Mad for matcha: South Kensington’s Tombo releases tea range

In Japan, drinking tea is a ritual. The 'Way of Tea' – the elaborate preparation of powdered green matcha tea – is a quiet ceremony deeply rooted within Japanese culture, which carefully demonstrates harmony, respect, purity and tranquillity through the presentation of the drink.
Londoners can experience the art of tea preparation – as well as tip-top Japanese food – at Tombo in South Kensington. This Japanese cafe and matcha bar – the first authentic example of its kind in the city – was launched five years ago by Colin and Manami Endo-Sloley, and their son Louis, who named it after the Japanese word for dragonfly, symbolising renewal and positive force.
To complement the cafe, Tombo has launched a range of green teas and matcha sourced from the foothills of Mount Fuji and developed in partnership with the highly regarded tea estate Maruyama Seicha in Shizuoka. The nourishing sakura (Japanese cherry) tea infused with cherry-blossom kukicha, made of stems and twigs, offers a lighter alternative to regular green tea, while the ultimate matcha powder, for health and mind, is said to restore energy. Other blends include grassy-flavoured sencha and toasty hojicha with ginger – and even matcha baking powder for cooking with.
The packaging was designed by Natsko Seki, the acclaimed London-based illustrator, who has produced works for Louis Vuitton and Hermès. She created contemporary yet playful designs, capturing the spirit and heart of her native Japan.
Drink these teas with ichi-go ichi-e in mind – the philosophy that suggests that each gathering should be treasured, for it can never be reproduced.
The packaging, designed by Natsko Seki, captures the essence of Japanese culture
Sourced from the foothills of Mount Fuji, Tombo's matcha is rich in vitamins and minerals, making it a good source of energy
The nourishing sakura, a Japanese cherry tea, is infused with cherry-blossom kukicha – it's a lighter and sweeter alternative to regular green tea
ADDRESS
Tombo
29 Thurloe Place
South Kensington
London, SW7 2HQ
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Naoto Fukasawa sparks children’s imaginations with play sculptures
The Japanese designer creates an intuitive series of bold play sculptures, designed to spark children’s desire to play without thinking
By Danielle Demetriou
-
Japan in Milan! See the highlights of Japanese design at Milan Design Week 2025
At Milan Design Week 2025 Japanese craftsmanship was a front runner with an array of projects in the spotlight. Here are some of our highlights
By Danielle Demetriou
-
Tour the best contemporary tea houses around the world
Celebrate the world’s most unique tea houses, from Melbourne to Stockholm, with a new book by Wallpaper’s Léa Teuscher
By Léa Teuscher
-
Nostalgic American cereals have been reimagined – and they're healthy now
Scoop up your daily dose of childhood nostalgia
By Phoebe Gardner
-
London remembers the hazy days of 1960s alcohol advertising with Campari
By Elly Parsons
-
Sex, fashion and disco: forgotten footage of 1970s New York uncovered
By Elly Parsons
-
From Jony Ive’s perfectly minimalist cover to a peek inside Apple Park and beyond
By Sarah Douglas
-
Visual feast: tracing Fortnum & Mason’s rich culinary and illustrative history
By Jessica Klingelfuss