During this period of epidemic prevention when we can’t travel, staying at home requires a cup of gourmet coffee to provide me with abundant energy and spirit.
The “i3.coffee” located along the XinZhuang Park is essentially a community café. Nestled within a tranquil neighborhood, this tiny shop with its corner triangular window is easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.
“i3.coffee” is quite a unique and distinctive name for a shop. After inquiring, I found out that “i3.coffee” can be pieced together to form a common surname, which also happens to be the owner’s surname.
Back then, the lady boss even asked me to guess what “i3.coffee” meant. I was never good at riddles, and this had me breaking out in a cold sweat.
Luckily, I managed to correctly guess the character “Chen”. Turns out, the boss’s surname is “Chen”, which is pronounced as “i3.coffee” in Chinese. Hence, the members of the fan club are called “Dong Fans”.
The boss then went on to say that “i3.coffee” actually has another meaning. It’s about hoping that the customers here will fall in love with making their own coffee. “Love in action” equals “i3.coffee”.
The interior of the restaurant is decorated in a wooden tone, with seating areas generally accommodating 2 to 4 people. The restaurant is not large, with seating capacity for approximately 20 people.
As you step into the store, you can feel a strong sense of home emanating throughout, creating a relaxing atmosphere that makes you feel as if you’ve returned home.
The cozy and relaxing atmosphere of [i3.coffee] makes it the top choice for those who want to quietly read a book, enjoy a coffee while catching up on their favorite shows, work on their computers, or simply need a quiet space to work without being disturbed.
Inside the shop, some seats come with power outlets and WIFI. However, the owner mentioned that not every seat has a power outlet. So, if you want a seat with a power outlet, it’s best to ask in advance, and they will help arrange a suitable seat for you.
Of course, if you’re in the mood for a chat, you can do as I do and take a seat at the high stools in front of the bar. Engage in conversation with the owner and his wife about coffee, desserts, their children, or any topic that piques your interest.
The couple are quite the conversationalists, especially when it comes to coffee, they can enlighten you with many fun coffee facts.
Drinking a cup of black coffee 30 minutes before exercising can not only boost your basic metabolic rate, but also increase the amount of calories burned during the workout.
If you’re not familiar with coffee, you can also describe your preferred taste to the owner, who can then professionally recommend a coffee that suits you.
The seats by the window next to the entrance are also perfect for quietly reading a book or enjoying the view outside.
As a newcomer to the world of specialty coffee, I found it hard to accept flavors that were too rich or too bitter. The owner, understanding my preferences, recommended three types of coffee that would suit my taste.
The host enthusiastically brewed three types of specialty coffee for me to taste, allowing me to experience the distinct flavors and textures of coffee beans processed through different methods – washed, sun-dried, and Alishan honey-processed.
The owner mentioned that before the pandemic, 80% of the business primarily came from in-store customers. Now, as the store no longer offers dine-in services, regular customers have started to buy coffee beans and brewing sets to make their own pour-over coffee at home.
Therefore, you can see that the store also sells a variety of coffee beans, immersion bags, and drip bag packaging.
On the other side, you can also find a variety of coffee-related merchandise available for purchase.
On the shelves, you can see the recently popular products related to the Tokyo Olympics, such as the “Taiwan IN Gift Box’s Drip Coffee Beans”. These beans use the latest gourmet flavor formula and the “Stroll” is also a coffee gift box launched for this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival.
That day, I also saw the owner meticulously handpicking impurities and inferior beans from the coffee beans.
It’s surprising to see that the proportion of inferior coffee beans picked out of the barrel is quite high.
The lady boss mentioned that even if you buy high-quality, expensive coffee beans, there will inevitably be some damaged parts.
In order not to compromise the original flavor of the coffee, they can only meticulously handpick all the inferior beans before and after roasting.
