Matcha kit: how to choose your starter set
Action, Amazon, Maison du Monde, Darty, Nature & Découvertes… matcha kits are everywhere. Prices range from €10 to over €60. But not all of them contain the same accessories, and most importantly, not all are of equal quality.
This guide compares the available options, telling you what's truly essential in a matcha kit and what's superfluous.
What a good matcha kit contains
A matcha kit is a set that brings together the necessary accessories to prepare your best matcha correctly. But not all kits contain the same elements. Here's what's essential, useful, and superfluous.
The 3 essentials
Matcha. This is the central element. A kit without matcha forces you to buy it separately, which complicates getting started. The included matcha should be ceremonial grade if you plan to drink it (not cook with it).
Many entry-level kits include culinary grade matcha or matcha of uncertain origin. Always check the grade and origin.
Bamboo whisk (chasen). This is the accessory that makes all the difference. A traditional chasen has between 80 and 120 prongs carved from a single piece of bamboo. It's what creates the creamy foam and dissolves the powder without lumps. The quality of the bamboo and the number of prongs vary considerably from one kit to another.
A €3 chasen won't have the flexibility or durability of an artisanal chasen. Properly using your matcha whisk from day one ensures optimal results.
Measuring spoon (chashaku). A thin bamboo spoon that measures approximately 1g of matcha. Two chashaku scoops = the perfect dose for one cup.
It's more precise and elegant than a classic teaspoon, although the latter can do in a pinch.
The useful ones
Matcha bowl (chawan). A wide, flared bowl that facilitates whisking. It's not essential to get started (any bowl will do), but the experience is more pleasant and the movement more natural in a real chawan.
Sieve. To sift the matcha before preparation and prevent lumps. Some kits include it, others don't. A simple kitchen sieve does the same job.
Chasen holder (kusenaoshi). A small ceramic or bamboo stand that holds the whisk upside down to preserve the shape of the prongs between uses. Useful for the chasen's durability, but not critical when starting out.
The superfluous
Some kits add elements to inflate the price: presentation tray, recipe book, sample tea bags that are not matcha, decorative storage box. None of this is necessary to prepare good matcha. Focus your budget on the quality of the matcha and the chasen.
Inexpensive kits (Action, Amazon): are they worth it?
Action Kits (€10-15)
Action regularly offers matcha kits at low prices. Typical contents: a bamboo chasen, a spoon, and sometimes a small sachet of matcha. The value for money seems unbeatable on paper.
In practice, the chasen is often rigid, with thick prongs that break quickly. The included matcha (when there is any) is culinary grade, with rarely specified origin. It's an acceptable entry point if your budget is very tight, but the whisk will need to be replaced after a few weeks of regular use.
Amazon Kits (€15-30)
Amazon offers dozens of matcha kits, from Chinese brands or resellers. Prices range from €15 to €30 for a set typically including a chasen, a spoon, a holder, and sometimes a bowl.
Quality varies. Some €25 kits are very decent (flexible bamboo, well-carved prongs). Others at €20 have a chasen that deforms after the third use. The main problem is the absence of matcha in most of these kits. You buy the accessories but not the main ingredient, which adds an additional cost.
Tip: read reviews, filtering by whisk durability. This is the criterion that distinguishes a good kit from a disposable one.
Maison du Monde / Darty Kits (€20-40)
These brands offer aesthetically pleasing sets (nice box, gift packaging) with content similar to Amazon kits: chasen, spoon, sometimes a bowl. Matcha is rarely included. You pay more for the presentation and the brand name.
It's a good gift option due to the packaging, but the value for money of the accessories alone is often lower than a kit from a specialized matcha brand.
Premium sets (specialized brands)
Premium sets from specialized matcha brands stand out on one fundamental point: they include quality matcha and accessories designed specifically for matcha preparation, not generic accessories.
A good premium set contains ceremonial grade matcha (not culinary), an artisanal chasen with an appropriate number of prongs (80 to 100 minimum), a bamboo chashaku, and often a bowl. The price is between €40 and €70, but the matcha alone already accounts for 50 to 60% of this price.
Our Tsuki set includes a bowl, a whisk rest, the chasen whisk, a measuring spoon, a sieve, and ceremonial grade matcha.
Our recommendation
The TSUKI Ritual Set brings together everything you need to get started with the right equipment and the right matcha, without superfluous accessories.
It contains Original ceremonial grade matcha (Yabukita cultivar, Shizuoka/Kagoshima, stone-ground), an artisanal bamboo chasen, a chashaku measuring spoon, and a matcha bowl. Each element is selected to offer the best preparation experience from the very first use.
The included matcha is the same as that sold separately: no degraded "special set" version. The chasen has the flexibility and number of prongs needed to create a fine and regular foam. This is the kit designed for people preparing their first matcha who want to start well.
| Criterion | Action Kit | Amazon Kit | Maison du Monde Kit | TSUKI Set |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | €10-15 | €15-30 | €20-40 | ~€55 |
| Matcha included | Sometimes (culinary) | Rarely | Rarely | Yes (ceremonial) |
| Chasen quality | Basic, rigid | Variable | Correct | Artisanal, flexible |
| Bowl included | No | Sometimes | Sometimes | Yes |
| Whisk durability | A few weeks | 1-3 months | 2-4 months | 4-6 months (with care) |
| Ideal for | Trying on a budget | Accessories only | Gifting (nice packaging) | Seriously starting |
FAQ: choosing your matcha kit
Should I buy a kit or accessories separately?
A kit is more practical and often more economical if you're starting from scratch. Buying separately makes sense if you already have some accessories and want to upgrade a specific element (e.g., replace a worn chasen). The essential matcha accessories are also available individually.
Is the bamboo chasen really necessary?
The chasen gives the best results in terms of foam and dissolution. An electric frother is an effective alternative for daily use, especially if you're making lattes. The ideal is to have both: the chasen for the ritual, the frother for rushed mornings.
How long does a chasen last?
A quality chasen used daily lasts 4 to 6 months with proper care. The prongs bend and wear naturally over time, which is normal. It's a consumable, like a coffee filter. Entry-level kit chasens often last half as long.
Is a matcha kit a good gift?
Excellent gift. Matcha intrigues many people, but few dare to try it alone. A complete set with matcha and accessories removes this barrier. It's an original, useful gift that can be renewed (matcha is consumed and repurchased).
Can you offer a kit to someone who has never drunk matcha?
That's even the best scenario. A kit with ceremonial grade matcha and the right accessories guarantees a successful first experience. If the person starts with bitter culinary matcha and a rigid whisk, they might conclude they don't like matcha. With the right kit, the first cup is convincing.
Ready to get started? Discover our Kits, they contain everything you need: ceremonial matcha, artisanal chasen, chashaku, and matcha bowl.
