Are you ready to transform your daily grind into a delightful routine? On this episode of “Spill the Tea”,  we explore our go-tos for all things ritual and routine. We sit down and share our favorite morning and night practices, from making your bed and ordering coffee to winding down with a comfort show and a relaxing cup of tea. Plus, we will dish on our favorite TV shows and the accents we love to imitate (British, anyone?). And if you're feeling stuck or stagnant, we will even discuss the power of changing your name to reinvent yourself and embrace a new chapter in your life. Join us as we explore the intricacies of how to look forward to small moments in your day and what that means in the grander scheme of maintaining daily routines. 

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Dreams and Daybreak: Taking Things Slow

Everyone knows the concept of breakfast being the most important meal of the day, but sometimes mornings in general are the most important PART of your day. Setting your mornings up for success means setting the rest of your day up for success, as those crucial hours following the minute you wake up will truly set the tone. This is all a part of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, especially when days can become stressful and unpredictable. It’s important to make time to focus on yourself, applauding the small wins and promised moments you prioritize. 

Darkness of Night: Winding Down for the Day

In addition to a slow morning, a purposeful nighttime routine is also vital when it comes to maintaining a schedule. Whether it be keeping up with your skincare routine or watching a few episodes of your favorite binge-worthy series, your nighttime rituals are a key part in getting a good, rested sleep. When put together with a calming morning routine, the stresses within these time periods can feel like less of a burden, especially when you have moments to look forward to.

What’s in a name?

Sometimes names can be a great representation of who you are – or are they? In this episode, we speak about reinventing your image through name changes and nicknames, and how a simple label can define how you come across to others. We also discuss the difference of names across cultures, and depending on where you come from, this dictates how short or long your name could be.

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Start off the day right:

Ed Mylett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC67d0lzzAs

Here are some resources on building your winddown routine:

https://dhrupurohit.com/step-by-step-sleep-protocol/
https://somnustherapy.com/tips-and-benefits-of-a-wind-down-routine-before-bed/

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In this episode, we explore the complexities of work relationships and how they can become an issue in our lives. With work taking up a large portion of our time, it's important to understand how to navigate these relationships and maintain a healthy work-life balance. We also discuss the unique challenges and rewards of working in the restaurant industry, where the fast-paced environment and close quarters can make for intense relationships with coworkers. And what about working with your partner? We hear from couples who have successfully managed to work together without letting it strain their relationship. Join us as we spill the tea on the world of work relationships and learn how to handle the challenges they bring.

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The Line Between Relationships and Coworkers

We begin our episode by exploring the dos and don’ts of maintaining work relationships while being in an external, romantic relationship with your significant other. Where is the line drawn between business and personal, and should this line be crossed at all? It is important to set and maintain boundaries between your partner to ensure that things don’t get messy, but it is truly up to you and your partner what constitutes as healthy or havoc. Some even say you shouldn’t get involved with your coworkers as it may pose an HR issue. Especially when there is a power imbalance between the coworkers in question, these relationships can quickly turn into sticky situations. 

But now we must ask ourselves: why do these relationships form in the first place? For many, the workplace becomes a central location in our day-to-day lives, and we may even spend more time with our co-workers than our own families. Naturally, we gravitate towards those relationships as we share common struggles and experiences. Of course friendships are inevitable, but when they are taken a step further, things may not turn out the way you may have hoped. 

Restaurant Industry Relationships

When it comes to crossing the friendship line in work relationships, the restaurant industry plays a large role in facilitating these connections. Working in restaurants is certainly not for the faint of heart, and stress levels can soar high. Many times, the way you act, dress, and come across can be nitpicked constantly by higher-ups or customers. In return, the stress of maintaining this image – all while trying to keep up with a fast-paced, unforgiving workload – can lead to a need to vent and take out frustrations. Since your coworkers are often easily accessible figures who can relate to your struggles, they become the ones who offer a shoulder to cry on. But, in many cases, the line between friendship and infatuation becomes blurred. 

