Hojicha chestnut + mango yuzu cake + camomile tea + flat white ($25)!
Cafe high tea — hojicha chestnut Mont Blanc-style cake + mango yuzu cake with candied peel + camomile tea + flat white latte art. $25 total.
Cafe afternoon with BB — hojicha chestnut + mango yuzu cakes + camomile tea + flat white. $25 total for the proper afternoon tea. 😋
What was on the table ($25):
- Hojicha chestnut cake (top-left) — multi-layered sponge cake with hojicha (roasted green tea) chiffon layers alternating with white cream, topped with piped chestnut purée vermicelli (the Mont Blanc-style chestnut paste pressed through a ricer) + icing sugar dusting. The dark brown chestnut on top contrasts the pale tea-coloured sponge.
- Mango yuzu cake (top-right) — layered sponge with mango cream + yuzu curd in alternating bands, topped with piped cream rosettes + candied yuzu peel curls. The bright yellow citrus showcase.
- Camomile tea (bottom-left) — pyramid tea bag of dried camomile flowers steeping in a white cup, the tea turning pale gold.
- Flat white (bottom-right) — proper micro-foam latte with rosetta + heart latte art, deep brown crema visible.
The two cakes are the Japanese-French fusion style popular in SG specialty cafes — French layered patisserie technique (sponge + cream + topping), Japanese flavour combinations (hojicha + chestnut, yuzu + mango).
The hojicha chestnut is the autumn-winter signature — hojicha (roasted green tea, less grassy than matcha, more earthy-nutty) pairs with chestnut purée (Mont Blanc tradition). The piped vermicelli on top is the technical touch — chestnut paste pressed through a tiny ricer to create the iconic “Mont Blanc snow” texture. Earthy + nutty + slightly sweet.
The mango yuzu is the citrus-tropical contrast — yuzu (Japanese citrus, more aromatic + floral than lemon) cuts through the mango sweetness. The candied yuzu peel on top is the bitter-sweet textural detail. Brighter + sharper than the hojicha chestnut.
Camomile tea is the standard afternoon tea pick — herbal, calming, slightly floral, no caffeine. Pyramid tea bag indicates a decent cafe (not bottom-tier dust-bag tea).
Flat white with proper latte art (rosetta + heart) means the barista pulled the espresso properly + steamed the milk to the right micro-foam consistency. Latte art is the visual indicator of cafe quality — sloppy art means rushed pulls.
Total: $25 for two cakes + two drinks. Mid-tier cafe pricing.
Overall: 4.4 / 5. Hojicha chestnut was the autumn-winter highlight, mango yuzu was the bright pair, flat white had proper latte art. Cafe afternoon done right. 😍👍🏼
