milk tea – Jellybeans in the City

Frotea’s Flavorful Expansion: Batangas & Cavite Welcomes New Branches

Frotea, the pioneer of innovative milk tea dessert experiences in the Philippines, is on a mission to redefine the sweet tooth’s paradise. With vibrant interiors and a contemporary vibe, its branches in Ibaan and Rosario, Batangas, have already made a mark since the brand’s launch last September. Now, the excitement brews as Frotea gears up for two more sensational openings in Bacoor, Cavite, slated for the first quarter of 2024.

A Taste of Frotea’s Charm

Frotea doesn’t just serve delightful drinks and desserts; it curates an ambiance perfect for post-school hangouts, weekend gatherings, merienda delights, or casual lunch dates. Embracing a fusion of pop colors and modern aesthetics, its spaces promise a welcoming atmosphere for families and barkadas alike.

Affordable Delights & Unique Offerings

The heart of Frotea lies in its promise of affordable indulgence. With prices under P100, guests can savor an array of unique flavors. The spotlight shines on its Dark Choco Ice, a Bingsu-inspired delight that melds premium cocoa with creamy milk, as well as its fish waffles, a crunchy-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside Korean-inspired treat. For those seeking a fun, interactive experience, its soft-serve Panda ice cream paired with popping boba is a must-try!

Sip and Savor

The menu at Frotea continues to expand along with its horizons. From the Classic and Cream Puff series to the Signature Oreo and Ube concoctions, patrons can explore an assortment of flavors. For a lighter alternative, the Fruit Teas offer a refreshing choice. Pair any of these delightful beverages with Frotea’s unique desserts for an ultimate sweet symphony.

Bringing People Together

Engr. Ana Margarita Lustre-Malijan, co-founder of Frotea, shares, “Our expansion journey is about creating spaces where people can relax and create memories. We’re excited to extend affordable drinks and desserts to places like Batangas and Cavite, fostering a welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy delightful milk tea, one cup at a time.”

Indulge at Frotea

Whether it’s the charm of Batangas or the allure of Cavite, Frotea invites everyone to experience its delectable offerings. With the new spots in Batangas and the upcoming branches in Cavite, visitors can revel in these sensational treats. Explore these havens in person or opt for doorstep delights via Food Panda and Grab Food.

Stay connected with Frotea through its official website and social media channels on Facebook and Instagram for updates, events, and all things delicious.

Details provided in a recent press release.

Frotea Rebrands to Become the Philippines’ Favorite Milktea Dessert Brand

Frotea, the much-loved milk tea brand hailing from Palawan, is not just a delightful beverage; it’s a whole experience. The brand has embarked on an exciting rebranding journey to position itself as the Philippines’ leading “Milktea Dessert Brand,” promising a taste of “Summer in Every Cup.” Since its humble beginnings in 2012, Frotea has come a long way, expanding its horizons beyond Palawan to places like Batangas, Laguna, Bataan, and South Cotabato. With 23 branches across Luzon and Visayas, Frotea is on a mission to win the hearts of Filipinos and secure its spot as the number one milktea dessert brand in the nation.

The Evolution: From Froyo + Milktea to “Summer in Every Cup”

Frotea has undergone a sweet transformation, transitioning from its original tagline of “Froyo + Milktea” with the phrase “For You and Me,” to its current captivating identity as the country’s premier ‘Milktea Dessert Brand.’ The rebranding was fueled by a dedication to innovation, aligning the brand with evolving trends, consumer preferences, and the spirit of the times. Ana Lustre-Malijan, the visionary founder and owner of Frotea, emphasized its commitment to understanding and adapting to shifting consumer tastes, engaging in surveys and extensive product testing to keep its offerings in sync with what the customers desire.

Tailoring Taste: A Menu for Every Filipino Palate

At the core of Frotea’s rebranding mission is a pledge to cater to Filipino tastes. In its eleven years of success, Frotea has meticulously curated a menu that resonates with diverse palates. From classic flavors to seasonal delights, they offer a variety that is a testament to its understanding that preferences change and evolve. Regular consumer surveys and product testing are part of Frotea’s efforts to stay ahead of these changes, ensuring that its menu always aligns with the latest trends and consumer desires.

New Horizons: Expanding and Innovating

To commemorate its eleventh anniversary and rebranding, Frotea has introduced three exciting menu additions: Dark Chocolate Ice Cream, Panda Ice Cream, and Fish Waffles. These delightful treats go beyond the traditional milktea offerings, keeping Frotea at the forefront of the game. Frotea’s commitment to innovation means that itsmenu is always evolving, featuring new flavors that reflect trends and consumer preferences.