Can we truly ever be able to work with our significant others? On rare occasions, these relationships can be maintained and work productively. But, more often than not, there can be catastrophic consequences to mixing business and personal. Working with your significant other can lead to bringing the stresses of the day home, without an unbiased opinion that looks at these struggles objectively. Slowly, the relationship becomes one that only discusses the intricacies of the workplace, and we can fall victim to neglecting deeper connections outside of work matters. This can disrupt a healthy work-life balance, and breaks apart relationships when a “Who has it worse?” mentality becomes established. 

Tune into this episode as we explore the challenges of workplace relationships and how to properly navigate the line between business and personal lives. 

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Other articles & takes on work spouses:

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/relationships/a28038753/work-husband-meaning/

https://theshaderoom.com/twitter-debates-over-work-husbands-wives-in-wake-of-gma-scandal/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2020/02/13/lets-stop-talking-about-work-spouses/?sh=686ca96f6399

Working in the restaurant industry:

https://www.eater.com/22264517/restaurant-kitchens-abusive-working-conditions

https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/workforce/restaurants-emphasize-culture-are-winning-labor-war

https://www.7shifts.com/blog/working-in-a-restaurant/

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Are you preparing for a job interview with Pochi and want to know what we’re looking for in a job candidate? Or have you been simply curious to see what hiring is like at Pochi? In this episode, we’re sharing some of the interview questions we like to ask and what we're looking for in your answers. We will also give you some insights into the values of our business and what we value in a potential employee. Whether you're a first-time job seeker or a curious listener, this episode will provide valuable tips and advice to help you succeed in your job search. Tune in to learn more!

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BEFORE YOUR INTERVIEW

Years ago, when I was in Retail, job applicants waiting for an interview with my manager would check in and wait around in our store until my manager pulled them into her office for an interview. At some point in the interview, she would always ask them to describe what sales we had going on in our store at the moment. 

Looking back, it explains why she always had them wait a little longer. It was to give them time to take in their surroundings and observe what was happening in our store, whether it was the current promotions we were having or observing what the work itself entailed. 

While you may not always get the chance to observe the work environment, you CAN do a little research to make sure you are familiar with the company you are applying to. Look at their website and their social media channels.

If you’re applying for a position at Pochi, have you visited the location you’re applying to? Have you gotten a drink before and what was your experience?

Doing your due diligence before your interview shows the level of seriousness you have for the job position and tells employers that you care and you want it. 

A few other tips to prep for your interview:

• If you’ve never been to the location of your interview before, look it up ahead of time on Google Maps. See how long it’ll take you to get there and account for any traffic. It’s important to be on time and it’s also nice not having to worry about the little logistical details of your interview like location so that you can focus your attention on the actual interview itself. 

• Read & review the job posting & description. This will give you a better understanding of what your potential employer is looking for. If you have any questions regarding the posting, description, or position after reading it, then great! Bring those questions to the interview! 

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THE INTERVIEW

There are two things we like to keep in mind when interviewing: do you fit our team (or can add to the culture) and is our team a good fit for you?

It’s important to us that we get to know what you’re looking for in a job and workplace because it needs to be the right fit for both parties. 

Here are a few quick tips for your interview:

• Authenticity is your friend. Keep in mind that you’re in a professional setting. However, be sure to give us a glimpse of your personality. We want to hire a HUMAN, not a robot. Plus, it makes you more memorable!

• Explain your answers or give a little bit of context. Knowing your answer is one thing and knowing the reasoning behind your answer is another. Give us both.

• Be mindful of your body language. Smile. Make eye contact. Catch yourself on things like excessively tapping your foot. We know interviews are nerve-wracking and your interviewer is not there to judge you. Their purpose is to find out if we’re a good fit for each other. So take a deep breath and remember to breathe.
  
  

Interview questions we go over in this episode:

• Tell me about yourself.

• What do you like to do in your free time?

• What are words you live by?

• What do you value more, cooperation or the end result?

• If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

• Describe what a good leader looks like to you.

• What is your dream job?
  

These are some of the questions we like to ask in some of our interviews. In the episode, we go into more detail on the purpose of asking certain questions, what we’re really looking for, and why. So be sure to give this episode a listen to get a closer look into interviews & hiring at Pochi.

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LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED

Join Our Team

Matthew McConaughey’s Speech

Learn The Back Story of Pochi in the VERY FIRST episode of Spill The Tea!

