Matcha lattes were first introduced to the U.S. in the early 2000s but were largely overlooked until after the pandemic, when the vibrant, earthy green drink surged in popularity for its aesthetic appeal. Today, matcha appears on nearly every café menu, yet many shops do the tea a disservice by using low-quality powder and poor preparation. There’s little more disappointing than paying $6–$8 for what turns out to be a cup of dull green milk.
Fortunately, that’s never a concern at Ensōra in Cherry Hill. Each drink is crafted with ceremonial-grade matcha sourced from Kyoto, Japan. Made from the youngest, most tender tea leaves, this matcha delivers a smooth, umami-rich taste.
Ensōra takes great matcha a step further, offering signature lattes like Ube Coconut as well as the option to create your own with a selection of cream tops and house syrups. The cream tops are a solid introduction for those looking to explore Southeast Asian flavors, with options like pandan, black sesame, and ube. Pandan is bright green, bringing a sweet, subtle nuttiness; black sesame is earthy with a warm, roasted flavor; and ube is a vivid lavender, naturally sweet with vanilla notes.
Beyond matcha, espresso, and houjicha lattes are also customizable. For those unfamiliar, houjicha is a Japanese green tea similar to matcha, but it’s made by roasting the leaves rather than steaming them. This process gives it a warm brown color and a toasty, caramelized flavor.
Once you’ve chosen your latte, you can elevate it by turning it into a float. Choose from two rotating flavors or enjoy it as a twist. I topped my matcha latte with a pandan and vanilla twist for the perfectly creamy creation.
The menu also offers taiyaki, a fish-shaped pastry with your choice of filling, and croyaki, the croissant version. Prepared fresh, the filling practically spills out of the warm pastry. For something heartier, try one of their savory breakfast sandwiches, served all day.
In addition to its menu, Ensōra provides a calming, cozy space, complete with a nature-inspired color palette and both indoor and outdoor seating. With an adorable corgi named Russell as its mascot, it’s easy to fall in love with Ensōra. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to return to again and again.
Ensōra
116 Barclay Farms Shopping Center
Cherry Hill Township, NJ 08034
https://ensora.co/
Mon, Tues, Thurs: 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Wednesday: Closed
Friday: 9:00AM – 7:00PM
Saturday: 9:30AM – 7:00PM
Sunday: 9:30AM – 6:00PM
