New Faves || Schlurp!

For someone who sees herself as an introvert, I am quite the adventurer. Going places, trying interesting food, skincare, home remedies and whatnot. It wouldn't be surprising that with all these philandering about, I come across stuff I would go back to over and over again for the next quizillion years. Because I am loyal like that. 

Here is the place I put up my favorite finds for the world to see. For this first edition, what more fitting thing for it to be...tea!

TADA!!

Just when I thought I was in-the-know about all things tea, this leaps at me from my neighborhood convenience store shelf. I found these bottled, brewed teas months ago and grabbed one, not just because it was tea, but because they did look pretty cool, too! I think that this must be the hippest-packaged tea drink going around. Read the smartly-phrased labels below and you just know how much passion and awesomeness the makers put into your drink.

The Moonleaf Chronicles Continue

...or is that supposed to be "continues"?? Oh, anyhow

Day #8: Melinda at Moonleaf Tea Shop

Who is Melinda says you? Why, she's my dearie sister!

Ten years ago (or is that 10 months ago?) we didn't get along as well as this day. But, hey, we're both all grown up and walking towards one *ultimate* purpose and that's one thing I'm absolutely greatful to God about.

A  tidbit of info which she probably doesn't know: She's my favorite shopping buddy. I can drag her just about anywhere (if she's in the mood) and I wouldn't feel judged for my tastes or lack thereof. She's got more energy than me, anyways (she loves window shopping, I don't really). And, in case she remarks something I do not like, I could easily overrule her. Haha. 

it took some time coming but...

The photograph says it all..

...but in the tradition of my wanting to say too many things because I've been ignoring this blog again, I'll state it anyway. Finally, finally milk tea craze have found its way to Baguio City! Not that I would call it a craze up there but Moon Leaf Tea opened a store in John Hay Technohub last December and while I was there for the holidays i noticed tea places beyond the usual Zentea Bubbatealicious (which are not really,uh, my cups of tea).

One Quick One

I usually go to Mcdonald's after my morning runs out of habit. Since that would be in the early morning i couldn't have my usual pig-out meal of Quarter- pounder burger so I'd try out different breakfast things. Recenly I've been getting the Big Breakfast meal (lots of protein) with orange juice. One cold morning I traded in my juice for hot choco and had a brilliant idea...

So there was my jam, just sitting there because I didn't think it matched the taste of the muffins. Then i decided to dump it into the hot chocolate. Tada! Instant Strawberry Chocolate drink. Next time I'll try this with a helping of Ice cream.

Simple Line Online!

I haven't been going to simple line much lately since I've had no classes for the past 6 or so months. But this morning when I dropped by their shop ( more on that later)I saw an announcement of their "new" website. It's simple and to the point, just like their cups of tea. What got me really excited was seeing that the newly opened Banawe branch offers sitting space! It's their first store outside Manila City, too. Congratulations to Simple Line for their continuing success!


And yes, I did drop by their store earlier to get my favorite Melon Green Tea. I think the guy who made my tea was new and looking at him preparing I just knew something was wrong-- or scratch that, different-- about my order. It turned out he put milk on my Melon fruit tea. Why not Melon milk tea, right? So I resisted the urge to complain and quickly got my order lest the cashier sees the mistake. Once out, I had a sip. Melon milk tea it is, like the way my grandma's melon milk ice candy was when we were kids! A warning, though : this is not for everyone (the same way their milk green tea is not for everyone)! My only worry when I noticed the mistake was that the drink would taste bitter... well, it was very close to being so, but it wasn't. :)

Happy Lemon and Bonifacio High Street

Yes. The title for this post is quite straightforward. Now to business. My friends and I had this planned for some time already and it only happened recently. It really had to be milk tea at Boni High and nothing else. So where else to go but Happy Lemon. There were supposed to be more people for this afternoon out but I'm still so glad for the company that came. So anyway, one of our friends, Cheeny, has been telling us about how good Happy Lemon tea is. I had tried a few drinks myself and it just wasn't..erm, my cup of tea. I let them see for themselves though. Nessil and Annie both got rock, salt and cheese cocoa, Jack and I got some form of milk tea or other and Colen got the Yakult green tea (at my coaxing, of course).