Spreading Sweetness Nationwide: Future Plans for Growth

Frotea has recognized the vast potential in reaching various regions and demographics across the Philippines. By studying market trends and consumer preferences, the brand has identified strategic areas for growth and expansion. Frotea aims to establish new branches in bustling metropolitan cities and smaller towns, ensuring that the delightful taste of Frotea desserts is easily accessible to people across the nation.

A Sweet Promise: Better in Taste, Service, and Connection

For Ana Lustre-Malijan, the rebranding of Frotea represents not just a claim to the top spot but an aspiration to be better—better in taste, service, and in connecting with the hearts of Filipinos nationwide. By venturing into new markets, adapting to local tastes, and maintaining a steadfast focus on quality and sustainability, Frotea is well on its way to being the undisputed number one milktea brand in the country.

Frotea embraces this rebranding journey with enthusiasm and a promise to continue delighting, surprising, and inspiring customers all over the Philippines. Stay updated on Frotea’s products, branches, and upcoming events by visiting its official website and following it on Facebook and Instagram.

About Frotea: A Taste of Paradise in Every Sip

Frotea has been enchanting taste buds since 2012 with its irresistibly delicious milk tea drinks and fruit juices crafted using authentic ingredients from Taiwan. Founded in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, this rapidly expanding brand now boasts 23 branches across Luzon and Visayas, bringing a little piece of paradise to every cup.

Details and image provided in a recent press release.

Satisfy your summer thirst with R&B Tea

If the summer heat is getting to you, you’d be happy to know that R&B Tea is here, ready to quench your thirst and cool you down during these hot days.

R&B Tea is a new bubble tea brand that originated from Taiwan and has since expanded to many countries worldwide, including the Philippines. The brand was founded in 2015 with the goal of providing high-quality tea beverages to customers.

R&B Tea takes pride in using premium tea leaves, fresh fruits, and high-quality milk to create its drinks. The brand offers a wide range of tea drinks, including classic milk teas, premium brewed teas, and specialty drinks like cheese foam teas, mousse series. They also offer toppings, such as tapioca pearls and cheese foam, to add a fun and flavorful dimension to their beverages.

R&B Tea is marked by its unique and innovative drink offerings. One of their signature drinks is the Milk Tea with Brown Sugar Pearls, which features chewy tapioca pearls cooked in a sweet brown sugar syrup and added to a creamy milk and oolong tea base.

Clearly, this refreshing drink is the perfect refreshment for the summer. Here are seven irresistible moments to savor this delicious drink and cool you down during these hot days:

After a day spent outdoors. Whether you’ve been out hiking, biking, or simply taking a stroll in the park, there’s nothing quite like rewarding yourself with this refreshing drink to quench your thirst and satisfy your sweet tooth.
During a summer picnic. Gather your friends and family for a fun summer picnic, complete with R&B Tea’s Milk Tea with Brown Sugar Pearls. It’s an easy and delicious way to bring a unique twist to your usual picnic drinks. Plus, the brown sugar pearls are a fun and satisfying treat that everyone can enjoy.
During a beach day. A day at the beach can be hot and tiring, but this beverage can help you cool off and recharge. Sip on this refreshing drink while lounging on the sand, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the ocean breeze.
As an afternoon pick-me-up. Feeling sluggish in the middle of a hot summer day? R&B Tea’s Milk Tea with Brown Sugar Pearls can give you the boost you need. The caffeine in the tea will help you stay alert, while the sweet and chewy brown sugar pearls provide a satisfying treat to perk up your mood.
During a barbecue party. No summer barbecue is complete without some refreshing drinks, and R&B Tea’s Milk Tea with Brown Sugar Pearls is a great option for both grownups and kiddos. The brown sugar pearls make for a fun and unique addition to the party, and the tea provides a refreshing break from all the savory food.
As a post-workout drink. Whether you’ve been hitting the gym or doing some yoga in the park, R&B Tea’s Milk Tea with Brown Sugar Pearls is a great way to reward yourself after a workout. The carbohydrates in the brown sugar pearls can help replenish your energy, while the tea can help soothe your muscles and hydrate your body.
During a road trip. Take your summer road trip to the next level by packing a few cups of this drink. It’s a delicious and easy way to keep yourself and your passengers refreshed and satisfied during a long drive.

