tiffin unboxed

85°C Bakery Cafe's Sea Salt Coffee

For this post, we are staying with theme of foam atop coffee. Based on the photo below, what time of day do you think it is? Does that change if I add that this is in Irvine in Orange County, California?

85°C Bakery Cafe at 11:45 p.m.

Having lived in Irvine for several years in the past, I was hard pressed to find even a fast food location open past 9:00 p.m. Things have changed. On my way home from visiting friends I stopped by 85°C Bakery Cafe. The hour drive back home was long and one of their uniquely delicious Sea Salt Coffee would surely hit the spot.

Yet at a quarter to midnight there was hardly any parking and the store was packed. The employee who took my order after a long line said they have to practically kick people out upon closing each night!

85°C Bakery Cafe - Sea Salt Coffee Poster

The reason this spot is a must-visit spot for me anytime I'm in Irvine (as far as I'm aware, this is the only branch of this cafe outside Taiwan) is this beverage of slightly sweetened iced coffee topped with a creamy foam whipped with sea salt.

85°C Bakery Cafe - Sea Salt Coffee to go

85°C Bakery Cafe - Sea Salt Coffee foam

Semi-sweet chocolate powder comes sprinkled over the top of foam, adding even more complexity to the balance of sweet, salty, creamy, coffee tastes.

85°C Bakery Cafe - almost empty bakery section

Unfortunately, the bakery was almost sold out at this late hour. But thanks to my friend Robert, who turned me on to this coffee in the first place, I tried some of their buttery baked goods such as lightly garlicky squid ink buns and Okinawan brown sugar cakes.