Matcha tea in Paris: places to try

Today, I'm going to give you some addresses where you can discover matcha tea and the culture surrounding this tea in the capital.

What is matcha and why is it popular in Paris?

Matcha is a powdered Japanese green tea with a unique umami taste, which is considered a superfood due to its many health benefits.

This is a drink that was traditionally prepared during tea ceremonies.

Today, matcha is very popular in the West, particularly for its vibrant green colour, which is very Instagrammable, but also for its stimulating effect and because it is healthier than coffee. It's a must-have product that Parisians, who are fond of healthy food and new trends, couldn't miss!

The rapid growth of tea shops has also helped to popularize matcha, often in the form of matcha latte, a delicious and flavoursome drink.

Traditional matcha tea ceremonies in Paris

To familiarize yourself with the important cultural heritage surrounding matcha tea, I invite you to first treat yourself to an exceptional moment of zen by attending a real Japanese tea ceremony.

You don't need to buy a plane ticket to Kyoto to do this: there are many places in Paris where you can discover now all the beauty of this art, just like in Japan.

• Musée national des Arts asiatiques - Guimet (MNAAG): Several times a month, the Asian arts museum organizes tea ceremonies led by tea masters from different Japanese tea schools. According to the museum's website, "Tea ceremonies offer a special opportunity to experience one of the most refined aspects of Japanese lifestyle, structured around four principles: harmony (wa), respect (kei), purity (sei), and serenity (jaku). They also provide an understanding of the importance that the Japanese attach to communion with nature and the quality of interpersonal relationships." The museum applies these principles by offering demonstrations in its Buddhist Pantheon garden, far from the hustle and bustle of Parisian life.
  
  Address: 6 Place d'Iéna, 75116 Paris.
  
• Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris: Since 1997, the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris has been an essential venue for Japanese culture. It offers a variety of courses, ranging from language classes to ikebana, calligraphy, and Japanese folk dancing. It also organises demonstrations of the Omotesenke school of tea ceremony, as well as regular classes for adults, children, and teenagers. Calling all enthusiasts!
  
  Address: 101 bis, quai Jacques Chirac, 75015 Paris.
  
  
• Albert Kahn Museum: On the outskirts of Paris, the Albert Kahn Museum also organises tea ceremonies in its garden, presented by the Urasenke school. This is an opportunity to enjoy this tea ritual with its slow and precise movements in a green setting, ideal during sunny days.
  
  Address: 2 rue du port, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt.

Where can you enjoy matcha tasting in Paris?

Now that you have experienced the spiritual and cultural dimension of matcha, you will no doubt want to drink it again, in a less formal setting.

Below is a list of my favorite places to drink matcha:

• Kodama Paris: a tea bar run by enthusiasts, offering only creations made from natural products. In addition to a varied menu of green, white, and black teas and homemade infusions, Kodama offers a delicious, umami-rich matcha latte realised with our premium organic matcha. The products served are also available for purchase in the shop and online.
  
  Two addresses for two different atmospheres: at 30 rue Tiquetonne, a small, cozy room reminiscent of a cabinet of curiosities; at 69 boulevard Beaumarchais, a large, spacious room with an industrial style and walls covered in bark. There's something for everyone!
  
  Addresses: 30 rue Tiquetonne, 75002 Paris - >69 boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris
  
  
• OGATA Paris: Located in the heart of the Marais, OGATA has established itself as a mecca for Japanese cuisine and tea, with an exceptional setting and service. OGATA not only offers a selection of excellent green teas, including very high-quality matcha, but also discovery workshops in its basement tea room, called Sabō. It is also possible to enjoy it accompanied by delicious wagashi pastries. A must-visit in Paris for any tea lover.
  
  Address: 16 rue Debelleyme, 75003 Paris

Why not buy organic matcha online?

If you want to prepare your own matcha at home and choose exactly the one that suits YOU, why not opt for an online purchase?

With Kumiko Matcha, I offer you organic Japanese matcha, produced by artisan farmers with great expertise and enthusiasm for their craft. I have selected matcha for my community that is suitable for all types of use, whether for cooking and making pastries, making a smooth matcha latte, or even for drinking pure and creating your own matcha ritual.

To start with, I recommend our community's favorite matcha: organic Saemidori!

>>> Click here to view all of our organic matcha teas