R&B Tea’s Milk Tea with Brown Sugar Pearls is a must-try drink for anyone looking to indulge in a refreshing and unique bubble tea experience this summer. With its rich and caramelized brown sugar pearls and smooth and creamy milk tea base, this drink is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

So hie yourself off to these R&B Tea branches to grab yourself a cup (or two!) of this reinvigorating beverage:

R&B Tea Retiro
R&B Tea Shopwise Sucat
R&B Tea Festival Mall
R&B Tea MCX
R&B Tea SM Tanza
R&B Tea Greenhills
R&B Tea Boracay,
R&B Tea SM Tuguegarao
R&B Tea SM Cauayan
R&B Tea UPS
selected Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Shakeys outlets

You can also order online.

Know more about R&B Tea by visiting its website or following it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature.

Relaxing teatime at Serenitea, Mega Fashion Hall

Christmas shopping is quite frenetic and stressful, isn’t it?

The holiday season brings in throngs of people to the malls, and the mad rush for gifts and other essentials for the season can make one feel oppressed or irritable.

When this happens, do you know what can help?

A cup of sweet tea, that’s what!

After a bout of shopping and a quick lunch at SM Megamall, the kids and I were craving for something sweet, as well as wishing for a place to sit.

Fortunately, Serenitea has a branch at Mega Fashion Hall where we can rest and recharge ourselves while sipping our refreshing tea drinks that included:

Did you know that Serenitea introduced the use of an espresso machine to brew tea in the country? Back then, they already offered the options to customers to personalize their drinks by adjusting the sweetness level and the addition of sinkers.

During the quarantine, Serenitea also launched its DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Home Kits, allowing house-bound milk tea lovers to enjoy their favorite drink even when stuck at home.

Today, however, we can all just drop by any of its branches to enjoy its concoctions!

So go ahead and enjoy some sweet and refreshing serenity at Serenitea!

This Serenitea branch is located at the Fifth Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, EDSA, Mandaluyong City, open daily from 10am to 8pm.

Other branches are located at:

Caloocan: Veacon Hope
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Makati: Glorietta 3, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, Greenbelt Chancellor
Mandaluyong: Caltex Boni, Greenfield District, SM Light Residences, The Corner Market Podium
Manila: Bacobo Street Ermita, Robinsons Place Ermita
Muntinlupa: ATC Cinema, Festival Mall, Metro Gaisano Supermarket ATC
Paranaque: Aseana Square, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, BF Homes, Butterfly Garden Newport City, SM Bicutan
Pasay: MOA Two E-Com Tower A and Tower B, The Shore Strip Residences
Pasig: Estancia Capitol Commons, Ortigas Exchange Regency
Quezon City: Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Bgy Siena Banawe, Congressional Town Center, Eastwood Cyber & Fashion Mall, Belfast Greater Lagro, SM North EDSA, Rallos Street Tomas Morato, UST Lacson, Vertis North
Rizal: Robinsons Antipolo
San Juan: Greenhills Shopping Center, GNL Building Little Baguio
Taguig: Active Fun BGC, Fort Burgos Circle, Fort Technology Center, Venice Grand Canal Mall, Burgos Circle

Serenitea also delivers via GrabFood, FoodPanda, Pick-A-Roo and Booky.

Stay updated on Serenitea’s promos and offers by following it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Check out my previous posts about Serenitea:

Tea’s the season: Salamat, Shopee and Serenitea

Your moment of Serenitea can be so sweet

Guiltless goodness in Tagaytay: Koomi

One of the happiest discoveries of the family’s Tagaytay sojourn is the presence of one of our favorite yogurt drink stores at the nearby Ayala Malls Serin.

Koomi is an Australia-based chain which specializes in combinations of natural probiotic drinking yogurt with various fresh and wholesome ingredients to produce yummy and icy drinks.

If you haven’t tried Koomi drinks yet, you definitely should mainly for two reasons:

They are so good for you. Yogurt aids in digestion, boosting immunity and is rich in nutrients that promote bone health.
They taste so good. Flavored with natural sweeteners like fruit honey and enhanced with fruits, nuts and other healthy ingredients, Koomi drinks are yummy concoctions meant to be heartily enjoyed.

I took the opportunity during a supply run in Ayala Malls Serin to take out some delicious Koomi drinks for the fam, such as:

I opted for the Aussie blend, resulting in drinks with a very pronounced tanginess. However, Koomi also offers a Filipino blend which has cream added to the mixture, a flavor profile more aligned to the Pinoy palate.

Tagaytay vacationers (and residents, of course!) sure have some guiltless goodness to enjoy with this Koomi branch.

It’s located at Ayala Malls Serin, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Highway Brgy. Silang Crossing East Tagaytay City, Cavite 4120.

