2: Crema Coffee

Crema Coffee Co.
Address: 3079 Dundas St W
Neighbourhood: The Junction
Tel: (416) 767-3131
(website)

After 2 years in the Junction, they decided to open a second shop in the core of downtown - SMART move as the Yonge/Bloor area really lacks good espresso. Let us focus on the main cafe, with many small tables for the chatty people of the West (High Park, Runneymede, Junction crew etc...) The cafe takes over the former space of a bank with a renovated inside containing wooden floors, and bright walls. In the cafe there are books, coffee equipment new and old (French Press, Aeropress) and official Crema's & 49th Parallel cup ware . Along with a  vast array of beans in Crema packaging! GOLD!
Trekking out to the Junction is definitely a must - they take their coffee seriously. By this I mean the literature available in the space all points to coffee lovers, professional barista books and anyone in the know will appreciate that they pull Vancouver roaster 49th Parallel - Epic Espresso.

In their other grinders are different roasts to compliment milk based drinks, this is what I call "attention to the individual coffee drinker". Along different roasts to compliment Caps, Lattes, or Americanos.. and another roast specifically for espresso is refreshing.



Machine:Synesso's flagship model, the Cyncra 
Doser: Mazzer
Turnover: Heavy Traffic
Beans: 49th Parallel - Epic Espresso

Music: indie hip, rock, and blues
Indie Coffee Passport: YES

Disloyalty Card: YES
 On this day as I was watching the barista - they were clearly trained to produce well crafted shots. He would have the same stance each and every time that he went to tamp the bottomless baskets - the best way to enjoy my double espresso. His technique didn't vary too much, which is the consistency that is needed at a heavy traffic espresso location. If it varies from barista to barista, then one will start to avoid it at certain hours if the barista on the bar is less skilled. But this is definitely not the case with Crema, they do coffee right. The training that is being passed on, is something I respect as an espresso lover. Being over in the junction is a rare sight - but the times I've gone over the last month, have created that sweet taste of Epic Espresso that I've come to enjoy Kudos.

Verdict: Sweetness rings thru this blend from 49th combining Honduras and the ever so popular  Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. The current iteration of Epic, makes me smile when I can taste the sweet, juicy fruit tones dance on my tongue. While having that nice cocoa-ness that rings thru coffee beans.

Special Shout out to the Bloor St. E location with the amazing Mirage Triplet Idrocompresso.

MANUAL Machine for the win to watch it in action (click here)