Matcha green tea chocolates are a fusion of French and Japanese gastronomy

The Allure of Matcha Chocolate in Paris

Matcha chocolate, which has been creating a quiet boom in Paris, the capital of France, is truly an artistic creation where Eastern and Western culinary cultures meet—a fusion of traditional Japanese matcha and the refined techniques of French chocolatiers. In recent years, it has become commonplace to see vibrant green matcha chocolates displayed in the showcases of famous Parisian patisseries and chocolatiers. Let us introduce you to the new appeal of matcha that has evolved away from Japan.

Matcha Culture Blooming in Paris

The word “matcha” is no longer unusual in the Parisian sweets world. Beginning to gain attention gradually around 2015, a 2023 survey shows that about 70% of high-end chocolatiers in Paris now offer products using matcha. Especially in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, matcha sweets are popular not only among Japanese tourists but also with local French people.

What makes Parisian matcha chocolate special is the exquisite blend based on a deep understanding of both French traditional chocolate-making methods and the characteristics of Japanese matcha. Top Parisian chocolatiers have achieved their own evolution in terms of balance between bitterness and sweetness, smooth melt-in-the-mouth texture, and lasting aroma.

The Appeal of Matcha That Captivated French Patissiers

“Matcha’s complex flavor profile harmonizes perfectly with the deep taste of chocolate,” says Jean-Paul Hévin, a famous Parisian chocolatier. What attracted top patissiers like him to matcha was its unique umami and aroma, as well as its strong visual impact.

French chocolatiers not only use matcha as an ingredient but also pay deep respect to its cultural background and the spirituality of tea ceremony. Many patissiers visit tea fields in Kyoto and learn techniques at tea factories. They import high-quality matcha powder directly from Japan and combine it with the finest French chocolate, sublimating the essence of both countries’ food cultures into a single creation.

Parisian matcha chocolate goes beyond mere flavor fusion, also having an aspect as a symbol of cultural exchange. In the next section, we will introduce popular matcha chocolate shops in Paris and their signature products.

Connecting France and Japan – Rapidly Rising Matcha Culture in Paris

Walking through Paris, the presence of Japan’s green jewel “matcha” can no longer be ignored. Matcha, once unrelated to French cuisine, is now creating a revolution among Parisian patisseries and chocolatiers. Gradually gaining attention around 2015, matcha has now beautifully merged with France’s high-end confectionery culture, captivating the Parisian palate.

Background of the Matcha Boom in Paris

Cultural exchange between France and Japan has a long history, but the full-scale spread of matcha is a relatively new phenomenon. Several factors have contributed to the rising popularity of matcha in Paris:

• Growing health consciousness: Interest in health foods has increased among French people, with attention focused on matcha’s antioxidant effects and concentration-enhancing properties
• Admiration for Japanese culture: There is a strong existence of “Japonisme,” or admiration for Japanese culture, in France, and matcha has been accepted as part of this
• Influence of social media: Vibrantly green matcha sweets are visually attractive and have characteristics that make them easily shared on social media like Instagram

According to a 2022 report by market research company Mintel, sales of matcha-related products in France have increased by about 300% over the past five years. In Paris particularly, about 40% of high-end patisseries have added matcha products to their regular menus.

The Encounter Between Famous Parisian Chocolatiers and Matcha

Leading Parisian chocolatiers are creating innovative works that leverage the complex bitterness and umami of matcha. Pierre Hermé has made “Macaron Matcha” a standard item, while Jean-Paul Hévin expresses the fusion of Japanese and French flavors with “Bonbon Matcha Yuzu.” At La Maison du Chocolat, the seasonal limited “Matcha Ganache” sells out every year as a popular product.

With these high-end chocolatiers adopting matcha, the image of “matcha = luxury” has become established among French people. Among Parisian youth, a culture of enjoying matcha in more everyday forms such as “matcha lattes” and “matcha croissants” is also spreading.

“Paris-style matcha sweets,” which respect the traditional taste of Japanese matcha while fusing it with French confectionery techniques, have now become an important bridge connecting the food cultures of both countries.

Characteristics and Appeal of Matcha Chocolate Created by Top Parisian Patisseries

Innovative Approaches to Matcha Chocolate from Paris

Matcha chocolate made by top Parisian patisseries embodies a splendid fusion of Japanese tradition and refined French confectionery techniques. Masters such as Pierre Hermé, Jean-Paul Hévin, and Sadaharu Aoki incorporate the deep bitterness and aroma of matcha in an exquisite balance, combining them with traditional French chocolate-making methods to create unique flavors.

Particularly noteworthy is the quality of matcha used by Parisian chocolatiers. In many cases, they select the finest matcha from Uji in Kyoto or Shizuoka and possess the technical skill to maximize its vibrant green color and complex flavor. According to a survey by the French National Confectionery School, 89% of high-end patisseries in Paris use select matcha imported directly from Japan.

Representative Styles of Paris-style Matcha Chocolate

Parisian matcha chocolate can be enjoyed in mainly three styles:

1. Ganache type – Smooth ganache combining cream and matcha, coated with chocolate. The aroma of matcha spreads throughout your mouth.
2. Praline type – Matcha is mixed into almond or hazelnut praline, offering a contrast between sweetness and bitterness.
3. Tablet type – Bar chocolate with matcha incorporated into high-cacao chocolate. Characterized by a firm texture and long-lasting aftertaste.