In Metro Manila, Koomi branches are located at:

Pasig: The Podium, Unimart Capitol Commons
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Quezon City: Robinsons Magnolia, Eastwood City Mall, SM North EDSA, Robinsons Galleria, Z Square Mall, Ali Mall, Ayala Vertis North, SM Fairview, Timog Avenue, Mezza Residences, Fisher Mall QC, Hemady Square, White Plains, UP Town Center, Maginhawa
Makati: SM Jazz, Glorietta 4, Salcedo Village
Pasay: SM Mall of Asia, Double Dragon Plaza
Manila: SM San Lazaro, SM Manila, Lucky Chinatown
Taguig; SM Aura, Uptown Mall
San Juan: VMall Greenhills
Muntinlupa: Festival Mall
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Paranaque: SM City Bicutan, BF Homes
Malabon: Fisher Mall Malabon

2D Themed Cafe in QC: Kurimi Milk Tea Bar

Nope, entering this milk tea bar doesn’t magically land you into a cartoon world.

Instead, it welcomes you into a place where you can take Instagrammable pics while enjoying your freshly made milk tea.

Check out Kurimi Milk Tea Bar!

This little store in the foodie-friendly Tomas Morato area in QC serves up the Pinoy’s new favorite beverage – milk tea, of course – in a quaint and picturesque setting. Every wall, nook and cranny has been painted white with thick black outlines to give that interesting 2D effect. Yes, it’s walking into a cartoon!

Here you can enjoy a wide array of Japanese style tea drinks, from Kurimi’s signature milk tea, cheesecake and cream cheese series as well as specialty drinks that include:

Hang out here with your frinds and take a pic: you and your drink will be the pops of color against your cute 2D background.

This Kurimi Milk Tea Bar branch is located at 88 Scout Limbaga Street, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City, open for dine-in, takeout, curbside pickup and delivery via GrabFood.

For inquiries or orders, call +63 951 3558571.

Sammy’s Weekend Quick Bites

Don’t you just love weekends?

It’s that time when you can wind down and recover from the hectic work days that precede it.

It’s also the time when you can treat yourself and the fam to a few indulgences.

Some of my favorite weekend memories are those I spent with my foodie friends hanging out at Sammy’s, a hidden gem of a restaurant located in Cainta.

There, we enjoyed great Indonesian-inspired dishes, along with a lovely post-meal serenade from Chef Sammy and his wife Dorothy, amidst the restaurant’s beautifully cozy interiors.

Recently, Sammy’s brought food lovers another reason to love weekends: its Weekend Quick Bites!

On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Sammy’s offers yummy and highly snackable treats to sate our food cravings.

Being a mom to two budding foodies, I decided to have some of these munchies delivered to our home for the fam’s weekend merienda.

Korean Corndogs.

That sausage-on-stick that we love so well as kids got a significant upgrade, thanks to its thick coating of crunchy-on-the-outide, chewy-on-the-inside batter and further jazzed up with various fixins and condiments.

I got the Classic (Php99) for me, the Cheesedog (Php125) for my son, the Mozza (Php130) for my daughter and Overload (Php150) for Hubby.

I barely had time to take pictures of these corndogs as the fam was raring to get at them!

We weren’t able to try the Potato (Php125) but that’s what next orders are for!

Milk Teas.

Of course, we have to have something to drink together with our snacks, right?

Sammy’s has already got that covered with its refreshing milk teas that come in a variety of flavors with yummy and chewy tapioca pearls.

I actually already sampled these milk teas a few months ago when these were launched together with a special offer of a free slice of banana bread for every purchase.

Other milk tea variants available include: Wintermelon (Php65 16oz | Php75 22oz) and Taro (Php65 16oz | Php75 22oz).

Aside Korean Corndogs and Milk Teas, other snackable items included in Sammy’s Weekend Quick Bites are fries, nachos and floats.

Sammy’s makes weekends even better with its Weekend Quick Bites, wouldn’t you agree?

Weekend Quick Bites are available Saturdays and Sundays, from 3pm to 6pm.

Drop by Sammy’s at 14 Raspberry Bend Street, Valley View Executive Subdivision Phase 3, San Juan, Cainta to dine in and snack on these treats.

To enjoy these at home, order by calling +63 939 1483960, and book your delivery via Grab or Lalamove.

Follow Sammy’s on Facebook and Instagram to keep updated on its latest offers.

Yaki Yaki now in my neighborhood!

What’s your newly discovered snacking fave?

Mine is takoyaki, those chopped octopus-filled balls made from batter cooked in a special molded pan, then drenched with takoyaki sauce and Japanese mayo before topping with bonito flakes.

First introduced in Osaka, Japan by street vendor Tomekichi Endo in the 1930s, the takoyaki (from “tako” or octopus, and “yaki” or grilled) has reached well beyond its origins, even reaching our shores where it is sold in establishments ranging from specialty restaurants to food stalls.

