Our team

Bought directly from growers and farmers, all the teas at Le Palais des Thés have undergone a strict selection process overseen by our experts. This method of sourcing direct allows us to offer the highest quality, freshest teas. China, India, Japan, Taiwan, Nepal and Sri Lanka are the main countries we source from.

François-Xavier Delmas

The founder of Le Palais des Thés, François-Xavier Delmas has spent the last 25 years travelling around the tea plantations of the world, and spends several months a year in the best production regions.
Through his constant presence on the ground – unique in the world – he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the gardens and plantations, regions and techniques, and above all, of the people who work daily to produce the finest teas.

Over the years, he has had the opportunity to taste some exceptional teas and discover rare pluckings that are true gems of the local gastronomy, but completely unknown in the West.

This inestimable knowledge, acquired out in the field, is particularly reflected in the selection of Rare and Ephemeral Teas offered in Le Palais des Thés stores.

Mathias Minet

Mathias discovered tea at the age of 14, through Le Palais des Thés. Some ten years later, he realised the dream of his youth and joined the team at Le Palais des Thés.

A taster of fine teas and creator of our special blends, he is co-director alongside François-Xavier Delmas. In 1999, the two men founded L’Ecole du Thé to educate others on tea tasting, where they pass on their expertise, experience and passion for tea. Together, they have also published a guide to tea tasting, Le Guide de Dégustation de l'Amateur de Thé, considered one of the key reference books on the subject.

Carine Baudry

Trained as a flavourist and a graduate of the prestigious Isipca school, where the best ”noses” in France learn their art, Carine Baudry met François-Xavier Delmas and Mathias Minet in the early 2000s.

She helped them launch L’Ecole du Thé and today is its Director, as well as being closely involved in selecting fine teas for Le Palais des Thés. She also contributes her knowledge of fragrances to the team that creates our scented blends.

The Tea-Atelier

The know-how of Le Palais des Thés also extends to the creation of scented blends. Flavouring tea, which already has its own fragrance and flavour identity, through the addition of fruits and essential oils, is an acquired skill that demands talent and inspiration. Le Palais des Thés has excelled in this field, particularly with its own blends like Thé des Moines and Thé du Hammam.