How to take care of your matcha whisk
The Japanese matcha whisk or called Chasen-garde is made of natural bamboo wood and subject to natural wear and decay. However, if you take good care of your Chasen, it will last longer than mass-produced chasens on the market. A healthy Chasen ensures that the natural infusions and essence of your high-quality Japanese matcha are optimized with every bowl.
Clean your matcha whisk before and after each use
Clean your chasen before the first use. This easily removes any impurities created during packaging and transportation and loosens the core.
Use one of the following options to clean the chasen:
Fill a bowl with hot or boiled water and submerge the matcha chasen teeth for about 30 seconds.
Hold the Chasen strings under gently running hot or boiled water for a few seconds to remove any residue.
Clean the Chasen in the same way after each use.
Nb. Never soak the Chasen handle in water, as it may crack or fray.
Let your matcha whisk dry
After you have made your matcha and washed the Chasen, it is imperative that you let it dry thoroughly. The best way to dry your Chasen is to rest it on a Chasen holder. The best quality Chasens come with a holder for drying and storage.
If you do not have a Chasen holder, dry the Chasen by resting it on the handle, never on the strings.
Please note: If your bamboo Chasen has not been dried properly, damp teeth may become moldy or splinter because of the natural wood product from which it is made. In addition, the fragile Chasen strings may loosen or fall out completely and minimize the effectiveness of the whisk.
How to store your Chasen
Good storage of your Chasen is probably the most important way to achieve optimal life. It is best to store your Chasen the same way you dried it, preferably on a whisk holder. By storing the Chasen on a holder, you will preserve the shape of the bamboo strings and prevent premature damage.
