"Stay Grounded, Stay Zen"

Our Story

We’re Danlis (Dan) and Mary Jernette (MJ) Grullon, proud owners of Zen Cha Matcha, and this is our story.

We’ve been together since high school, meeting as teenagers in Yonkers, NY. It was love at first sight, and 16 years later, we’re still building our dreams together.

At just 18 years old, we welcomed our son, DJ, who’s now 15 and thriving as a sophomore at Darien High School. This year, our family grew with the arrival of our baby girl, Olive Mei, who’s been the sweetest addition to our lives. Rounding out our family is Neji, our 6-year-old Shiba Inu and the inspiration behind Zen Cha Matcha’s logo.

Our journey with matcha started as a shared love for Japanese culture, which MJ grew up immersed in, thanks to her paternal family in Tokyo. What began as frequent trips to NYC to explore matcha cafes turned into a passion for bringing authentic, high-quality matcha to our community.

A life-changing experience came when Dan surprised MJ with a traditional Japanese tea ceremony led by Yoshitsugu Nagano. That day, a dream began to take root. Nagano Sensei became Dan’s teacher, guiding him in the art of tea and introducing us to a 400-year-old tea farm in Japan, the Mizoguchi family, who now provides the ceremonial-grade matcha we proudly serve.

We started small, participating in farmers’ markets and pop-up events throughout Upper Westchester and Fairfield County. The incredible support and feedback from our community gave us the confidence to bring our vision to life with Zen Cha Matcha’s first brick-and-mortar location at Darien Commons.

Opening in Darien felt like destiny. The close-knit, supportive community reminded us of the values we hold dear: faith, family, and staying grounded. We love how Darien is blossoming with new opportunities and small businesses, creating a vibrant atmosphere where people come together.

At Zen Cha Matcha, everything we create is health-focused and intentional. MJ’s love for interior design, baking, and creativity shines through in every drink, pastry, and detail of our space. Dan’s passion for fashion, exercise, and the art of tea fuels his commitment to sharing the mindful discipline of matcha with others.

Our drinks, like the Blue Zen, Purple Haze, and Golden Hour, combine organic, superfood ingredients with the rich traditions of matcha preparation.

Beyond our business, family is everything to us. Whether we’re traveling to NYC to discover new food spots, taste-testing MJ’s latest recipes, or simply enjoying time together, we find joy in the little things.

Our motto, “Good things come to those who wait,” resonates in everything we do—from the care we put into preparing matcha to the patience it takes to build a life we love.

To our Darien community, we are deeply grateful for the warm embrace you’ve given us. Zen Cha Matcha is more than a cafe—it’s a space to slow down, stay grounded, and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

Stay grounded, stay zen,
Dan & MJ Grullon

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In The Press

A heartfelt thank you for the features.

These New York transplants are bringing their expertise and passion for matcha to Darien

New Canaan, Darien & Rowayton Magazine

MATCHA LOVE

Darien Living