A Guide to the Best Milk Tea Spots in the Philippines
Milk tea shops have gained significant popularity in recent years, offering a refreshing and flavorsome alternative to conventional tea and coffee. These establishments are known for their assortment of milk tea concoctions, typically comprising tea mixed with milk and sweeteners like sugar or honey. The beverage comes in various flavors such as classic black tea, green tea, and fruit-infused variations.
Many milk tea shops also offer a range of toppings and add-ins, including tapioca pearls, jelly, and fruit bits to enhance the taste and texture of the drinks. These toppings can be tailored to individual preferences, making milk tea a versatile and personalized beverage option. Moreover, these shops often provide a cozy and inviting ambiance, making them a popular spot for socializing and unwinding.
History of Milk Tea
Milk tea, also known as bubble tea, originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s. It is believed that Liu Han-Chieh and Lin Hsiu Hui of Chun Shui Tang, a popular teahouse chain in Taichung, Taiwan, were the first to create cold milk tea after being inspired by iced coffee on a trip to Japan. The unique combination of tea and milk quickly gained popularity, leading to the proliferation of local milk tea shops.
Milk tea is typically made by blending black tea with milk and sugar and adding tapioca pearls or other ingredients such as fruit or jelly. The type of tea used in milk tea can vary, with popular varieties including Assam, Oolong, Jasmine, and more. In some regions, such as Okinawa and Hokkaido, green tea is used. Over the years, milk tea has become a staple in many parts of Asia and has gained traction in other parts of the world, including the United States and Europe.
One popular variation of milk tea is charcoal roasted milk tea, made by roasting the tea leaves over charcoal before brewing, giving the tea a smoky flavor highly sought after by tea enthusiasts.
Famous Milk Tea Shops
Milk tea has become a popular beverage in the Philippines, and several milk tea shops have garnered a loyal following. Here are some of the most popular milk tea shops in the country:
Gong Cha
Gong Cha, a Taiwanese-based brand, has been in operation in the Philippines since 2009. They offer a wide variety of milk tea flavors, including classic milk tea, wintermelon, and brown sugar milk tea, known for their high-quality ingredients such as fresh milk and premium tea leaves.
CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice
Coco, a popular Taiwanese beverage chain, has been in the Philippines since 2013, recognized for unique milk tea flavors such as salted caramel milk tea and 3 Buddies milk tea, as well as a variety of toppings like pearls and pudding to enhance their drinks.
Serenitea
Serenitea, often dubbed as the OG of milk tea shops in the Philippines, opened its first branch in 2008, offering a wide variety of milk tea flavors, along with unique sinkers like nata, black pearls, and egg pudding to add a distinctive twist to their beverages.
Macao Imperial Tea
Although a relatively new player in the milk tea scene, having opened its first branch in 2017, Macao Imperial Tea has quickly gained a following for its unique flavors such as Cream Cheese Milk Tea and Cheesecake and Pearl Milk Tea, as well as its selection of other beverages including fruit teas and coffee.
Chatime
Founded in Taiwan in 2005, Chatime has expanded to over 2500 locations worldwide, including the Philippines where it opened in 2011, offering high-quality tea leaves and unique flavor combinations, from classic milk tea to indulgent chocolate milk tea.
Despite new trends and innovations, the classic milk tea remains a customer favorite. The drink is made with black tea, milk, and sugar, creating a rich and creamy beverage. Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea is another popular choice, offering a unique twist on traditional milk tea by adding fresh fruit and fruit juices to the mix.
Happy Lemon
A well-recognized beverage brand that pioneered the expansion of tea culture and lemon drinks to various countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and the Philippines, with unique blends of flavors such as Milk Tea with Oreo and Matcha Latte, including the world-first invention, Rock Salt Cheese tea, which has become a fan favorite.
Tokyo Bubble Tea
Originating in the Philippines, Tokyo Bubble Tea offers a wide variety of milk tea flavors, such as Taro Milk Tea and Strawberry Milk Tea, known for their use of fresh fruit and unique toppings like popping boba and aloe vera.
Yi Fang
Yi Fang, a Taiwanese-based brand in the Philippines since 2018, offers a variety of milk tea flavors, such as Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea and Passion Fruit Green Tea, known for fresh fruit and unique blends of flavors.
Infinitea
An established milk tea shop in the Philippines, Infinitea offers a variety of milk tea flavors such as Wintermelon Milk Tea and Okinawa Milk Tea, known for their use of fresh ingredients and unique blends of flavors.
The Alley
The Alley, a Taiwanese-based brand, has gained popularity in the Philippines for their unique Brown Sugar Deerioca Series drinks, known for their use of fresh milk and distinct deer-shaped tapioca pearls.
Moonleaf
Moonleaf Tea Shop has become a beloved staple among milk tea enthusiasts in the Philippines, boasting over 80 branches nationwide and offering various classic and unique flavors for everyone.
Milk Tea Varieties
Milk tea comes in a wide array of flavors and variations, some of the most popular being:
Bubble Tea
Also known as pearl milk tea, this Taiwanese tea-based drink typically comprises milk, sugar, and chewy tapioca balls, available in a variety of flavors.
Black Tea
More oxidized than green, oolong, and white teas, black tea has a robust flavor and higher caffeine content, featured in milk tea varieties such as Okinawa milk tea and creme brulee.