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RELATED LINKS

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN INTERVIEW IN 11 STEPS — INDEED

WHAT IS IT LIKE BEING A NEW HIRE AT POCHI?

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Connect with us on Instagram.

Welcome to our FIRST EPISODE of Spill The Tea, where we’re spilling the tea about the owners of our company, Pochi. We get to know who the owners are and learn about their journey into the world of Pochi back in 2015. They actually dive into a topic that people always ask them about, why Pochi? So join us as we uncover the story behind how Ralph, Arthur, and Malyn met and started working together. Grab your cup of tea and let's spill the beans on the Pochi owners!

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From Friends to Business Partners 

We take a trip down memory lane and learn about the individual paths that brought the owners of Pochi together. Ralph and Arthur discuss previous visits to Pochi as customers and the moment that started it all and got the ball rolling. Then continued their discussion of how Malyn came into the picture and why.

Ralph, Arthur, and Malyn all have a connection to Marysville with them either growing up there or have lived there at some point in their life. Arthur, who has a background in dance and IT, speaks first about his passion for dance and how it led him to connect with Malyn through mutual friends. Malyn, who also has a background in dance, comes from the retail and event planning world. She discusses how her skills in these areas prepared her for the demands of running a business like Pochi. Ralph, who has a background in martial arts, talks about the impact it’s made on him and about his “entrepreneurial fire.”  Together, the three owners took a risk and made the jump to acquire Pochi in 2015. With it, they took Pochi’s OG orange, green, and yellow walls, and set forth on making the brand their own. 

The Vision for Pochi 

A big part of the vision Ralph, Arthur, and Malyn had for Pochi was to take from their own experiences and give back what they’ve learned and pour it back into the people. Each of them have their own individual goals for Pochi whether it’s to foster a place of belonging, investing in their future, or doing something that is bigger than themselves. At the end of the day, the people, our team, are always top of mind.

Something that Ralph always says is that “we’re not in the Bubble Tea Business. We’re in the People Business. We just happen to make Boba.” It’s our own spin on what Howard Schultz has said about Starbucks being in the coffee business. 

That is something that carries over into our Core Values for Pochi where 1) our team is family, 2) our customers are family, and 3) we take care of family.

This is the reason why Pochi offers our team things like a Gym Membership or a 401k among other benefits. It influences the way we make our decisions as well, from what we offer on our menu to how we scale as a business.

Future Pochi - Spill The Tea

As far as where Pochi is headed next, we hope to take you on that journey with us more! This podcast is one of the directions we’re taking Pochi and we want to continue to share our stories with you. And we want to share the stories of other creatives, business owners, and just amazing human beings, who we feel are very inspiring and can teach us a thing or two. 

Tune in to the next episode where we peel back the curtains a bit on how we approach hiring & interviewing- Ep. 2: Not-So-Secret Interview Tips & Tricks

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Join our Team
>> Take your shot at becoming a bobarista! <<

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Connect with us on Instagram!

As the air outside becomes crisp, days become shorter, and our streets are adorned with lights in every color, the holiday season makes its way – yet again – to fill our lives with love, laughter, and of course – our SEASONAL DRINK LINEUP! Whether it be a trip to the Christmas tree farm, an ice skating session, or just quality time with friends and family, we have you covered with drinks that are sure to bring holiday cheer to any bubble tea lover. 

Starting with a twist on a classic holiday beverage, here at Pochi we present to you the Chocolate Eggnog and Coffee Eggnog milk teas! Rich, creamy, and reminiscent of a vanilla custard, eggnog has always been a staple when it comes to celebrating the season’s greetings. Enjoy this classic favorite with some of our most popular milk teas (Chocolate and Coffee) and your favorite toppings to create a flavorful masterpiece. 

This year, we know Santa is definitely on the hunt for some milk and cookies, and what better way to accommodate his favorites than trying our Peppermint Cookies n’ Cream Shake! With a festive spin on a Pochi classic, this seasonal drink is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth as we transition to the holiday season. Our recommendation – try it with chocolate swirls or crema for a more decadent drink!

