Over the past few years, coffee stalls have become so essential in Ateneo that there is always at least one of them in JSEC. From The Daily Grind, to Whip It!, to The Coffee Collective, this year brings us Glasshouse.

Taste

The Glasshouse is base coffee with a secret house special syrup. Though a little watered down, it is light and smooth to drink—a good option for those who prefer a milder cup of coffee as there are barely any acidic notes. The cold brew’s bitter tones are almost masked by the taste of milk and syrup, only coming as a slight aftertaste.

A more bitter choice is the Pine Oak, a treat for mocha lovers. The chocolate and coffee blend with each other to create a taste reminiscent of tablea hot chocolate—full, heavy, and bitter, but far from acidic.

For the non-coffee drinker, the Evergreen is a simple matcha latte. It is exactly what you’d expect it to be, (in a good way)—milky with a mellow sweetness that is brought to life by the bitter aftertaste particular to matcha.

Staying true to the spirit of coffee, one can expect to experience their caffeine fix without it being overly sweetened and reminiscent of 3-in-one, a characteristic that has caused the shortcomings of JSEC coffee stalls from the past.

Concept

The name Glasshouse is a play on the word greenhouse, as the stall offers a mix of green and brown drinks. Options are divided into cold brew, matcha, and cocoa, catering to coffee and non-coffee drinkers alike. With a drink for all, the stall is straightforward and noteworthy.

Value for Money

Although Glasshouse’s coffee may not be as potent as some would like, its flavors are palatable, making the prices acceptable as they range from only Php 60 to Php 90. An additional Php 30 deposit is added for the glass bottle that the beverage comes in—which does not offer the same large serving size as a mason jar, but still gives a reasonable amount to drink.  

Final Verdict

Glasshouse’s coffee could still be richer and stronger, but overall the drinks are well executed. With its variety of uncomplicated yet distinct drinks, Glasshouse deserves its place as JSEC’s lone coffee stall.

Rating: 4.5/5