Clockwise from left: (by Nessil) I loved the trellises laden with dainty flowers all over BHS. (by Melissa) Yakult Green tea by Happy Lemon. (by Melissa) I had wanted a jump shot in front of the Nike wall but I forgot about it soon after. (by Nessil) Rock, salt, and cheese cocoa twins.

The verdict? For chocolate drinks such as these, Chuckie or Milo would do just fine. But the Milk teas were at par with other similar stores and the Yakult green tea was delicious, too (for my taste). I also realised that I've been getting Happy Lemon teas on the go before this time and it's so much more fun enjoying it with friends. This still isn't my favorite tea place but at least I now know their strong points. :)

The Moon Leaf Chronicles

MORE!

I went to three different Moon leaf tea shop branches this week. ( so now I have three different Moon leaf loyalty cards :3)


SUNDAY: Bible study meeting at Moon Leaf St Thomas Square. Had some encouraging and de-stressing post- pre-board exam (??) talk with my ECE girls, Julie and Louie. We got french macaroons along with our Yakult Jasmine tea (mine) , Nata Milk tea (louie's) and Milk green tea (Julie's). Already Yakult Jasmine's getting to be my new favourite.


WEDNESDAY: Visited Moon Leaf Maginhawa with my workmates after a day at work and our office cell group meeting. Kidded around with their gadgets and Simsimi with all our worries behind us-- well almost , some of us tried to do their homework during our stay.


THURSDAY: Decided to drop by Moon Leaf Dapitan as I went to meet my leader, Tita Cha. Got honey green tea ( with Pearls!) for the first time. As I prepare myself to punching in the straw--the cup broke! Got tea all over the floor and the edge of my shirt. The good thing? They gave me a new cup of tea without me asking! :)

The instance where they miss-spell your names and you just have to take a photo of it.

FRIDAY: It's my friend, Nessil's, birthday! I gave her my free tea birthday coupon. We decided to walk to Moon Leaf Morayta from our church in Lacson even though it was already past 9pm. Got my favourite Hakka milk tea and her free pudding milk tea, took some pictures and went off!


Whew! And I say this isn't my favourite tea shop? A statement that's hard to defend.

tea again

So I'm drinking tea again. And I'm not supposed to right now for two reasons:

1) I just had coffee this afternoon and this is just too much caffeine for me.
2) Colds!
but why not? Yougurt + Green tea is just genius!

Can't have enough! Herbal Jelly Green and Black Tea from Simple Line.

Tea-drinkers Rejoice!

I am a tea-drinker. That is one of the things I got from my mom ( who boils all kinds of different leaves for tea :)). I stopped drinking tea for quite some time but recently got back to it, partly, because of this:

Coffee Konjac Black Tea by Simple Line

Simple Line has got a huge following in the year or so that it's opened near UST but I only got around to tasting it a week ago. I'd say this would be one of my commercial tea favorites (and I've got a feeling I'd be posting a lot about tea in the coming months!).

 Their tea has a strong flavor especially the green teas which tastes and smells much like the jasmine teas served at old Chinese restaurants-- very calming. Also the distinct clinking sound of the ice reminds me of rain sticks (bamboo instruments that sound like rain or a stream when moved). There are a wide selection of fruit and milk tea mixes, almost all in either green or black varieties. It sounds elaborate but the special thing about this line is well-stated in it's name: simple. 

People are talking about: Tapioca Green/Black Tea, Caramel Green/Black Tea, Yogurt Green Tea, Coffee Konjac Green/Black Tea
I Wanna Try: Yogurt Green Tea, Blueberry Green Tea
Best Deal: All (35-55 Php)
Best for: stress relief