Although our hot drinks are available year-round, what better time of the year to keep warm with your favorite teas and milk teas! Ask for any of your favorite milk teas and iced teas to be made hot and you’ll be guaranteed to be kept warm and cozy no matter what the weather may bring. Our recommendation – try a Brown Sugar Black Milk Tea or Honey Lemon Green Tea made hot with your favorite toppings!

No matter what holidays you may celebrate this time of the year, here at Pochi, we are determined to spread care and joy to all that pass through our doors! Whether it be escaping the harsh weather to enjoy some much needed game time with friends or grabbing boba for the family get together, our seasonal drinks are sure to liven any festivities this winter! 

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MILK TEA CREMA RECIPE

Ingredients:

- 6 tbsp Milk Tea Powder
- 6 tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream
- 2 tbsp Hot Water
- 2 tsp White Sugar

Instructions:

1. Mix hot water and milk tea powder together. Stir well.

2. Add in white sugar and stir.

3. Add heavy whipping cream. Using a hand mixer, mix until soft peaks form. (You want it to be fluffy but pourable.)

4. Pour on top of your drink of choice & enjoy!

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Watch the Instagram Reels Video of us making the Milk Tea Crema.
Recipe used for Brown Sugar Milk Tea used in the video.

Links to supplies & tools used in Milk Tea Crema video:

With the holidays right around the corner, it can be easy to get wrapped up (no pun intended) in trying to find the perfect gift for the ones you love the most. This year, take a seat, relax, and renew because Pochi has all the gifts you need for that special someone in your life. From athletes to self-care enthusiasts, Pochi has you covered so that stress can be a thing of the past. For real bubble tea fanatics, sometimes your favorite drink isn’t enough! Here at Pochi, we’ve got all your merch needs – from hoodies to Hydro Flasks, you can take a piece of Pochi with you everywhere you go! You can find all these items at our Kirkland location, and on our brand new e-commerce website!

Pochi Hoodies: Soft, cozy, and perfect for any Pochi fan – our signature Corgi hoodie is bound to keep you warm on even the chillest trips to get your favorite bubble tea. (Available in youth and adult sizing [S,M,L — MORE SIZES TO COME!])

Candles: Sip your favorite bubble tea and enjoy a relaxing night by the light of our favorite Baisun candles. Available in three signature scents – Brown Sugar Boba, White Peach, and Honeydew Melon.

Lanyards: Perfect for anyone on the go, make a statement and rep your favorite bubble tea spot with our custom Pochi lanyards. Choose from a range of 10 colors – you’re bound to find the perfect match for anyone in your life. 

Hydro Flasks: Whether it be school, the gym, or simply staying hydrated throughout the day, our custom Pochi engraved Hydro Flasks are the best reusable companion to keep you company. Available in White and Orange, these water bottles are the perfect way to keep any beverage of your choice cold or warm (and yes, your favorite bubble tea drink included). 

Metal Straws: Reusable and easy to clean, our metal boba straws are the best gift for any bubble tea fanatic. Cut down on plastic straw waste and explore our selection of Teal, Coral, and Purple reusable straws. 

Stickers: Perfect for laptops, Hydroflasks (wink wink), and even your car, our Corgi emblem stickers are the best accessory for any Pochi lover in your life. 

Whether you’re a new or returning boba lover at Pochi, Thai Tea is definitely a star contender when it comes to choosing a flavor that’s right for you. With a sweet, silky, full-bodied flavor, this Pochi classic is hard to resist. Although we love our house made Thai Tea, we happened to stumble on a new twist to this classic recipe: BLUE Thai Tea made with butterfly pea powder.

Unlike the vibrant orange color of our usual Thai Tea, this product promises to deliver a beautiful blue tint that is sure to turn anyone’s head. Since we love our original product so much, we decided to test it out (so that you don’t have to)!

Following our usual recipe and replacing the tea leaves with the blue Thai Tea, we were so excited to see how the flavor profiles would compare, and wanted to see who would come out on top. We started by steeping the tea in hot water, waiting six minutes before straining out the leaves. Next, we added a tablespoon of sugar to the freshly brewed tea and stirred until dissolved. The tea portion itself was complete, and we just needed to add the finishing touches. 

