Matcha and matchaware
I broke down and got the Tencha from Samovar today. Since I can’t afford their matcha mill, I’ll need a mortar and pestle. What is the best material? Any suggestions on which one to get? My budget is extremely tight.
I must strongly discourage the use of these tiny spice grinders- the weight of the mill is not sufficient to grind the tencha down to the fine powder required of the best matcha. Having visited Uji, Japan, and seeing rooms of the commercial matcha grinders, I am highly skeptical of the matcha mill offered by samovar…just seems to small(read: not enough weight) to get top-quality results.
Realistically, the mortar and pestle will not replicate the grinding process very well, but should be an interesting experiment at the very least.
With the advances in shipping and packing techniques, properly stored/fresh matcha sourced from a reputable supplier will yield better results than trying to grind at home, in my opinion. The upside is a mortar and pestle will be very inexpensive, so it could be fun to try some grinding!
Please let me know how it turns out!
Networld, in my search for a matcha mill I have been given the recommendation to buy a spice mill and, as you suggest in your 1st sentence, I’d never purchase one for the use of tea- because it is just that, used for spices and not matcha. I wonder what @SamovarLife woud say in response to your questioning their matcha mill.
I have one very similar to the “RSVP White Marble Mortar and Pestle” that Amazon.com has listed. I think mine is a little bigger, but the price is pretty decent. I have used mine several times and have always had good luck with it. I haven’t made matcha with it…yet. I got in on the Samovar special today too!
I just bought my 2nd chasen. The prongs of my 1st one had a slight bend to them, but this one has completely curled over prongs outside and inside. Is one better quality than the other?
Give it some time and see if they loosen up! Do you have a little ceramic holder for it? This can help the whisk to retain its shape
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