Red Crema (Rooibos Latte): Crema Cafe, Cambridge MA

Gustatory: sweet

Crema Cafe may be my favorite cafe. The decor is homey, the drinks are even cozier, and seating – when available – is comfy across two floors and outside, weather permitting. Centrally located in Harvard Square, this coffee shop boasts an array of drinks – both caffeinated and not – and a good selection of baked goods and savory eats. Though matcha lattes aren’t made here (they do have a mate latte on the menu, though) I don’t even mind because the beverage I get here every time is the Red Crema, a rooibos-based latte sweetened with honey and spiced with a dash of cinnamon. It’s on the sweet side, and so warming. This is my definition of a reassuring drink; I instantly feel better after having this. I also find that the nuttiness of the almond milk I get in the latte part of my Red Crema (dairy intolerance…) complements the rooibos really nicely.

Rooibos tea is made from the rooibos or red bush plant of South Africa. It’s a caffeine-free tea that usually comes oxidized (and is red in color) or can sometimes be unoxidized (and has a green color instead). Rooibos has a subtle, grassy taste (the green, unoxidized rooibos more so than the red) and is really quite refreshing iced or comforting when warm or hot.

Other drinks I’ve tried at Crema Cafe and loved are the Almond Early Grey (“blue flower early grey au lait with almond syrup”) and Ginger Steamer (“fresh ginger broth with lemon and honey”) – both descriptions courtesy of Crema’s website!

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