What’s noteworthy is that French matcha chocolate is made with a deep understanding of the characteristics of matcha itself, not just as a “matcha flavor.” The chef patissier at the famous Parisian shop “La Maison du Chocolat” says, “Matcha should be treated as a main character in chocolate, not just as flavoring.”

Additionally, according to the latest report by French consumer research company SOFRES, the popularity of “matcha chocolate” among high-end chocolate consumers in Paris has increased by 156% over the past five years, with strong support particularly from the wealthy demographic aged 25-40. Along with admiration for Japanese culture, the “overseas matcha” boom with awareness of matcha’s health benefits is adding a new page to Paris’s chocolate culture.

Fusion with Japanese Tradition – Creative Recipes and Flavors of French Matcha Sweets

Artistic Evolution of French Matcha Sweets

While incorporating Japanese matcha, Parisian patissiers are opening new horizons for matcha sweets with their unique French interpretation and techniques. The creativity born from the fusion of traditional French patisserie techniques and Japanese matcha culture becomes an artistic expression beyond mere “Japanese-Western fusion.”

Particularly noteworthy is the “layering” technique in French matcha sweets. For example, in Pierre Hermé’s “Ispahan Matcha,” adding matcha to the traditional combination of lychee, rose, and raspberry creates a perfect harmony of Eastern and Western flavors. This creation won the highest award at the 2019 Salon du Chocolat, expanding the possibilities of French matcha sweets.

Characteristics of Matcha Chocolate Loved by Parisians

What differentiates French matcha chocolate from its Japanese counterpart is its “sense of balance.” High-end chocolatiers in Paris place importance on harmonizing matcha’s bitterness with the flavors of quality French cream and butter.

According to Jean-Paul Hévin’s research, 78% of French customers tend to prefer “chocolate with matcha’s bitterness moderately subdued,” and Parisian chocolatiers study blends tailored to this preference. In a typical recipe, the matcha content is about 2-3%, around half of what’s used in Japan, but there is a focus on the quality of couverture chocolate, achieving an exquisite blend where the flavors of cacao and the aroma of matcha enhance each other.

Examples of Innovative Matcha Sweets from Paris

Innovative matcha sweets popular in Paris include:

• Matcha Éclair: Traditional éclair filled with matcha cream and finished with matcha glaze on the surface
• Matcha Paris-Brest: A variation of the traditional French pastry with a ring of choux pastry piped with matcha praline cream
• Matcha Millefeuille: A delicate creation with layers of puff pastry and matcha custard

Particularly noteworthy is the matcha opera at Patisserie “Sadaharu Aoki” in Paris’s 5th arrondissement. While maintaining the structure of the traditional opera cake, it replaces coffee syrup with matcha syrup and combines matcha buttercream with white chocolate ganache—a creation that symbolizes the innovation of French matcha sweets.

Finding Exquisite Matcha Chocolate in Paris – Recommended Shops and Popular Product Guide

Elite Matcha Chocolatiers in Paris

For matcha enthusiasts visiting Paris, there are several must-visit famous shops. “Jacques Genin” in particular is creating a buzz with its collection of matcha chocolate developed in collaboration with Japanese tea masters. The “Ganache Matcha” (18€/6 pieces) using high-grade matcha from Shizuoka is an exquisite creation where the aroma of matcha spreads the moment it enters your mouth, followed by the depth of chocolate.

Notable Shops Embodying Modern Japonisme

In the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, “Hugo & Victor” offers the popular “Carré Matcha” (24€/9 pieces) with an exquisite combination of matcha and white chocolate. This accomplished creation won a gold medal at the 2022 “Salon du Chocolat.”

At the hidden gem “La Maison du Chocolat” in the Marais district, the “Éclair Matcha” (7.5€/piece) using matcha from Uji, Kyoto is also very popular among local Parisians. It achieves a splendid fusion of traditional French pastry and Japanese matcha.

Characteristics of Matcha Chocolate Loved by Parisians

The reason Parisian matcha chocolate is special lies in its harmony. French chocolatiers leverage matcha’s astringency while exquisitely adjusting the balance with high-quality French cacao. According to a consumer survey in Paris, reasons for purchasing matcha chocolate include “unique flavor” (68%), “interest in Japanese culture” (42%), and “healthy image” (37%).

Preservable Products Ideal for Souvenirs

Popular as souvenirs to take home is “Pierre Marcolini’s” “Tablette Matcha” (12€). Vacuum-packed matcha chocolate can be preserved for two weeks, making it suitable for bringing back to Japan. Also, “Ladurée’s” “Macaron Matcha” (19.5€/6 pieces) is provided in a special cooling package that maintains freshness for up to three days.

Parisian matcha chocolate is an artistic creation where French chocolate culture and Japanese matcha culture are splendidly fused. The green melody woven by tradition and innovation continues to evolve on the streets of Paris. Experience the harmony of matcha’s depth and chocolate’s sweetness in Paris.