The lady boss explained that in order to present a cup of exquisite, handpicked coffee, it requires 60% quality of raw beans, 30% roasting technique, and 10% hand-brewing process. Only then can a cup of specialty coffee be achieved.
i3 Latte $85
In making a latte, it turns out that milk is just as important as coffee. The owner tested over a dozen different brands of fresh milk, both domestic and international, before finally settling on Rokko fresh milk and Kawashima fresh milk.
When added to the same coffee, a latte made with Rokko fresh milk will only reveal the rich aroma of the coffee after the first sip.
If you use Qiaotou fresh milk, the rich aroma of the coffee surprisingly hits your taste buds first, making it suitable for those who prefer a strong coffee flavor.
Hand-Smacked Pizza/Los Angeles/Chicken $130
The kitchen fills with the irresistible aroma of baking cheese from time to time during the baking process.
The handmade pizza crust is delightfully crispy, offering the texture and crunchiness of a biscuit. The dough is fragrantly delicious and has a satisfying chewiness.
The cheese pulls into long, tantalizing strings, accompanied by a generous spread of aromatic mushroom slices and chunks of chicken. As you take a bite, the savory deliciousness immediately unfolds.
Cocoa $95
I chose a drink suitable for kids, “Cocoa”. As soon as you open it and take a sip, you can smell the enchanting aroma of cocoa.
The top layer of milk foam melts in your mouth, offering a light and sweet taste that isn’t overly saccharine. The rich texture doesn’t leave a bitter aftertaste when sipped.
The owner provides take-away cups directly, fearing that the children might not finish their drinks all at once.
The quality of this takeaway cup is simply amazing. I even went online to do some research and found out it’s called the “Earth Cup”. Its design is based on the map of the Earth.
The material of the Earth Cup can withstand extremely high and low temperatures, so there’s no need to worry about burning your hands when holding it, or about condensation from cold drinks making the paper cup go soft and lose its shape.
Sunny Day Pancakes/Chocolate $100
The texture is akin to a Belgian waffle – substantial and crispy. Every bite into the crunchy crust produces an occasional crackling sound, adding to the overall sensory experience.
The waffles, drizzled with the kid’s favorite chocolate sauce and fresh cream, are absolutely delicious.
Moreover, it’s not just a family-friendly place, but also a pet-friendly establishment. The owners are very fond of small animals and warmly welcome customers to dine with their furry little ones.
Inside the shop, there are also the store’s beloved pets, the “Grey White Land Crabs”. They are kept in a large aquarium, with several of them living inside. Unfortunately, the “Grey White Land Crabs” were hiding that day, so I didn’t get a chance to see them.
【i3.coffee】Menu
The menu doesn’t offer a wide variety of items, primarily focusing on handcrafted coffee, along with a small selection of teas and non-caffeinated beverages.
The shop also offers light meals to pair with, including handmade cakes, waffles, pizzas, bagels, and croissants.
Especially, the handmade cakes here are highly recommended by many dessert connoisseurs. Unfortunately, all the cake varieties were sold out on the day ><.
Thankfully, the delicious pizza and tasty pancakes made the day a culinary delight for Qing.
Visit “i3.coffee” and let the coffee roaster overturn your taste buds. Who says coffee can only be sweet, bitter, and astringent?
FB: i3.coffee
i3.coffee
Hours: 12:00-21:10 (Closed on Wednesdays), Fridays and Saturdays: 12:00-21:30
For dine-in, there’s no time limit on regular days, but a 2-hour limit applies on holidays. The minimum order is one drink.
Phone: 02-29900755
Address: No. 109, Gongyuan 1st Road, Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City
Payment Methods: COFFECOIN Artisan Coffee Pass, Line Pay, JKOPAY, Cash.
Download the CAFFECOIN APP now and enter my invitation code: VF2TUHEF to receive $50 in coffee exchange credits. These credits can be used at over 1000 artisan coffee shops across Taiwan. Hurry and claim yours now >>>https://caffeco.in/vip/VF2TUHEF
On a typhoon day, all you can do is prepare brunch at home, paired with a cup of rich and smooth latte. It really lifts the spirits!
