I Love You Macaron Tea – Theodor Paris
I didn’t think I’d actually fall in love with tea. Can you imagine a tea with scents of macarons and pistachios? Heaven. On top of it, this unique brew is called “I Love You” – Je t’aime.
The teas of Theodor Paris have been a very recent discovery of mine thanks to my friend, Francis for introducing me to Monsieur Leleu’s new creation, the Absolu Oolong. And when I say discovery, it’s not just that his speciality teas are so different to anything else I’ve ever tasted; like drinking good wine, they’ve helped me learn to appreciate teas’ deliciously complex aromas; take the time and pleasure with my cuppa; (I know, I know – this sounds corny but it’s true…) even evoke a smile.
I’m so glad I popped in to the original boutique where Theodor started in the 16th arrondissement. It’s just a few minutes walk from Trocadero and I thoroughly recommend a visit with the charming Sylvie. Previously a creamery, the decor is still testament to such a location with the ceiling and wall panels by Anselm in Rue du Roi Doré (golden king street) in the 7th.
Guillaume Leleu started up this first shop here in 2002 and since then has been taking the tea world by storm with his Theodor creations, now in 30 different countries. Each year about 100 tons of teas personally selected from around the world (mostly from Asia) are transformed in his zen-like laboratory in the previous Singer factory in Bonnières sur Seine, within rowing-boat distance from Monet’s gardens at Giverny.
Calling himself the Insolent Parisian, Theodor’s founder has us travel with him – whether it’s through the descriptions of his teas or online – finding beauty in everyday things through his poetic words, embodying the art of tea.
The inspiration of the Impertinent Parisian is embodied in sixteen essences that form the aromatic tea palette in an impertinent and poetic way. Impertinent, because it tempts us to take a shortcut and welcome the unexpected. Poetic, because it makes us discover shifting horizons and jostles our view and senses, provoking us to a game of desire and astonishment in disguise, while inviting us to marvel in front of the revisited daily Parisian routine.
Such impertinent essences are represented by 16 colourful satin ribbons that make a statement around each of the characteristic tea tins containing teas of origin, black flavoured teas, green flavoured teas, infusions named “weeds” or herbal teas.
Je t’aime belongs to the “Teas of the Gallantry” essence, represented with a fuchsia pink ribbon. Gallantry expresses “pastry flavours tasting like fruit and candy. They will offer a flattering and indulging pleasure while remaining light and refined.”
The day I visited, Marìa, also from the talented Theodor team, made a pot of this rather special brew.
I Love You‘s pronounced fragrances are indeed pistachio and macaron. Like an alchemist in the kitchen or in a perfumery, Monsieur Leleu creates the macaron flavour by adding ingredients such as pink peony petals (clearly visible), bitter almond, coconut, chocolate, chopped almond pieces, and coconut shavings.
Just as with tasting wine, when the tea was finished I loved swirling around the end of the tea to gather all of the wonderful aromas around the empty, fragranced teacup.
This macaron tea has a loving green tea sister, J’aime, flavoured with notes of macaron and strawberry.
As more gigantic tea containers were opened, it was intriguing to sniff revel in the different tea leaves’ bouquets with their added surprises which make up each and every creation.
Jour J (meaning “The Big Day”) is aptly named, as this dreamy white tea (Bai Mu Dan) has astonishing notes to resemble the flavour and sensation of rosé Champagne. Monsieur Leleu cleverly concocts this sensation by adding bits of strawberry, helianthus (or sunflower) petals and jasmine flowers, just to name a few of the magical ingredients.
Likewise, ingredients are added to create a black tea, Sans Complexe (no complex), with lemon and vanilla to arrive at a lemon meringue pie. Tribute, conjures up the most amazing flavours of frangipane, while Oolong Milky conjures up the most buttery and milk fragrances. This list goes on …
This Carpe Diem is red rooibos tea, with “greedy” (that’s another of the 16 essences) notes of red fruits, toasted and sugar-coated almonds. Marìa suggested using this tea to perfume rice by placing just a couple of teaspoons in it while cooking. Try it. It’s genius!
Try making this fragranced green tea-infused rice pudding recipe and see what I mean.
Blue Oolong Lotus is a green tea from Vietnam and the lotus flower is used to impart a scent to the tea leaves by placing them inside the flower just before it closes at night to take on the fragrance of this very special flower. How’s that for creativity?
The perfect “tea gourmet”: a cup or two of I Love You, rose and chocolate macarons and some almond financier teacakes (the recipes are all in Teatime in Paris).
The only way to have a cup of tea, is by loving it.
I’ll drink to that, Monsieur Leleu. Cheers to discovering the unexpected, new views and senses, and revisiting daily Parisian routine.
THEODOR TEA PARIS
28 Rue des Sablons
75016 Paris
Metro: Trocadéro

I was there four months ago. The lady was so nice that she kept the shop opened 30 minutes more. I was in heaven. I bought a lot of teas but only 2 are on your least. Milky Oolong and Carpe Diem are amaizing…..
Such a beautiful writen story. Im moving into a new appartment and getting rid of the ikea furniture and only getting this old furniture. Perfect fir tea time.
I’m so glad you also loved the experience here, Cristina. Since I wrote this post a while ago, there are many teas I have now added to my growing personal list, including ‘Travel to India’, ‘Pêché Mignon’ and still adore the Absol’Oolong, which is great with cheese! Good luck with your move – and cheers to many happy tea times!
Tea Sanctuary are now selling these teas in the UK! Get them now at http://www.teasanctuary.co.uk
hello sir . i am tea supplier from india. i want to export good quality of tea at the very lower price. i have orthdogs tea, green tea and black tea. and i have organic and non organic of every kind of tea.if you are intrested than i can send good quality of tea at the very lower price
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Once again, your words transport me. My favorite tea is Dragon Pearl Jasmine which I purchase at a specialty tea shop in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Having read your experience at this shop inspires me to try new teas. And you know I’ll have no shortage of fresh, homemade pâtisserie made from the recipes in a certain cookbook to enjoy with the tea!
Thanks for your kind words, Brooks. Yes, this shop has pushed me to become a bit more adventurous with tea. Your Dragon Pearl Jasmine sounds lovely – I am looking into jasmine teas just now to fragrance pastry creams for éclairs and tarts – plus macarons …
Dragon Pearl Jasmine ! Never try this one, but I’d like. Good tea, with jasmine made in the good way is definitely an experience so Chinese 🙂
Longing to taste Je t’aime. Love the idea of specialist tea in a glass cup. Would also love to taste J’aime – macaron and strawberry. Really must visit when next in Paris.
Thomasina, you would love it – and the shop is so charming. They have so many incredible teas to try and all so different for every palate.
Such fun tea flavors! I’m usually pretty boring with my selection, but if I was in Paris, I’d definitely give these a try! All these terrific posts have me yearning to get back to Paris 🙂
I am so hoping that you’ll come over soon, Liz. Glad to hear these posts are tempting you 😉
Such a nice article !
This boutique is definitely charming. And because of summer, it’s time to prepare iced teas ^^.
I already tried “Une autre idée ?” rooibos in iced mode, and everybody appreciated (passion fruit, guanabana) 🙂
Dear Francis, thanks to you I discovered this tea and now I have to try even more? What a lovely concoction this sounds. Cheers to a fruity rooibos teatime!
Thanks for the introduction Jill – need to check this out since hadn’t heard of them. Sounds magnifique.
Jean-Pierre, you would love this place. Next time you’re in Paris check it out. It’s a real treat.