holds 500 ml, so you have plenty of room and nothing splashes during vigorous whisking.

The ceramic is made in European manufactures, fired at temperatures above 1200°C and made with glazes free of cadmium and lead, in line with EU standards for food-contact tableware. It's dishwasher safe, which matters more than it seems on first purchase when it comes to a daily ritual. If you like a different design, all the bowls and accessories are in the Matcha Accessories category — you can get a second one and have two different bowls on the table.

Chasen and chashaku — why bamboo, when there's a whisk in the drawer

Because a metal whisk has a dozen or so thick wires, while a chasen has several dozen thin, springy tines cut from a single piece of bamboo. These are what introduce tiny air bubbles into the infusion and build the dense foam that marks a well-made matcha. An electric frother will make foam faster, but it's thinner and soapier, and metal can also leave a metallic note in the taste.

The chasen requires two habits. After each use, rinse it with warm water, without soap and without any cleaning agents, then let it dry completely and only then set it down with the tines facing downwards. Never put it in the dishwasher, never leave it soaking in water and never put it back into the plastic packaging it came in — inside sealed plastic, damp bamboo goes mouldy. With daily drinking, the whisk is replaced roughly every two or three months and you buy a new one. The chashaku is practically indestructible, you just need to wipe it dry.

Does a matcha set make a good gift?

It's one of our most frequently bought gifts, and the reason is simple: the set looks expensive, yet doesn't require the recipient to have any knowledge or buy anything extra. They open the box, find everything inside and are drinking within two minutes. The box is minimalist, in Sakuro colours, so it's ready to hand over without extra wrapping.

The choice of bowl design matters here, because it's the one that stays on the shelf for years. Biwa with blue speckles is understated and suits almost any kitchen. If the recipient likes colour, the set with the Bonsai bowl will be a better fit — pink-green-gold highlights on white ceramic, each piece slightly different. You can see all eight designs in one place in Sakuro Matcha Sets.

Frequently asked questions about the matcha set

Does the set include everything needed to make matcha right away?

Yes. Matcha, bowl, chasen and chashaku — four elements that are enough for your first bowl. The only things not included in the box are hot water and, optionally, a sifter for the powder and a chasen stand, if you want to extend its life.

How much caffeine is in one bowl of matcha?

A 2 g serving of matcha contains about 50–70 mg of caffeine, roughly the same as an espresso. The difference is that matcha also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that slows down caffeine absorption — which is why many people describe a steadier boost of energy without the jitters. We compared it with coffee, tea and yerba in our article on caffeine content in beverages.

Can matcha be drunk in the evening?

Yes, but it's still caffeine like any other, so for sensitive people a bowl drunk after 5 pm may delay falling asleep. A safe rule of thumb: your last matcha at least six hours before bedtime. We covered this in more detail in the article matcha and sleep.

How many servings does a 40 g tin provide?

At 1 g per bowl that's about 40 servings, at 2 g — about 20. After opening, keep the tin closed, in a cool, dark place, away from odours. Matcha very quickly loses its vibrant colour and aroma when exposed to light and heat.

Can the bowl be washed in a dishwasher?

The bowl, yes — it can withstand it. The chasen and chashaku — no. Bamboo cracks and splits in a dishwasher; just rinse with warm water and air dry.

Sakuro Matcha is a dietary supplement. It is not a substitute for a varied diet or a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or have any concerns about caffeine, consult your doctor. Due to its caffeine content, the product is not intended for children.

One more thing, if you're torn between matcha and yerba mate: they're not competitors, just two different tools. Yerba is for the whole morning, to be sipped for hours. Matcha is two minutes and a focused moment in the middle of the day. We explained the differences in the article yerba mate or matcha. And if you already know you want to start with matcha — this set is the shortest path, since it has everything you need right out of the box.