Green Tea
Made from Camellia sinensis leaves and buds that have not undergone the same withering and oxidation process, green tea has a milder flavor and lower caffeine content, showcased in milk tea variations such as matcha and jasmine green tea.
Fruit Teas
Steeped with fruits, herbs, and spices, fruit teas come in a variety of flavors and are enjoyed hot or cold, with options such as wintermelon tea and taro milk tea.
Brown Sugar Boba Milk
A popular Taiwanese milk tea made with brown sugar syrup, tapioca pearls, and milk, featuring variations like brown sugar boba milk with cream mousse and brown sugar pearl tea latte.
Thai Milk Tea
A sweet and creamy tea made with black tea, condensed milk, and spices such as star anise and served over ice with mint leaves as a garnish.
Rock Salt and Cheese
A milk tea variety originating in Taiwan, featuring a layer of cream cheese foam seasoned with salt and sugar on top of a tea base, offering a unique salty-sweet flavor.
Creamy Milk Tea
A milk tea type made with a creamy base like soy milk or almond milk, often sweetened and offered in flavors such as charcoal roasted milk tea and halo-halo milk tea.
Essential Ingredients
Milk tea, a popular drink with a unique taste, consists of tea, milk, and other ingredients providing its distinct flavor. While the key ingredients used in milk tea vary across different shops, some are commonly found in all establishments:
Tea
The essential ingredient in milk tea, giving it its unique flavor, commonly black tea like Assam, Earl Grey, or English Breakfast, and optionally, green tea such as Oolong and white tea like chamomile or jasmine, brewed and mixed with milk and other components for the final product.
Milk
An essential element for creating a creamy texture and balancing out the strong tea flavor in milk tea, usually fresh milk, sometimes condensed milk or cream cheese for a richer taste.
Pearls and Sinkers
Chewy toppings added to milk tea, with boba or tapioca pearls being the most popular, along with other types such as black pearls, sago, and nata de coco. In addition, newer additions include sinkers such as coconut jelly, kundol, and egg pudding.
Fresh Fruits
Preferred as a refreshing and healthier alternative to chewy toppings, adding a distinct flavor to milk tea drinks, with popular choices including strawberries, mangoes, and kiwis.
Trends and Innovations
The milk tea industry has experienced rapid growth, with new trends and innovations regularly emerging. A recent trend is the use of panda milk in milk tea, gaining popularity due to its unique taste and health benefits. Panda milk tea is made by blending panda milk with black tea, creating a sweet and creamy beverage.
Delivery services have also become increasingly popular in the milk tea industry, offering customers the convenience of ordering their favorite drinks from home through popular apps. Moreover, milk tea franchises have seen tremendous success, providing a wide variety of flavors and styles, making it effortless for customers to find a drink they love.
Despite the new trends and innovations, classic milk tea remains a customer favorite. Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea, incorporating fresh fruit and fruit juices, is also a favored choice.
Health Considerations
While milk tea is enjoyed by many, it is important to consider the health implications of consuming it regularly. High sugar content is a primary concern, as most milk tea shops add significant amounts of sugar to their drinks, potentially leading to weight gain and other health issues. It is recommended to be mindful of sugar content and opt for healthier sweeteners such as honey or stevia when possible.
Another consideration relates to the use of tapioca pearls and pudding as toppings, which, while adding a fun texture to the drink, are high in calories and may contribute to weight gain. Enjoying these toppings in moderation and opting for healthier alternatives such as fruit jelly or grass jelly is advised.
However, milk offers protein, calcium, and potassium, important for bone health and body composition, and tea contains antioxidants that can help protect against certain diseases, presenting potential health benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find milk tea shops near me?
Milk tea shops are ubiquitous in the Philippines, with popular outlets like Gong Cha, Coco, and Serenitea. Locating a nearby milk tea shop is easy through a Google search or using food delivery apps like GrabFood and Foodpanda.
What are the menus of popular milk tea shops?
Popular milk tea shops offer an extensive range of menu options including classic milk tea, fruit tea, cheese tea, and specialty drinks, with various add-ons like pearls, pudding, and jelly. Gong Cha, for instance, features a variety of flavors such as Matcha, Brown Sugar, and Wintermelon. Serenitea offers unique flavors like Hokkaido Milk Tea and Okinawa Milk Tea, and Coco is known for its cheese tea.
What are the best milk tea brands?
The best milk tea brands are subjective and depend on personal taste and preference. Gong Cha, Coco, and Serenitea are among the popular brands in the Philippines, with other brands like Dakasi, Happy Lemon, and Macao Imperial Tea also enjoying a loyal following.
What is the most popular milk tea in the Philippines?
While the most popular milk tea flavor in the Philippines is debatable, classic milk tea, wintermelon, and brown sugar milk tea top the list of frequently ordered varieties.
What are the best locations for milk tea shops?
While milk tea shops are pervasive throughout the Philippines, key locations include malls, commercial areas, and near schools and universities.
How do I write a business plan for a milk tea shop?
Developing a business plan for a milk tea shop involves identifying the target market, creating a menu, selecting a location, and calculating startup costs. Researching the competition and developing a marketing strategy are important, and seeking advice from a business consultant or mentor can be beneficial.