2024-10-25 03:00:00
From the outside, it looks amazing. But the lagoon blue storefront on rue Lafayette, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, doesn’t quite announce the color. 48 Collagen Café does not serve coffee. No strong espresso, no hot chocolate, or jello eggs for breakfast. In a trendy, deceptively dilapidated decor, decrepit walls, impeccable Hungarian parquet flooring, high-tech lighting, the place offers hydrolyzed collagen, that is to say whose molecules have been fragmented, to be enjoyed on site or to take away. . On the menu: mochi with marine collagen, sweet potato and spirulina extract; vegetable drinks based on rice and soy enriched with marine collagen and added, of your choice, raspberry puree and matcha tea, activated charcoal and sesame seeds or spirulina; beef bone broth, naturally concentrated in collagen served in XXL-sized mugs filled to the brim.
Here, the key ingredient, collagen (the most abundant protein in the human body which ensures the elasticity of the skin and the robustness of bones, ligaments, tendons and cartilage), is of marine origin, extracted scales, skin and fish bones. But he doesn’t feel the tide. According to those – the majority of customers are women – who have tasted them, these specialties supposed to help stressed skin regain the suppleness and youthful radiance are “delicious”. They are sold at the price of a daily special and, for 2 euros more, it is possible to add an extra spoonful of this powder that everyone is talking about and supposed to work miracles to your potion.
“I started taking collagen for my joints, and then I noticed that my skin was less dry, more plumped,” says Amandine Fornot, head of a digital communications agency and co-author of Paris Wllnss Guide (Éditions Papier), which lists the beauty addresses in the capital. A follower of Ayurvedic medicine (from Indian tradition) and prone to osteoarthritis, it was she who had the idea of this Collagen Café. A few trips to Korea finally convinced her to open a business. It must be said that “there, it’s a reflex, a well-integrated routine, explains Dane Kim, beauty, fashion and food trends consultant in France and Korea. Everyone takes their collagen in the morning, like you drink your squeezed orange.”
The thriving wellness market
Since December 2023, 48 Collagen Café, the first establishment of its kind in France, has been offering “fashionable, functional drinks that address different skin problems, with sourced active ingredients”, promotes neobarista Amandine Fornot. Visually, its foamy and colorful drinks have everything to please the algorithms of TikTokers and Instagrammers who count. Commercially, despite the lack of scientific basis supporting their benefits, they arrive at the right time.
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**Interview with Florence Best on the Launch of 48 Collagen Café in Paris**
**Editor:** Today we’re joined by Florence Best, who recently announced the launch of the 48 Collagen Café in Paris. Florence, thank you for taking the time to speak with us!
**Florence Best:** Thank you for having me! I’m excited to share more about this unique café experience.
**Editor:** The 48 Collagen Café certainly sounds intriguing. Can you explain what inspired you to create a café focused solely on collagen?
**Florence Best:** Absolutely! The idea came from a growing trend in wellness and beauty where consumers are increasingly interested in the benefits of collagen. We wanted to create a space that highlights these benefits while also offering delicious and innovative food options. It’s about combining health with taste.
**Editor:** It’s interesting that you mention the food options. Could you tell us more about the menu at 48 Collagen Café?
**Florence Best:** Of course! Our menu features a variety of unique items that incorporate hydrolyzed marine collagen. For example, we have mochi made with marine collagen and sweet potato, as well as refreshing vegetable drinks that can be customized with different flavors. Our beef bone broth is also a standout, served in generously sized mugs!
**Editor:** That sounds delicious! What feedback have you received from customers since you’ve opened?
**Florence Best:** The feedback has been overwhelming positive! Many of our customers, predominantly women, have told us that they find the dishes not only tasty but also beneficial for their skin and overall well-being. It’s rewarding to hear that they are enjoying the flavors and feeling great.
**Editor:** Collagen is often associated with beauty. How do you feel the café fits into the wellness landscape of Paris?
**Florence Best:** I believe we are carving out a niche that combines fitness and beauty. Paris is known for its cafes and culinary experiences, and the 48 Collagen Café offers a fresh proposal, aligning with the health-conscious trends that are becoming increasingly mainstream.
**Editor:** Any upcoming events or promotions that you would like our readers to know about?
**Florence Best:** Yes, we are planning a launch event later this month where customers can try our special collagen-infused drinks and dishes at a discounted price. Plus, we have regular workshops on the benefits of collagen and nutrition, which will be fun and informative!
**Editor:** Sounds fantastic! Thank you again, Florence, for sharing insights about the 48 Collagen Café. We wish you great success!
**Florence Best:** Thank you! I hope to see everyone there soon!
**Florence Best:** The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive! Many customers, particularly women, have shared their delight in not only the taste but also the health benefits they’ve experienced. They appreciate the combination of flavors and the concept of enjoying something that is both tasty and beneficial for their skin and joints. It’s fantastic to see people embracing collagen as part of their daily routines!
**Editor:** That’s wonderful to hear! You mentioned that the café is inspired by trends from Korea. Can you elaborate on that influence and how it shaped your offerings?
**Florence Best:** Absolutely! In Korea, collagen consumption is a common part of daily life, much like drinking juice in the morning. We wanted to bring that culture to Paris—a place where wellness and beauty are becoming increasingly intertwined. By offering fashionable, functional drinks, we aim to normalize the idea of incorporating collagen into one’s diet. Plus, the visual appeal of our drinks is designed to resonate well on social media, which is a bonus!
**Editor:** Speaking of visual appeal, how do you think the aesthetic of the café plays into its popularity on platforms like TikTok and Instagram?
**Florence Best:** The aesthetic is crucial! The lagoon blue storefront and the trendy yet relaxed decor create an inviting atmosphere. We also designed our drinks to be visually stunning, as people love to share beautiful images on social media. Our aim is to create an experience that’s not only about taste but also about the ambiance and presentation, which can help create a buzz online.
**Editor:** It seems like you’ve tapped into a lucrative niche. Would you say the wellness market has influenced your business model?
**Florence Best:** Definitely! The wellness market is booming, and consumers are more health-conscious than ever. By focusing on collagen and its benefits, we’re able to cater to that growing demand. Our challenge is to offer products that not only taste good but also provide real perceived health benefits, even as we navigate the landscape of varying scientific opinions on the efficacy of collagen.
**Editor:** Florence, it sounds like you have some exciting plans ahead! What’s next for 48 Collagen Café?
**Florence Best:** We’re looking into expanding our menu with even more collagen-infused options and possibly hosting wellness workshops to educate our customers about the benefits of collagen and healthy living. The journey has just begun, and we can’t wait to see where it leads!
**Editor:** Thank you so much for your time, Florence! We wish you all the best with 48 Collagen Café.
**Florence Best:** Thank you! It was a pleasure speaking with you!
