We Tried It: Cuzen Matcha Maker

The company promises a mostly hands-free method that produces the perfect matcha shot. But how does it compare with the tried-and-true traditional method?

By Jenni Gritters

December 21, 2023

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Cuzen Matcha maker — We evaluated the Cuzen Matcha Maker against the traditional matcha-making method to find out whether the Cuzen is worth its $300 price.

A few years ago, I switched almost entirely from coffee to matcha as my morning caffeine of choice. Coffee made me jittery; as an already-anxious person, I didn’t need more chaos in my brain. Matcha, on the other hand, gave me a smoother dose of energy.

Matcha is made from ground green tea leaves; it’s a traditional drink of East Asia, mostly produced in Japan. And it has admirable health benefits: Some studies suggest that drinking green tea regularly may lead to a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Green tea also contains antioxidants.

But I had one small hang-up about my new drink of choice: Matcha can be tough to make at home. Even if you buy pre-powdered matcha, you’re likely to find yourself with a chunky, watery mess instead of a nicely flavored latte. Making matcha correctly requires appropriate tools, and there’s a learning curve to how you use them.

The Cuzen Matcha Maker promises to fix those user error-induced flaws by taking you from organic leaves to a perfectly whisked cup of freshly ground matcha in less than 5 minutes. But is it worth the $300 price tag?

How Does the Cuzen Matcha Maker Work?

The Cuzen comes with three small packets of matcha leaves, 4 grams each. Cuzen matcha is sourced from Kirishima in Japan, which experiences almost year-round rain and fog. According to the brand, this leads to well-nourished green tea leaves that offer more health benefits and flavor. Each starter kit comes with a premium mix, a signature mix, and a latte blend, which contain leaves harvested during different seasons, with varying levels of umami, bitterness, and vibrancy.

To get started, place the leaves in the ceramic mill at the top of the machine, then choose the intensity level you desire by clicking the intensity button (1, 2, or 3). You may add the whole packet, because the mill can hold up to 20 grams of matcha at a time.

Level 1 intensity grinds 1 gram of matcha (1 shot); level 2 grinds 1.5 grams (1.5 shots), and level 3 grinds 2 grams (2 shots). If you plan to make a latte, choose from levels 2 or 3 to get enough flavor intensity to match the milk. If you plan to drink your matcha straight with only hot water, level 1 or 2 will offer enough flavor.

Add room temperature water to the whisking line on the small glass cup placed below the mill, facing backward. (A magnet will clip in, holding the cup in place.) Then press the start button. The machine will grind the leaves freshly, then drop the ideal amount of matcha powder (based on your chosen intensity level) into the cup, where it will be whisked for several minutes (2 minutes for level 1, 3 minutes for level 2, and 4 minutes for level 3). Once the Matcha Maker beeps, the whisk will stop moving and you may grab the small cup.

Add the matcha shot to your desired drink of choice: boiling water for a simple preparation, steamed milk for a hot latte, cold milk for an iced latte, or even tonic water for a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up.

The Cuzen can also be used just to grind the matcha leaves. Make sure the machine is off, then press the intensity level button once. The light should turn on, then you’ll need to hold the intensity button until all three lights start to blink. At that point, press start. The machine will distribute 1.5 grams of matcha powder (which you can use to prepare matcha with a traditional whisk set, or cook with) into the cup below.

The ceramic mill also acts as a storage area for up to 20 grams of matcha at a time, keeping it sealed at room temperature.

If you opt to use a traditional matcha set, you’d begin by adding about ½ teaspoon of matcha to a sifter. Using a small wood spoon, carefully sift the matcha into a small cup, add ¼ cup of water, then whisk (using a special matcha whisk) in an M-shape for a minimum of 30 seconds. Once the matcha is whisked, you can add it to a drink preparation of your choice.

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Jenni Gritters

Jenni Gritters is a writer and editor who covers parenting, purchasing, and psychology. You can find her bylines in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Forbes, the Guardian, and beyond. Jenni lives in central Oregon with her two children and her husband.