Most people skip the sifting step, and they pay for it with lumpy matcha. BrewNova's powder is fine, but it still has a tendency to clump if you dump it straight into water. A small strainer or even a tea strainer over your bowl takes five seconds and makes a huge difference.

Also, don't overlook the water. Temperature is the single biggest factor in how your matcha tastes. Boiling water scorches the leaves, turning them bitter. Let your kettle sit for two minutes after it boils, or use a temperature-controlled kettle set to 175°F.