Maintenance guide for your bamboo whisk

It is a good habit to repeat this process before each use. By soaking the whisk in hot water for a few minutes, the bamboo straws become softer and more elastic and flexible, which can prevent them from breaking. At the same time, it makes it easier to whip the matcha to a smooth and frothy consistency every time.

Whipping technique

When whisking your matcha, it's important to have the right technique - both to achieve a smooth, frothy tea and at the same time to protect your bamboo whisk. Start by holding the whisk lightly in your hand and using soft but quick movements, forming a "W" or "M" in the bowl. These movements help mix the tea evenly and create a fine layer of foam that is characteristic of a well-whipped matcha.

Be careful not to touch or scrape the bottom of your matcha bowl. If the bamboo straws hit the bottom of the bowl, you risk them breaking or wearing out quickly. To avoid this, the whisk should be kept slightly suspended in the liquid so that only the tips of the teeth come into contact with the matcha. This spares the whisk and at the same time gives the best consistency in the tea.

Cleaning after use

When you are done whipping your matcha and using your bamboo whisk, it is important to clean it to extend its life. After whipping, place the whisk in a bowl of clean, warm water for a few seconds. This will help loosen match residue that may be stuck between the bamboo straws. Then rinse the whisk gently under running water to ensure all residue is removed. If the matcha residues are not rinsed away properly, mold can develop over time, which not only damages the whisk, but also affects the quality of your tea.

In addition, it is important to never use soap to clean the whisk, as soap residue can penetrate the bamboo straws and damage them, as well as affect the taste of your matcha. The whisk should also never be put in the dishwasher, as heat and water pressure can cause the bamboo to crack and the whisk to lose its shape.

Drying and storage

After you've cleaned your bamboo whisk, it's important to dry it properly to ensure it stays in good condition. The most efficient method of drying the whisk is to place it on a holder designed for bamboo whisks t. This holder ensures that the whisk retains its original shape and prevents the teeth from bending or breaking.

The picture shows an example of two whisks that have been in use for a long time, where one (right) has been dried on a holder, and therefore keeps its wide, beautiful shape better than the other (left), which has been dried without a holder, and therefore has become narrower in shape.

The holder also allows air circulation, which helps prevent moisture from accumulating, thus reducing the risk of mold. If you don't have a holder, you can leave the whisk to dry upright on its handle. However, this is not the best solution, as excess water can collect in the handle and create moisture, and eventually, mold.

Avoid storing your bamboo whisk in its supplied plastic packaging. When the whisk is pressed back into this packaging, it may weaken the shape of the whisk and the bamboo straw.

By following the above advice for maintaining your bamboo whisk, you will at best be able to use it for up to one to two years. If you notice that the bamboo straws on your whisk are starting to thin or break, it's time to consider investing in a new one.