Cassel Earth Coffee

The inspiration

Cassel Earth Coffee opened in 2023 as a gourmet-quality espresso and pastry cafe with a Korean touch, tucked into the lobby of the Atrium Building, an Irvine office and business center¹ . The idea leans third wave American coffee culture, with a single-page menu of classics, flavored and signature drinks, teas and matchas, where a mugwort matcha latte nods to the shop's Korean origins¹ .

Who's behind it

The shop is run by baristas who take pride in their craft and enjoy guiding customers to a drink or a pairing . Pastry comes from partners including Irvine-based Mr.Brown Financier and a Los Angeles bakery that produces the croissants, danishes and buns¹ .

What to order

• Pistachio oat latte: a signature drink pairing oat milk with a restrained amount of pistachio syrup .¹
• Mugwort matcha latte: the menu item that hints at the Korean side of the shop .¹
• Financiers: French-style little cakes in pistachio, raspberry, ube and almond, dense and infused rather than sugary .¹

What people are saying

Diners keep returning to the quality of the drinks, praising the latte art, flat whites and cold brews and their consistency .

Why you should try it

If you are staying near the Irvine business district, this is an unusual chance to drink seriously crafted espresso inside a big, plant-filled atrium with soft jazz and plenty of seating, a short walk from the Von Karman offices¹ .