The Brown Thumb has been serving Denton for the last four years. (Joi Louviere/COURIER DFW)
Recently, I headed to Downtown Denton to try a place I’d saved in Google Maps for the better part of a year. The Brown Thumb is half matcha bar, half plant shop, and has grown a pretty large online following. Dual concept businesses have become really popular in recent years, allowing entrepreneurs to tap into two things that they love that just so happen to complement each other, and nothing goes better than matcha and plants.
The Brown Thumb opened in 2022, but this past November, the shop went viral when food influencer Keith Lee, who’s based in DFW, visited. He made a video saying that one of the shop’s matcha lattes was one of the best he’d ever had.
I visited in the middle of the day on a Monday, when it was pretty quiet, and was greeted by two friendly staff members who had extensive matcha knowledge and, I could tell, were passionate about the shop.
I had a friend with me who had never tried matcha, so they walked her through how it was made and let her sample a little before ordering. I ordered an ube matcha latte with oat milk and, from the first sip, noticed the high-quality matcha powder used.
Starbucks and other large retailers are not using small-batch, ceremonial-grade matcha, which is important for avoiding the bitter, dirt taste many shops subject us to.
I really enjoyed my order, and I think it’s smart that they offer other caffeine options for folks who aren’t into matcha. What I loved most about this space is that it’s become a community gathering spot, working to make connections through workshops and events, as well as its everyday offerings. I was even being nosy and noticed a closed patio space that’s part of the building, and I heard they may use it to host more events later this year. I’m going to keep an eye out for that!
Next time you’re in the Denton area, please make this detour, and tell them COURIER DFW sent you.
Don’t Sleep On is a weekly series in the COURIER DFW newsletter where I shout out DFW events and businesses I think you should try. Have a suggestion? Write in.
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