FOODIE THOUGHTS: Various Milk Tea Places that I Love!

Summer is so hot and I love a good cold milk tea! Can't pass up a week without having my fix. I used to love my usual caramel frap at Starbucks or any other place but nowadays, that is not included in my foodie vocabulary. And honestly, that has been a root of saving money more as milk teas are usually 50% less the price of the fraps. Relief, yes, not only financially but healthwise as well, just a teeny bit. =)

So here are the list of the milk tea joints that I have tried and loved.

1. HAPPY LEMON 

Absolute fave is their  Cocoa Rock Salt & Cheese! No words..I just love it. And I think  most of the milk tea population does love it too. 

2. SERENITEA

A bit more expensive than the rest but they do offer a premium on their milk teas.  I liked one of their many bestsellers which is Hokkaido Milk Tea. 

Also liked Strawberry Toffee milk tea. Yum!

3. MOONLEAF TEA SHOP

No particular favorite but I find it more relaxing to hang out here, which we did, until a group of a bit boisterous people came in and the peace and order went kaput! Haha! =)

Moonleaf's Dulce de Leche French macaron tasted like yema. Good thing I like yema. =)

Many more choices to choose from. 

I forgot the name of this chocolate pastry. They said it was a bestseller but unfortunately, my taste buds did not have the knack for this. Too rich for me. 

 4. GONG CHA

Funny, but I had my first Gong Cha in HongKong, located at one of their MTR  stations.  I got the  Caramel-flavored one and I liked it. I guess everything caramel would suffice for me. If I remember correctly, this one was priced at HKD15.00, or around P90.00. Not much difference if you buy here.  

5. CHA TIME

My first Chatime milk tea, I got the Choco Mousse and it was ok. Second time around,  I got their  Banana Milk Tea which I loved. The queue at the Gateway Mall is always consistently long. Happy for them but not for me, I get tired from waiting so long. But I still waited. =)

 6. TEA.OLOGY

A very cozy place located at Xanland Plaza in Katipunan Ave. I got the Amaretto Milk Tea. And I LOVE that they offer their milk teas with 1 FREE sinker. Nice! That is already a good reason to head out here and try their offerings.

 7. BUMBLE TEA

My 1st neighborhood-friendly milk tea place. Walking distance from my apartment in Sikatuna Village, QC. And they have a  loyalty card, if you complete 10 purchases within 2 months, you get 1 free drink for free.  They have their version of rock salt and cheese and its k. Not that great but acceptable. 

8. ETC

My 2nd neighborhood-friendly milk tea place that is fairly new in its area. Located at the corner of the street where I rent my place, so its just walking distance. Their milk teas are good and what's great about this place is that they are so conveniently located in between joints along the famous Maginhawa St. foodie strip, they are enveloped between Good Burgers, Mexican Express and Kazam Kebab House. Yu can have your main course, be it American, Mexican of Persian fare then just take a few steps and you're ready for something good to totally wash down all the food. =)

9. CHILL OUT CAFE

My 3rd neighborhood-friendly milk tea place that has just recently opened. This one is located  at Maginhawa St as well. It's a very small place so if you want some peace and quiet, you can go here. I got their bestseller which is their version of  Happy lemon's Cocoa Rock Salt & Cheese. The beverage itself was smooth and great tasting but the froth on top which I always like best, is poor in terms of serving size. I barely tasted it. I hope they change that. 

10. CHA DAO

Got my first Cha Dao milk tea at their Maginhawa St branch and  I got their Wintermelon  MT.  I shared it with my brother and we both liked it. But for me, Wintermelon is all the same, next time, I will try a different flavor for variation. 

11. JELLY-G

My friends said that Jelly-G has long existed before the other more famous milk tea places has arrived in the scene.  Glad  they shared this to me. I got the Thai Milk Tea which is a bestseller and it was great. I just don't like that the crushed ice was not finely crushed because while almost being done with my drink, there were still a lot of ice that was left. I just threw it away. Could not wait for it to melt. But it was yummy! 

Summer 2012 is scorching hot so let's keep on drinking these milk tea beverages! More healthier and less expensive compared to other coolers. =)

RESTO FACTS:
Happy Lemon -  https://www.facebook.com/HappyLemonPh/info
Serenitea - http://iloveserenitea.com/ 
Moonleaf Tea Shop - http://www.moonleafteashop.com/main/
Gong Cha - https://www.facebook.com/gongcha.ph/info 
Cha Time - https://www.facebook.com/chatimephilippines/info
Tea-Ology - http://www.munchpunch.com/10392/teaology-katipunan
Bumble Tea - http://www.munchpunch.com/12328/bumble-tea-place-sikatuna-village 
ETC - http://ph.openrice.com/manila/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=39757
Chill Out Cafe - located at Maginhawa St. (near Mini Stop)
Cha Dao  - https://www.facebook.com/chadaoteaplace/info
Jelly-G Drink - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jelly-G-Drink/191989587487470?sk=info

FOODIE THOUGHTS: MIlk Tea at Tea.Ology

I find myself loving cold milk teas nowadays. Is it because its the '"in" thing now or is because it's more healthy than drinking my usual frappes or because of the affordable price?

I think it's all of the above. Right. Definitely.

For today, me and some friends tried this tea shop at Katipunan, Quezon City instead of heading to our original choices Serenitea or Moonleaf, we chose the new place as variety is good.

TEA.OLOGY. Loved their artwork on the chalkboard.  Wished  I can be this creative =)

Per www.citydelivery.ph, Tea.Ology is a lifestyle tea café that aims to serve high quality tea based beverages. In order to guarantee a cup that is rich in aroma and full of flavor, they create their products from 100% premium loose leaf teas that are freshly brewed every day. They have a vast selection of imported teas that serve as the base of their drinks. Drinks are all personalized since the customer gets to choose the flavor, the toppings and the sweetness level of the drink. Because the orders are personalized, the orders are all made on the spot so the freshness and quality of the beverage is assured.

For me, I got the large Amaretto Milk Tea (P95.00), with 75% sweetness and a topping of egg pudding. I did not push it this time. I loved my order and it filled up my craving for the day. My friends ordered differently but they said they liked my order. So that's a thumbs-up! 

This is a very cozy place because its very small, more intimate in setting. One can't be too noisy here, you have to go easy with the loud chatter. You have to respect the privacy of each customer as most of their patrons are students who does some serious studying, I think.

What I also liked about this place is that they offer 1 free topping of your choice: pearls, coconut jelly, coffee jelly, sweet tea jelly, egg pudding and grass jelly. Sweet! Unlike the other tea shops that charge you extra for it. I hope this stays the same forever!

RESTO FACTS: 
Tea.Ology
G/F Xanland Place
Katipunan, Quezon City
Mon-Sun 10am-10pm