“Matcha” green tea originated from Japan and because the entire leaf is ingested in powder form, it is known as the most potent green tea in the world. Imagine a cafe in Sydney where matcha is put to good use. Well, tucked away in a small lane at the edge of Surry Hills, there is a hole-in-the-wall cafe called “Cre Asion” that is doing exactly this.
The cafe has been opened for a few years already, but previously it was known for its macarons. The menu has since been expanded to include other food items.
The cafe is small, and there is only enough sitting for around 10 people. The tables and chairs provided are quite low, so sitting there for prolonged periods of time is very uncomfortable. However, despite all of this, there is always a queue at this place, so we tried out the food to see if it lived up to its hype.
Matcha Latte ($5)
The latte is milky and frothy, full of true matcha flavours. It is not overly sweet like other green tea lattes in other cafes, but the taste of this latte is better described as a bitter-sweet flavour, which is very soothing and calming.
Matcha & Macadamia Cookies ($2 each, or $10 for 6)
These cookies are again full of the bitter-sweet flavours of matcha, coupled with the crunchiness of the macadamia nuts. However, the texture of the cookies are a bit hard for our liking, and the cookies would be more enjoyable if they were of a more crumbly texture which would provide a good contrast with the crunchiness of the nuts.
Matcha Muffin ($4.50)
The most surprising element of the muffin is the filling of cream cheese and red bean paste inside the muffin. The combination really works – the sweetness of the red bean paste is balanced by the bitterness from the matcha in the muffin, while the cream cheese provides a layer of complexity to the flavours of the muffin. However, the overall texture of the muffin is very dry, which makes the muffin not very enjoyable.
Matcha fondant ($8.50)
This is Cre Asion’s signature dish. It is very well made. The outside is soft, while the centre is filled with warm molten dark chocolate and matcha, and you are able to taste a sense of intensive bitter-sweetness as the centre oozes out. One of the most enjoyable dishes we have tried at this cafe.
Overall, the concept of this cafe is interesting, and it may possibly fill up a niche in the Sydney cafe market, as evidenced by the regular queues here. However, this is not really a place designed for people to hang out or chat, and is more tailored for individuals who want a quick matcha fix on-the-go.
Cafe Cre Asion
Website: http://www.creasion.com.au
Address: 101/21 Alberta Street, Sydney
Phone: (02) 8021 1629
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm, Sat 9am to 4pm
Accepts all major credit cards
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