At 17, a heart attack turned my life upside down. The doctors didn't know what was wrong with me or how to treat me. Their advice: "Enjoy your life, Valentin." But after the shock, I quickly realized that this was a real gift. I decided to live each moment to the fullest and view life differently. 

And in 2012, in Shanghai, I discovered real Japanese matcha. This morning ritual quickly became my anchor, my source of wellbeing, mindfulness, and a true ally for my health. But on my return to France, it was impossible to find matcha that lived up to my expectations. So I decided to go to Japan and bring this treasure back with me.

That's how Kumiko was born: to share this authentic matcha that transformed my life.

Every year, I travel to Japan to meet with our partner farmers and select the best cultivars with them. Together, we focus on micro-batches and exceptional terroirs that you won't find anywhere else.

I know each producer personally: their techniques, their expertise, their commitment to organic and respectful farming. This relationship of trust, built up year after year, is what gives our matcha its soul.

Because at Kumiko, matcha is not just a product: it is an encounter, a human connection, a promise of authenticity.