There are many ways to clean bamboo matcha whisk, and the best method is the one that you will follow. Fortunately, there is already a lot of information about it, and we’ve combined them in this article, so you can always check them out if you need some instruction or inspiration.
First things first, why should you clean your bamboo matcha whisk? As per tradition, when preparing a traditional Japanese tea ceremony like matcha, whisking the tea has to be done with utmost care and respect for its maker. This means that any utensil used must be clean at all times to assure that there is no debris or residue left, which could alter the taste of matcha. So, how to clean bamboo matcha whisk? Well, keep reading and find out.
1. Clean With Baking Soda And Dish Soap
To know how to clean bamboo matcha, whisk with baking soda and dish soap; mix two tablespoons of baking soda in one cup of lukewarm water. Dip the whisk in this mixture for several minutes or until the dirt is completely removed. If the dirt is not coming off, you might want to scrub it with some dish soap then rinse thoroughly with plain water afterward.
2. Clean With Dishwasher And Salt
How To Clean Bamboo Whisk With Dishwasher – Mix one cup of salt in your dishwasher’s usual load. This will help remove any residue from the whisk and also disinfect it. Add your bamboo matcha whisk in a mesh or net laundry bag so all parts can be submerged well in the salt mixture. Run a normal cycle when doing this – from hot water up to the drying cycle. Note: When using a dishwasher, do not use detergent or soap as they may leave behind residues that cause unpleasant odors or tastes.
3. Clean By Soaking In Vinegar And Salt
If you’re finding it difficult to remove the matcha residue, we found an easy way to clean a bamboo whisk with this mixture of vinegar and salt! You will want to soak your whisk in one cup of white distilled vinegar and ¼ cup of salt overnight. For those who don’t have time for overnight soaking, you can also soak it for 15-20 minutes after thoroughly rinsing with plain water afterward.
4. Clean With Bamboo Whisk Cleaner
If you don’t like the hassle of cleaning your whisk by yourself, try using a bamboo whisk cleaner instead, made explicitly for this purpose. It’s way faster and easier because there are actual bristles in this tool that you can run through the mesh holes of your whisk to remove any residue.
5. How To Store And Prevent Odor
Do not leave new matcha sitting in an open container for too long as it may absorb the smell of other stored items nearby. The same is true when holding your bamboo matcha whisk; make sure that it has plenty of space so odors won’t disturb its original scent. You might also want to keep the whisk away from water so it will never retain moisture or have mildew form on its surface later on.
6. Avoid Dishwasher To Maintain The Quality Of Your Whisk
As mentioned before, if you can avoid using dishwashing machines to clean your utensil, make sure that the whisk will not become brittle or lose its shape over time. This little tip is especially true for bamboo matcha whisks, where even a fraction of a change in size could affect the quality and taste of tea.
7. For A Thorough Cleaning, Remove Bristles Before Washing.
It’s easy enough to know how to wash a bamboo tea whisk properly but what will happen if dirt has already penetrated the mesh? You might want to remove the bristles first by poking them out with a toothpick or other similar object so it won’t catch any residue during the wash.
8. Rinse With Water To Prevent Odor And Discoloration
If your bamboo matcha whisk smells a little funky, try rinsing it with water then drying it thoroughly afterward to eliminate odor-causing bacteria that may already be present. After which, you can also massage the bristles from time to time as this will help restore color and sheen to its surface and maintain its shape over time.
9. Use A Bamboo Whisk Brush For A Thorough Cleaning
You might want to use a professional bamboo whisk brush or a toothbrush for this purpose instead of a regular hairbrush because it’s way easier to clean. All you’ll have to do is hold the bristles still with one hand while swishing it in a bowl filled with water, then rubbing the mesh gently to remove residues.
10. How To Clean A Bamboo Matcha Whisk By Compression
This is an exciting way to clean your matcha whisk where you will try compressing it until all dirt particles are released from its mesh. Note, though, that this method may potentially damage or warp the shape of your whisk, so make sure that it’s done correctly before doing this.
11. Use Vinegar And Salt Solution For Mildewed Bristles
If there’s mildew growing in your bristles, soak them in vinegar and salt solution overnight, then rinse with water thoroughly afterward to prevent the growth of more mold. Discard your whisk if it’s already broken apart because the bristles may be so brittle that they can’t be salvaged anymore.
12. Cleaning A Bamboo Matcha Whisk With Dishwasher Liquid And Salt
This method is a variation of the vinegar and salt solution for cleaning mildewed bristles mentioned earlier, where you’ll add dishwashing liquid to speed up the process even more. Leave the whisk overnight in a container filled with water and several tablespoons of dishwashing liquid to dissolve dirt particles, then wash it thoroughly afterward.
Conclusion:
Bamboo is porous and will absorb oils from the tea. The residue can cause bacteria, mold, or fungus to form on the whisk, making it challenging to enjoy your favorite cup of green tea. You should also be mindful that some people have allergies, so if any food particles are left between the bristles, they could become airborne when preparing your next drink. It’s important to remember that using soap creates an alkaline environment, making it more difficult for natural enzymes in bamboo matcha whisks’ wood fibers to break down proteins into amino acids. That being said, we recommend always rinsing after every use with water only. And never submerging in water as this can warp.
