Infuse Cafe
Infuse Cafe serves up organic teas, coffee and handmade cakes in a fresh, inviting space. The main draw here is the Bkon brewer used in creating the drinks on offer. This is the only place in Canada that brews their teas using this cutting edge equipment, which wouldn't look out of place in a sci-fi movie.
The process is called Reverse Atmosphere INfusion (RAIN for short), a vacuum-like process that results in the maximum extraction of flavour from the tea leaves. What this basically means is that you get a much thicker and full-bodied tea than available elsewhere.
The cafe is unfussy and relaxing. It's intimate, but it doesn't feel confined. The decor is minimal and clean.
A small collection of board games are available, and one side of the space features work by local artists that rotates every season or so.
The Turmeric Ginger Organic Loose Leaf Tea ($3.99) is perfect for a chilly afternoon, with an extremely strong ginger smell and a spicy kick. It's also apparently great for hangovers.
I also try a few organic milk teas. The Jasmine Green ($4.49) is pretty basic but stronger than your usual jasmine tea due to the Bkon brewing process. The Masala Chai ($4.99) is one of the creamiest and most satisfying teas I've ever had. The sweetness of the evaporated milk pairs nicely with the Indian spices.
The Tropical Crimson Organic Iced Tea ($3.99) brings to mind a tropical fruit punch and is very refreshing. I imagine this would be an absolute treat when it's hot outside.
And then there's the ridiculousness that is the Ice Cream Sandwich Coffee ($5.99). Two whole ice cream sandwiches (yep, you read that right) are blended into coffee, creating a beverage that's wildly satisfying. I would describe it as being similar to a Tim Horton's Iced Capp, but with only half the calories. Sign me up.
A small collection of handmade cheesecakes are also on offer at $5 per slice. The Signature Slice is my favourite, with a richness that sits perfectly between a conventional cheesecake and that of Uncle Tetsu's.
The Matcha Slice is also satisfying, the slight bitterness of the matcha balanced nicely with the rich cream that adorn its top.
In a time when new cafes seem to spring up everywhere, it is nice to see one that offers a twist on things.
The brewing process might seem like a gimmick, but it definitely intensifies flavour.
Posted by Darren "DKLo" Susilo. When not writing for blogTO he can usually be found tweeting here or pressing words into this blog . Photos by Hector Vasquez.