While I’ve been encountering takoyaki for decades now, I’ve only recently learned to appreciate it: the chewy balls given texture by the bits of octopus, the mixture of flavors from the sauces and the umami from the bonito flakes.

When I sometimes get tired of the usual contents of my pantry, I now experience a hankering for these tasty snackable balls.

And lucky me, a takoyaki joint just opened right in my neighborhood!

Despite being a business born from the pandemic, Yaki Yaki (from YAKIsoba and TakoYAKI) has grown and is now open to franchisees to bring its delicious Japanese streetfood treats to more communities.

Its newest store opened just a stone’s throw away from my home.

Its menu, of course, includes takoyaki in wondrous variety.

As can be gleaned from its name, Yaki Yaki also offers yakisoba, a dish made of noodles stir-fried with meat and vegetables in a sweetish sauce, which can be enjoyed on its own or partnered with the store’s signature takoyaki in one delicious serving.

Aside from its filling takoyaki and yakisoba combinations, Yaki Yaki also serves handcrafted milk beverages.

These snack and beverage offerings are not only tasty and filling, they’re quite affordable too!

It sure looks like I have a new go-to snacking destination that’s right in my neighborhood! And if I’m in no mood to venture out of my home, I can always order through FoodPanda, yey!

Live nearby? Do check it out!

Yaki Yaki is located at Unit 2, Landex Apartment, 3rd Street corner Countryside Avenue, Countryside Village, Bgy. Sta. Lucia, Pasig City, open from 11am to 8pm.

Interested in this business? Call +63 998 2431707 to inquire about becoming a franchisee.

Non-dairy and fructose-free milk teas from Grillin’ Ape

As a sweet tooth myself, I have to admit that I do have trouble saying no to sugary treats.

There’s nothing like a l bit of sweetness that I can enjoy in various parts of my day to give me that little kick of energy so I can power on or get out of a slump.

However, said sweet treats may have an impact on my health.

Milk teas, for example, are some of my perennially favorite drinks but these have high sugar levels and make heavy use of dairy products which may lead to difficulty in weight management as well as other potential health problems.

If only there was a way to enjoy my milk tea fix without its troublesome components, right?

Well, the Japanese street food joint in Eastwood Grillin’ Ape has expanded its product line to include fructose-free and non-dairy milk teas under its new brand: Ape Tea.

With exciting flavors such as Honey Dew Cheesecake and Strawberry Salted Caramel, Ape Tea brings that sweet and creamy goodness of milk tea without the use of fructose-based sugars and dairy products.

Try it with some of Grillin’ Ape’s tasty Takoyaki for a light and delicious snack.

You can also enjoy it as your dessert after feasting on Grillin’ Ape’s heartier offerings.

Ready to indulge yourself with a new milk tea experience and more? Order now through the Grillin’ Ape website or via Facebook. You may also call in your orders at +63 2 83677135 or +63 956 1504450.

Grillin’ Ape is located at Eastwood Cybermall level 3, Bagumbayan, Quezon City.

Get “Cool for the Summer” at Moonleaf, Novaliches

Ooh, summer!

There was a time when it was the most awaited season among the metro’s denizens. It used to signal a time to take a break from the daily grind of school and work.

Now, though, with the country still in quarantine and restrictions on travel and mobility still in effect, you might think that the pervasive heat will be the only thing noteworthy about this season.

Well, the Moonleaf Tea Shop in Novaliches is all set to bring new reasons to enjoy the summer with its new line of drinks, aptly named “Cool for the Summer.” With these drinks, harried city dwellers can enjoy refreshing beverages that bring a moment of Zen while tickling their tastebuds. Plus, accompanied by chewy add-ons and topped with a dollop of thick and foamy wintercream, this drinks also provide opportunities for sheer indulgence.

Wintermelon Milk Tea with Pearls and Wintercream

Lychee Strawberry Tea with Rainwbow Jelly and Wintercream

Mango Black Tea with Nata and Wintercream

Watch out for these refreshing drinks this April!

Want something to nibble on as you enjoy your drinks? Why don’t you indulge your sweet tooth with some pastries?

Fudgy Dark Brownie (Php49)

Blueberry Cheesecake (Php110)

As the summer season rolls by, don’t sweat the small stuff. Starting this April, you can get cool for the summer at Moonleaf Tea Shop!

This Moonleaf Tea Shop is located along General Luis Street, Novaliches Bayan, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 8pm. For inquiries, call +63 926 7007720. It delivers via GrabFood and soon, via FoodPanda, too so you can enjoy your drinks and nibbles without having to leave home!