Today I want to try something new, which is a first for me and the site. Recently, someone from Umi tea sets reached out to propose a collaboration.
This is a sponsored review of one of their products, and I will provide an honest description of what I received.
The package contained the following items. 2 Tea scoops, a sift (used to weed out clumps of matcha tea), a 100 pronged chasen or tea whisk, a stand (naoshi), and a bowl. The set arrived in good condition. The packaging consists of sturdy foam with cutouts that fit the articles.
For regular readers this might be a little bit of a sting but I was pleasantly surprised by what I got. Sure, there’s a big difference between a store-bought article and a chawan that’s been crafted by hand from earth, fire, and sweat by a skilled artisan. But honestly, the utensils do their job well and look pretty neat too. The scoops and whisk are made from bamboo, just like you’d expect.
The top scoop is ideal for loose tea leaves, like sencha, while the bottom scoop works well for matcha or powdered green tea, helping to transfer it to a bowl. Its shape is a bit unusual, as it has a near perpendicular angle instead of a gentle curve like most scoops. For beginners in Chanoyu or the tea ceremony, this set is a great starting point. The chawan included is of good quality, with a nice texture and finish. It feels comfortable in hand—not too heavy or light, but just right. This set is worth the price and provides the necessary tools to try matcha.
