Looking to get deeper into the magic of matcha? Here are the best matcha classes and matcha workshops you can attend in Bangkok.
Matcha seems to be on the rise and rise in recent years, as we’ve seen multiple new matcha bars popping up everywhere in the city (we’re not complaining). It’s become so popular not only in Bangkok, but also in many cities around the world including Kuala Lumpur, that around March of this year, there was even a matcha shortage. What is it about the drink that suddenly made everyone so obsessed with it? Is it just a trend, or is everyone now aware of the bunch of health benefits the green powder offers? If you don’t believe us, try scrolling through your social media, and you will see what we’re talking about.
Bangkok has more than its fair share of decent matcha bars, but not all of them offer matcha brewing workshops for enthusiasts. The workshops at these matcha bars are there to guide you in creating your own umami green-hued beverage—from choosing the right cultivar to whisking up the drink the right way in “W” motion. Some courses even offer a tasting session of more than 15 cultivars for matcha aficionados to sample and boast about after.
So, for all the matcha fans out there, we’ve done the hard work and narrowed down the best places where you can attend matcha brewing workshops in Bangkok. Read on for our list.
[Hero Image Credit: MTCH]
Where to attend matcha brewing workshops in Bangkok
1 /4
You will forget all about the traditional tea shops when you enter this matcha bar, because MTCH is basically a cool and contemporary interpretation of that— think aluminium countertops, exposed walls and floors, juxtaposed with, and made a tad warmer by, minimal wooden seats and tables. The workshops they offer here are the most extensive in our opinion, ranging from ‘introduction to matcha’ and ‘matcha latte workshop’ to some of the more experimental ones, like ‘matcha tasting: Uji-cha’ and ‘matcha sensory and flavour.’
What you’ll learn: Our most beloved class here is the ‘matcha sensory and flavour,’ a one-of-a-kind session where participants get to sample and differentiate over 15 cultivars of matcha, which, we believe, is the widest range of cultivars offered in the city.
2 /4
If you prefer a traditional take on the Japanese tea salon, you will be in awe of KOTO Tea Space while furthering your matcha education. Dark mahogany wood countertops and barstools dominate the center of the shop, while the shelves in the same colour behind the bar are donned in various state-of-art matcha bowls. KOTO offers two matcha workshops for enthusiasts: ‘matcha brewing’ and ‘5-grades matcha testing,’ both of which are very hands-on and intimate.
What you’ll learn: For those looking to pick up just the basic skills in whipping up your own perfect cups of this umami drink, we recommend the matcha brewing class, where you will learn the essential brewing tips, all the tools, and the three standard matcha recipes, including hot usucha, iced clear matcha, and cold whisk matcha latte.
3 /4
Contemporary and elegant, that’s how we’d describe the vibes of this tea shop. Imagine almost all-black furnishings, offset by exposed walls and an array of tiny wooden teapots. As for the beverages, aside from the true and tried matcha drinks, they offer a thoughtful mix of traditional teas and modern infusions—think sparkling Houjicha on tap served in a tall beer glass. As for the workshop, from what we know, they only offer a ‘basic matcha brewing’ course.
What you’ll learn: The course is called ‘basic matcha brewing,’ but we think there’s nothing basic about it (in the best way). Participants will learn from understanding the taste of matcha from different production styles to how to brew it just right to extract the perfect matcha flavour. Towards the end, you will get to practice brewing your own cup, using the same methods as a professional matcha brewer.
4 /4
Sandwiched between houses deep in Soi Sukhumvit 57, ChaEn Tea Experience is a cool and practical interpretation of the Japanese tea house. We say practical because this tea shop has separate spaces for different experiences. The first floor features a long counter bar with high stools where you can sit and watch tea experts whisking your matcha, plus a small, peaceful Japanese garden with a few tables out back. The second floor houses traditional Japanese-style tables on tatami mats and a separate workshop room. The workshop offered here, ‘brew at home & cafe,’ is for those wanting their matcha to taste like it’s been professionally whipped up at a tea shop.
What you’ll learn: In one course, you will learn everything from tea varieties, the difference between green tea and matcha and their production process, and factors affecting taste, to how to temper the water and choose the right kind of milk for each cultivar– then taste the results. Last but not least, you’ll get to practice brewing matcha in both styles: usucha, a lighter, frothy tea, and koicha, a thicker, richer version.