New England Stories Matcha Whisk Set

It's actually one of the stronger gift options out there. Reviewers consistently highlight the presentation — the set comes in attractive gift packaging, the matcha green ceramic pieces look beautiful together, and the whole thing is display-worthy right out of the box. Multiple buyers purchased it specifically as a gift and were pleased with how it looked. The 7-piece completeness is a bonus for gifting because the recipient doesn't need to buy anything else to get started. The secure packaging also helps ensure everything arrives intact.

Honest assessment: the whisk is functional but basic. It'll do the job — it froths matcha well and works for daily use — but it's not a handcrafted artisan chasen. A couple of reviewers noted it feels on the cheaper side compared to standalone premium whisks. That said, for a 7-piece set at this price point, it's a reasonable trade-off. If you're a beginner or casual matcha drinker, it'll serve you well. If you become a serious daily user and want to upgrade just the whisk later, the rest of the ceramic set will still be great.

It's well-suited for exactly that. The bowl is large with a flat bottom for comfortable daily whisking, the ceramics are easy to clean between uses (important for something you're doing every day), and the compact design means it doesn't take up much counter space — some people leave it on display. The whisk holder is especially important for daily use since it keeps the chasen in shape between sessions. Reviewers mention that making matcha with this set creates a nice ritualistic break from desk work, which is really the whole point of traditional matcha preparation.

The ceramic pieces — bowl, sifter, and holder — are easy to clean thanks to the smooth, non-porous surfaces. Reviewers specifically praise how simple cleanup is. Just rinse with warm water; you can use mild soap on the ceramics if needed. For the bamboo whisk, rinse it under warm running water right after use (avoid soap) and gently work out any matcha stuck between the tines. Then place it on the included holder to air dry — this keeps the tines in proper shape and prevents mold.

Absolutely — and this is something reviewers discovered on their own. The bamboo whisk works surprisingly well for mixing hot cocoa, apple cider, protein powders, and coffee blends. The bowl is a great size for any whisked beverage, and the sifter works for any powdered drink mix that tends to clump. Some people even use it as a compact travel set for their daily matcha or other drinks. It's marketed as a matcha kit, but it's really a versatile whisking station.

Yes, and it's one of the more underappreciated tools in the set. Sifting your matcha powder before whisking breaks up clumps that would otherwise create bitter pockets in your drink. Reviewers confirm the included sifter helps achieve a noticeably smoother matcha. One thing to know: the sifter is standard fineness rather than ultra-fine, so if you're using very high-grade ceremonial matcha and want the absolute silkiest result, you might eventually want a finer mesh. But for the vast majority of matcha drinkers, the included sifter does exactly what it needs to do.

You can try with a small regular whisk, a milk frother, or even a fork in a pinch — but you won't get the same result. A bamboo chasen like the one in this set has dozens of fine tines specifically designed to break up matcha clumps and create that smooth, frothy texture. That said, reviewers of this New England Stories set have found the bamboo whisk works great not just for matcha but also for mixing hot cocoa, protein powders, apple cider, and coffee blends — so once you have one, you'll probably reach for it more than you expect.

Ideally, you want to whisk just above the bottom of the bowl rather than pressing the tines flat against it. Light contact is fine, but grinding the whisk into the bowl wears down the bamboo tines faster. The New England Stories bowl has a flat bottom and large size that makes this easier — reviewers note the bowl gives you a good grip while whisking, and the flat base provides stability so you can focus on that quick back-and-forth motion without chasing the bowl around your counter.

Before your first use with the New England Stories set, soak the bamboo whisk in warm (not boiling) water for about 1-2 minutes to soften the tines and make them more flexible. This helps prevent breakage. Then sift your matcha powder through the included sifter into the ceramic bowl, add about 2 oz of hot water (around 175°F), and whisk in a quick W or M motion until frothy. One thing to note — this set doesn't include detailed instructions beyond what's printed on the box, so if you're completely new to matcha, you may want to watch a quick video tutorial alongside your first session.

Yes, it's a good habit to briefly soak the bamboo whisk in warm water for about 30 seconds to a minute before each use. This softens the bamboo tines so they're more flexible and less likely to snap. For the first time, soak a bit longer — 1-2 minutes. The New England Stories set includes a whisk holder specifically designed to help the whisk maintain its shape between uses, which also helps with longevity. After whisking, rinse it under warm water (no soap) and place it back on the holder to air dry with the tines facing down.