Why I Choose Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

Desire is sitting down at Coffee Bean with Oscar Wilde and some sweet dark brew. There will be nothing between me and the pages, except the turning. ~ abbygabyfoodie

What's on your cup?  Mine's definitely filled with The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Tea Latte .   I didn't really jump on the coffee shop craze, because I think many of these stores sell overrated, overpriced brews.  The Coffee Bean is a different story though.

CBTL mixes up a lip-smacking, luxurious tea latte that just begs to be inhaled and imbibed in your system.  Made with delicious Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf French Deluxe Vanilla, fat-free milk, and dream-infusing foam, this is a heartwarming, soul-refreshing, lovely blend.

 I can stay at Coffee Bean for hours listening to soothing guitar music, while gulping down a Chai Tea Latte with my favorite author.  Or I can just sit there and talk to a close friend, while delicately sipping the warm goodness of an Apple Pie Tea Latte.  For tea-lovers and romantic bookworms like me who beg to be enchanted, CBTL is the perfect choice.

Coffee Bean with my friend, Leo. She got Mocha Ice Blended, while I got my usual tea latte in Apple Pie flavor
Thanks to Leo for this photo 

I also love Coffee Bean's Give in to Giving campaign, which they started in 2010.  This year, they're giving out Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Giving Journals if you complete 18 beverage orders from any Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf branch.  The best part about it?  Proceeds directly translate to the sponsorship of 8 university scholars through Real LIFE Foundation's "Adopt-a-Scholar" program.  Aside from Coffee Bean freebies, the journal gives you the opportunity to give back and share joy and inspiration to others.  Isn't that so gratifying, heartening, uplifting... and just plainly cool?

Coffee Bean and Tea Life 2012 Giving Journal

You can get your Giving Journal until January 31 from any Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf branch.  If I were you,  I'd ask friends to meet me in a CBTL branch and everyone can order tea lattes in different flavors.  It's the modern version of a tea party. African Sunrise, a favorite of mine, would fit those who would like to try a vanilla sweetness with a hint of orange tang.  Those with a sweet tooth could try Double Vanilla.  The safest choice and easy favorite is Chai.  Other brews are Moroccan Mint, Tropical Passion, and English Breakfast.  Their coffee also delivers a strong kick that puts other high-priced caffeine to shame.

Why Coffee Bean? Because taste and lots of love matter.

If you need a coffee shot for instant revival or would love to wax sentimental over a cup of tea latte, please call me. I'd be more than happy to go with you and place your order to complete my 18 cups of happy warmth.

This Apple Pie Tea Latte (P140, regular) is bought from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf  Gateway Mall.

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Milk Tea at Moonleaf, Harrison Plaza Village Square

Verdict: Good for small groups or a quick take-out
Damage: somewhere between 45-200 pesos/person


There's Milk Tea Madness in Manila!  Have you noticed the milk tea stalls and branches popping up like Shawarma did a few years ago?

April and I decided to grab our tea plus milk at one of the most popular teashops in town -- Moonleaf.  What started out as a small store in Magiting St., Teacher's Village, Q.C. has now expanded to 3 new stores+11 branches around Manila including one in Los Baños, if I counted right. Search Moonleaf reviews in blogs and you'll see the teatoppers raving about Moonleaf's milk tea.

We were one of those who were able to catch the soft opening in Harrison Plaza Village Square last Sunday after an awesome church service at Victory Malate, which is within the same mall.  As a testimony to the Pinoy's new-found fondness for  tea, Moonleaf was packed with fans by the time we got there.

Despite the long line, we were served quickly and courteously by the staff.  I'm a milk tea fan and was excited for my Wintermelon Milk Tea as recommended by April.  And look, yay! It finally arrived!

My milk tea damage: PHP75 for the Wintermelon Milk Tea plus PHP10 for the pearls

I survived the milk tea test long enough to take some pictures. Those are tapioca pearls you see on my drink, but you can also try their teas with nata crystals, pudding, or even without milk.

I don't know if they forgot to add some flavor, but the "sweetness" that other bloggers say about the wintermelon brew was sadly lacking in this cup. As April said, it was matabang (lacking in flavor) compared to the wintermelon blend she had before at the Los Baños branch. No matter how long and how hard I sipped, I just couldn't get a hint of the "honey-fruit-like sweetness" I've read of.   I guess they still lack consistency when preparing their teas.

In fairness, the tea tasted freshly-brewed as advertised and had a slightly smoky taste, probably because of the wintermelon.   The pearls were also good, not soggy or hard. I have always liked the texture of tapioca pearls since the Zagu Pearl Shake craze.  The pearls in Moonleaf had the same chewy feel.

Was April's Yogurt Milk Tea with nata better? My pretty friend looks happy in anticipation of her drink.

April's wallet damage: PHP85 for Yogurt Milk Tea plus PHP10 for the nata

Yogurt Milk Tea was a new item on the menu and as a self-proclaimed yogurt fan (expect my yogurt food trips in a future post),  I just wasn't able to feel the yogurt in this one.   Well, I could definitely taste the fruity nata, but I expected a bit more creaminess from the yogurt.  Moonleaf, where's the yogurt?! *tears tears tears*

So, will I go back?  Well, yes, if I happen to catch another Victory Malate service. Or maybe I'll try the one in Maginhawa St., QC.  I just want to give this quaint shop another chance on a regular day and understand why others are raving about it.  I'll probably order the same thing, but with pudding. And maybe I'll also add in a slice of chocolate cake or cheesecake.

If I'm satisfied, I might have enough motivation to leave a memento on this nice wall. Just like these happy customers did.

Moonleaf is located at Harrison Plaza Village Square, Pablo Ocampo cor. Mabini St., Malate, 1004 Manila, Philippines. Store hours are 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM.  Check out other branches on their website.

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