Continuing to explore Da'an District, and rested at this Cafe since we were tired. . We ordered the following desserts to share: -VWI House Blend Tiramisu Topped with cocoa powder, this tiramisu was layered with mascarpone, fresh cream and lady fingers. The cointreau in it enhanced its aroma. My friend thought while meeting standard expectations for a tiramisu, it leaned more towards a coffee and creamy profile than an alcoholic one.
-Red Guava Tart with Plum Wine Jelly Topped with chantilly and plum wine jelly, the tart consisted red guava purée and Tieguanyin Dacquoise. It showcased a harmonious interplay of layers, offering shifts in flavour and texture from refreshing to creamy to dense, and from jelly-like to moist to crumbly. Each component came together seamlessly, creating a fresh and flavourful experience in every bite.
-TERRA Single Origin Chocolate Basque Made of 70% dark chocolate, the basque cake contained egg, cream cheese and butter. The plate was decorated with caramel sauce and grind cocoa beans, which elevated its sweetness. I found the chocolate flavour to be not really rich, and the cake was not as creamy as a basque cake should be. However, my friend thought the rich dark chocolate layer on top stood out. Although this was her first encounter with basque cake, she found it somewhat akin to a regular soft cheesecake.
For drinks, I ordered Hot CNSalon Herbal & Black Tea-Chrysanthemum. The tea had a fragrant aroma and a slightly sweet taste.
My friend ordered Roselle Syrup Cold Brew Coffee with Cocoa Foam. It was like a cold brew coffee with a splash of freshness from the roselle syrup. It’s very refreshing, allowing her to cleanse her mouth after having the sweet desserts. The cocoa flavour from the cocoa foam didn’t stand out much in this drink, but it added an extra touch to the texture, from foamy to watery. . This cafe is popular and enforces a 90-minute dining limit during busy hours. Customers must order at least one drink. . The cafe features a white colour theme, an industrial-style ceiling with exposed pipes and semi-exposed brick walls. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the restroom...
Read moreIf you're a coffee fanatic looking for good pour over, then VWI is definitely worth checking out. Located near Zhongxiao Fuxing station, this specialty coffee shop is owned by the 2017 World Brewer Cup winner, Chad Wang.
During my recent visit, I ordered two different types of beans: Caturra from Alajiela, Costa Rica, and Gesha from La Finca Aurora in Volcan, Panama. I was pleasantly surprised by the delightful experience that followed.
The Caturra had a typical natural processing profile, resulting in a bright acidity and good amount of sweetness. As it cooled, the flavors became more pronounced, with hints of jackfruit and caramel notes.
The Gesha was a very typical Gesha. I have to say it had a tad more acidity then I'd like. Nevertheless it's quite tasty. It has the nice silky mouth feel with really nice citric acidity. After it cooled down I found pronounced honeydew smell. It boasts a very clean flavor profile makes me almost forget that it is a natural processed bean.
What sets VWI apart from other specialty coffee shop is how they approach pour over. Unlike many other shops that tend to extract much shorter to emphasize aroma and acidity, I felt that VWI push extraction a bit longer, in return you get to experience more balanced, full profile with higher extraction.
Overall, I highly recommend VWI to any coffee enthusiast looking for a top-quality cup of coffee. The attention to detail in their coffee preparation is truly impressive, and I can't wait to return for...
Read moreVWI, founded by 2017 World Brewers Cup (WBrC) Champion Chad Wang, is a very strong recommend for anyone interested in pour-overs! The staff members are all very passionate and knowledgeable and there are quite a few staff members who speak English and can answer questions regarding the coffee ratios, brewing, etc in both English and Chinese. You’ll definitely be paying a premium for the branding as well. When I was there, they were offering a 10% discount on bean purchases and a special promotion of the 2023 COE winner where they will write off the cost of the cup if you buy the bag of beans as well.
Pourover (Unique) - 2023 COE Winner San Jose Gesha (580 TWD) This bean won the 2023 Cup of Excellence (COE) award which is a coffee auction that showcases the highest quality of beans. Naturally, with the bidding process and high demand, this coffee is expensive. It’s a Gesha that has both floral and fruity notes. The body is very light, having an almost tea-like mouthfeel and texture when combined with the floral jasmine notes. There is a vibrant fruity acidity and sweet aftertaste. The barista uses a customized 3-pour that fully brings out the potential of the bean and perfectly extracted these beans, making it neither overly muddied nor underextracted. The cup is very distinct, very easy to taste and delicious!
Do note that coffee preferences vary, so while it is a good cup and suits my taste buds, it doesn’t guarantee that it fits your...
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