!!

Getting started with matcha is so awesome! I've been drinking it in the morning with breakfast for almost a full year now, and knock on my fake-wood desk, I haven't gotten sick at all (except for that one sinus infection when I stopped drinking it for two weeks...whoops).

I think you are selling yourself short if taste isn't as important to you. I feel high quality matcha is better for you, but maybe I'm just overthinking things. I would give this one a shot since it claims to be ceremonial grade, it's 4oz, AND it's barely over $20. That sounds like a steal.

I have matcha every morning. Tea ceremony purists would probably faint over my routine, but it's pretty quick for me and it still tastes lovely.

Tools:

• A little sifter/strainer/whathaveyou
  
  
• Chasen whisk and chashaku scoop (I prefer to use the chashaku scoop over the little spoon because I find it's easier to scoop out of my matcha tins.)
  
  
• Big ol' soup mug - You don't need a fancy schmancy special bowl. My mug is some weird soup mug from the 70s with Garfield on it.
  
  
• Matcha powder! (This one is my favorite, but it might be too much money if you're just getting started)
  
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1. Take your clunky soup cup and fill it with hot water. I use hot tap water. Let it sit in the sink.
   
   
2. Put the kettle on to boil. When it has reached a boil, pour the water into a one-cup liquid measuring cup and let it sit.
   
   
3. While the hot water is sitting, remove your cup from the sink, dry the inside with a paper towel.
   
   
4. Place your strainer atop your tea cup. Take out your matcha tea and scoop as much as you'd like onto the strainer. Here I use the chashaku scoop to press it against the strainer. This is what breaks up the clumps, leaving me with very fine, powdery matcha.
   
   
5. By the time you've finished adding the powder to your cup, the hot water in the measuring cup should be ready. Keep in mind you want the water to be between 155-180F in temperature.
   
   
6. Pour in the hot water and whisk it to death until it's lovely and frothy.
   
   
7. While waiting for it to cool (if you're like me and are a wuss), eat your breakfast!

I am tired of waiting so I'll make a budget matcha set for you:

[Rice Bowl $7.6] (http://www.amazon.com/Smiling-Blue-Porcelain-Rice-Bowl/dp/B0042J0R7Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1412653136&sr=8-2&keywords=rice+bowl) you can find this cheaper, but I'll post this for convience. while a proper chawan has a wider base that is better for whisking the matcha, this type of bowl could work. Generally chawans are $20 and up.

[Bamboo whisk$11.88] (http://www.amazon.com/1x-BambooMN-Brand-Chashaku-preparing/dp/B003VSEG7Q/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1412653207&sr=1-3&keywords=matcha+bowl) (+ Chashaku & spoon) you can find cheaper whisks for around $5 or more expensive ones from Japan that generally are of a better quality. Some people use milk frothers or normal cooking whisks, both can be used, but won't be as effective.

Right now we are at $19.48, the cheapest matcha at o-cha is the [Uji Organic Matcha] (http://www.o-cha.com/uji-organic-matcha.html) for $10.56, slightly more expensive and in my oponion a more friendly matcha is the [Uji Matcha Kiri No Mori] (http://www.o-cha.com/uji-matcha-kiri.html) at $12.74. If this is your first time making matcha, I wouldn't recommending purchasing anything over $15 there.


Bonus accessories that are useful, but not necessary is the [Matcha Sifter for $14.56] (http://www.o-cha.com/matcha-furui.html) and the [bamboo whisk stand] (http://www.o-cha.com/matcha-whisk-keeper.html) for $4.73.

Also if you want to practice your whisking skills I reccomend getting a powdered green tea [like Teavivre's] (http://www.teavivre.com/organic-green-tea-powder/).

I got this one on Amazon a couple of years ago and it still serves me well. Quite a bit cheaper than Ippodo but it doesn't have the cloth or the matcha. If you just want a high quality set without the extras it's a good option.

Those 2 you linked are insanely expensive and a rip off for what you get, especially since you are new to matcha. You can hit up amazon and find a complete set for under $30. https://www.amazon.com/BambooMN-Brand-Matcha-Whisk-Chasaku/dp/B0197AQ642 I've paid $20 for an entire set I needed on the fly. I mean, you can seriously get away with buying a bamboo whisk for $2-$11, wire tea strainer, and a soup bowl.

The most expensive part (other than tracking down good matcha as there is so much garbage ones out there made of I swear soap/chalk/weeds) is the bowl, if you want to go crazy I'd buy that separately after you've given matcha a go.

Den's is good. I'd check out Aiya and Yunomi too. Both have some pretty teaware and good matcha. If it helps, I've reviewed an ungodly amount of matcha http://oolongowl.com/tag/matcha/ I did drink an Enzo one I believe.

What I think is the most important is if you have a variable temperature kettle that can do 160-175F. You can have a pretty set, but you'll get bitter kelp sludge without the right temperature.

Most phallic looking item:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH3BU4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2TKA3DHDIZYOU&coliid=I1HTVHTJQMR8MX

Most "oh god, I would never be seen with this in public" looking item:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1567187072/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2TKA3DHDIZYOU&coliid=IR47146VJO5LT

Item which would most make you seem like an old posh Englishman:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0688037216/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2TKA3DHDIZYOU&coliid=I1TV3AAMPQQJZY

Most geeky item:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004X6FM8W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2TKA3DHDIZYOU&coliid=I3TPK6ULWW4ZZB

Item which would most help you achieve a goal:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0136807453/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2TKA3DHDIZYOU&coliid=I3AM5LIMTP9Q3B

Best item to bring to a deserted island:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026SUCDE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2TKA3DHDIZYOU&coliid=I3BV00J05UR92C

Matcha is super easy to make. You just need a wide teacup and a whisk. Amazon has a pretty good set here.

If you happen to be a wealthy individual and would like to forego the hassle of learning how to whisk the old-fashioned-way - although, this would also allow you to do that should you so choose - here is your best choice:

https://www.amazon.com/Willman-Charaku-Japanese-Handheld-Electric/dp/B076JN1BFT

Looks like you can get one for as low as $7 with free shipping. I have the BambooMN one which is $18 for the whisk, stand, and scoop - I think that's probably the best deal if you don't already have a whisk.

Thanks! This is where I got it

I have this set. It has served my infrequent matcha needs well.

this chawan. I always struggle to justify expensive teaware purchases when i think about how much tea I could buy for that price, but it sure is tempting

I haven't personally but I know that they're used for students in tea ceremony schools. Actually just found what looks like same thing on Amazon. There are a bunch of reviews so that might help