An aroma of freshly brewed coffee circles around the area, luring in students and workaholics alike to the perfect place to grab a coffee.
I sat down inside the Azusa location and tasted the horchata frappe, mocha mexicano and guava cheese strudel. The scent of coffee hugged the cafe. The natural light hits the windows all across the cafe, giving a nice warmth from the sun in a fairly cold building.
Across the cafe are photos of farmers where the coffee beans are harvested. Most are smiling at the camera, facing the guest and giving them a warm welcome.
The first thing I had my eye on was the horchata frappe for its thick, yet not too icy consistency. Topped with whipped cream and cinnamon on top, it’s served in a clear cup. The hints of cinnamon from the horchata latte base are visible all around.
The first sip feels like heaven.
The frappe blended the coffee base seamlessly with the sweetness of horchata. The more sips I took, the more the horchata aroma consumed my mouth. As it melted, the sugar slowly dripped down to the bottom of the cup. It was a sweet treat to start with but slowly became more sugar than coffee.
The mocha mexicano was a nice change of pace. The drink felt relaxing compared to the sugary horchata frappe, which could be served warm or iced if requested. It had a light bitter taste with hints of sweetness typically found in most mocha drinks.
It pairs well with the espresso, which was very rich and pleasant. It goes down smoothly with every sip. There was no problem finishing this perfect cup to keep me warm.
The drinks are at its best when paired with a sweet pastry. The guava cheese streusel complimented the bitterness of the mocha mexicano perfectly. Served warm if desired, it’s made in-house and has a freshness to it you don’t find in many cafes. The cheese in the streusel (or lack thereof) serves as a secondary taste to the delicious guava jam. Candied in a delightful way that pairs with the flakey crust, it leaves a mess in the best way possible. Leaving me wanting more.
With just over 20 locations in the Greater Los Angeles Area, Tierra Mia establishes itself as a hotspot for all coffee lovers.
First opened back in 2008, Tierra Mia is a by-the-books coffee shop. Where they stand out is in their Latin flavors and coffee beans that highlight the sweet, bold and bitter flavors of Latin America.
Their slogan supports their craft, “El mejor café viene de tierra mia,” which translates to “the best coffee comes from my land.” The slogan is seen in every cafe and serves as a reminder of how Tierra Mia sticks out from the rest.
Some of their specialty beverages include the horchata frappe, coco loco latte and mocha mexicano. The most notable Tierra Mia pastries include the tres leches muffin, guava cheese strudel and almond croissant.
There’s a reason why Tierra Mia is so popular. They have something for everyone. Whether it’s a sweet frappe, a relaxing warm latte or a delicious pastry, there’s no reason to not stop by. Their coffee will continue to spread across Southern California, so stop by your nearest Tierra Mia and treat yourself to a cup like no other.
