Milia Matcha is a French matcha brand sourcing ceremonial-grade powder exclusively from Mie Prefecture, Japan. Its range uses Okumidori, cultivar valued for natural sweetness and low bitterness, in original and flavored ceremonial blends.
Local producer supplies leaves grown under kabuse shading, selected during ichibancha, then steamed, refined into tencha, and stone-ground under temperature-controlled conditions. Founder Andie Ella launched brand in November 2023, naming it for her grandmother Emilia.
Milia Matcha emerged in November 2023 with a clear mission: bring authentic Japanese matcha to France without compromise. Founded by Andie Ella, the brand achieved what few startups accomplish—becoming France’s #1 Japanese matcha within months of launch.
The Okumidori Difference
While many brands mix cultivars or source from multiple regions, Milia Matcha takes a focused approach. Every product features Okumidori matcha exclusively sourced from Mie Prefecture, one of Japan’s most respected tea-growing regions. This single-cultivar commitment ensures consistent flavor profiles and quality standards across the entire product line.
Okumidori translates to “deep green,” and the cultivar lives up to its name. Known for producing vibrant color and balanced umami notes, this varietal represents a deliberate choice that sets Milia Matcha apart in an increasingly crowded market.
Built on Direct Relationships
Milia Matcha works directly with producers in Mie Prefecture, eliminating intermediaries that can compromise freshness and inflate costs. This direct-sourcing model creates transparency from farm to cup while supporting traditional Japanese tea cultivation methods.
The brand’s rapid rise to market leadership reflects more than smart sourcing. It demonstrates how French consumers respond when they encounter genuine quality backed by traceable origins and consistent execution.
What Milia Matcha Offers
The brand centers its offerings around premium Japanese matcha products, each reflecting the same commitment to the Okumidori cultivar and Mie Prefecture sourcing. This focused approach means customers know exactly what they’re getting—no surprises, no compromises.
- Single-origin consistency: Every product traces back to the same trusted region and cultivar
- Premium grade selection: Focused on ceremonial and culinary grades that meet exacting standards
- Direct-trade transparency: Clear connections between French consumers and Japanese producers
A Brand That Earned Its Position
Becoming France’s leading Japanese matcha brand in under a year isn’t luck. Milia Matcha earned this position by refusing to cut corners, maintaining direct relationships with growers, and delivering on the promise of authentic Japanese quality. For matcha enthusiasts seeking the real thing, Andie Ella’s vision has created a brand that honors tradition while meeting modern expectations.
Milia Matcha offers a range of ceremonial-grade matcha crafted from the rare Okumidori (奥緑) cultivar sourced exclusively from Japan, combining 100% Japanese matcha without bitterness with distinct flavor variants.
Product line
- Matcha Cérémonie — the foundational ceremonial grade.
- Matcha Cérémonie Vanille — vanilla-infused ceremonial matcha.
- Matcha Cérémonie Fraise — strawberry-flavored ceremonial matcha.
- Matcha Cérémonie Chocolat Blanc — white chocolate ceremonial matcha.
- Les Essentiels — a complete starter kit.
Quality
Every flavored variant keeps the ceremonial-grade base intact. The Okumidori cultivar is prized for a naturally sweet profile and minimal bitterness, with traditional shading, hand-picking during ichibancha (first harvest), and stone grinding for a smooth texture.
Milia Matcha sources its matcha exclusively from Mie Prefecture, Japan, a region with a strong tea-production heritage, working directly with a local producer to make a 100% Japanese matcha without bitterness.
The Okumidori Cultivar
The matcha comes from the Okumidori cultivar, prized for its naturally sweet profile and minimal bitterness. These traits let Milia Matcha reach its signature smooth taste without the harsh notes common to lower grades.
Traditional Production
Plants are shade-grown under the kabuse technique for about three to four weeks before harvest, raising chlorophyll and L-theanine. The finest young leaves are carefully selected, often hand-picked, during the first harvest, then steamed to halt oxidation. Stems and veins are removed to leave pure tencha, which is slowly stone-ground into fine powder in temperature-controlled conditions.
Milia Matcha was founded on 10 November 2023 by Andie Ella, who named the brand in tribute to her grandmother Emilia. Her journey began with the popular "Madame Matcha" YouTube channel, where she shared matcha recipes, and a pivotal trip to Japan inspired her to launch the brand.
In January 2024, Forbes France recognized it as the number one Japanese matcha brand in France, and further media coverage in Forbes France and Sortiraparis.com followed in September 2024.
Milia Matcha was founded on November 10, 2023 by Andie Ella, inspired by her grandmother Émilia and her passion for authentic Japanese matcha made from the Okumidori cultivar.
In January 2024, Milia Matcha was recognized by Forbes France as the number one Japanese matcha brand in France, marking a significant milestone in its early history.
Milia Matcha introduced new flavored ceremonial matcha products in May 2024, combining traditional matcha quality with innovative tastes like strawberry and vanilla.
On September 30, 2024, Milia Matcha received extensive media coverage including features in Forbes France and Sortiraparis.com, further boosting its visibility and credibility.
Milia Matcha sources exclusively from the Okumidori cultivar grown in Mie Prefecture, Japan. This noble and rare cultivar is prized for its naturally sweet flavor profile and minimal bitterness, which aligns perfectly with founder Andie Ella's vision of offering 100% Japanese matcha without any bitterness. The Okumidori's unique characteristics allow Milia Matcha to create their signature taste that distinguishes them from brands using more common cultivars like Yabukita or Samidori.
The brand name Milia Matcha is a heartfelt tribute to founder Andie Ella's grandmother, Émilia. Founded in November 2023, the brand embodies a feminine and minimalist aesthetic that reflects this personal connection. This family heritage adds a unique emotional dimension to the brand, setting it apart from other matcha companies with more commercial origins.
Milia Matcha offers an innovative selection of flavored ceremonial matcha varieties that blend tradition with modern tastes:
- Matcha Cérémonie (traditional)
- Matcha Cérémonie Fraise (strawberry)
- Matcha Cérémonie Vanille (vanilla)
These gourmands parfums (gourmet flavors) harmonize delicately with the subtlety of their Okumidori matcha base, creating a tonic and comforting effect while maintaining ceremonial quality standards.
Forbes France recognized Milia Matcha as the number one Japanese matcha tea brand in France due to their remarkable achievement of conquering the French market in less than a year since their November 2023 founding. This recognition reflects their swift rise through quality sourcing from Mie Prefecture, innovative flavored ceremonial varieties, and Andie Ella's authentic passion shared through her Madame Matcha YouTube channel.
Milia Matcha demonstrates their commitment to responsible business practices by donating a portion of their profits to Rêves, an association dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of sick children. This partnership, combined with their collaboration with local French businesses and emphasis on supply chain transparency, showcases how the brand integrates social responsibility into their core mission beyond just selling premium matcha.