As we poured our fresh Thai Tea over some ice and topped it off with some half and half (in typical Pochi fashion), we were amazed by the beautiful blue color it produced – almost like that of clouds in a blue sky. One by one we sampled the drink, and to our surprise, it tasted NOTHING like our regular Thai tea! 

Now let’s get one thing straight: just because it didn’t taste like our in-house Thai Tea DOESN’T mean it was horrible. With notes of vanilla and some florals, we would collectively rate the blue butterfly pea Thai Tea a 7 out of 10 – not bad for a first try! On our next attempt, we definitely shouldn’t cut corners and steep the tea for only six minutes, and rather wait a whole hour the way we usually do for our normal Thai Tea (despite what the recipe says on the back of the blue Thai tea packaging). This way, the flavor probably wouldn’t be as light and the caffeine would definitely come in with a stronger kick! In this department, our original, house-made Thai Tea definitely takes the cake! On the other hand, the aesthetics for the blue Thai Tea are for SURE a 10 out of 10 – Instagram worthy for any bubble tea lover! Overall, this is definitely a fun project to try out at home, and we’d love to know if you end up trying it as well!

FIND IT ON AMAZON: Blue Butterfly Thai Tea

INGREDIENTS:

• 5 tsp (10g) Blue Butterfly Thai Tea

• 6 oz water

• 1 tbsp white sugar

• 2 oz half and half

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a pot or kettle, bring 6 oz water to a boil

2. Place tea leaves in a heat safe container and pour in hot water

3. Cover the container with a lid or towel and let it steep for one hour

4. After one hour, use a strainer to separate the leaves from the tea and pour the liquid into a glass

5. Next, add in sugar (add 2 tbsp for a sweeter taste) and stir to dissolve into the freshly brewed tea

6. Fill the glass to the rim with ice

7. Finally, top off the tea with half and half and give it a stir

8. ENJOY!

With a coffee shop or coffee stand literally on every corner of the street, it’s so easy to get your caffeine fix in the morning. As we get into the colder months, it’s only going to get darker which means, it’s going to get harder and harder to wake up in the mornings.

If you’re a night owl like me, then you know how hard it is to wake up and caffeine is a must.

While it’s not coffee, I like to start my day with a hot cup of chai. If I want more caffeine, then I’ll opt for our iced Thai Milk Tea.

Our team, on the other hand, likes to make their drinks with Red Bull, so if you’re into energy drinks that’s a great option!

Whatever your preference, we have options.

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1. THAI MILK TEA

This is my go-to drink, not just for caffeine, but in general. I LOVE THIS DRINK SO MUCH. It is sweet, creamy, & definitely super caffeinated! Thai Tea is bold in flavor and it’s no surprise it is always one of our most popular milk teas. It’s great blended as a shake or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream added, but the milk tea definitely has the most caffeine for sure.

2. HYPED BEAST

Green apple, Blue Raspberry, & Red Bull. This drink will wake you right up not to mention how good this drink LOOKS and SMELLS too! Complete the experience with some jellies on the bottom.

3. BLACK TEA SHAKE

The blended version of our classic milk tea! The tea used in this shake is brewed extra strong so it doesn’t lose any of its flavors when blended. Great paired with boba or pudding!

4. COFFEE MILK TEA w/cold brew added

Our coffee flavor is just that - a flavor. It doesn’t actually contain any caffeine which is great if you’re looking to enjoy coffee without the caffeine kick. However, if you do want the caffeine kick, adding a shot or two of cold brew will do the trick!

5. MANGO GREEN TEA w/red bull added

Add Red Bull to your tea for even more caffeine. While I am not an energy drink kind of person, I have seen this ordered quite a bit. And you know, this sounds like a yummy, refreshing way to get your caffeine fix.

BONUS: Customize it your way!!!

Have your own go-to drink already and looking to add some more caffeine? Add tea, cold brew, or Red Bull to your drink! While you can’t add these to every single thing on our menu, you have lots of options. The best way to see these options is to head to our online ordering site. You can see all the modifications you can make to your go-to drink!

Cheers.

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Ready for the school season?
We’ve got some resources for you…

• Boba Back-to-School Finds we found for you!

• First year in college? You’ll want to read this.

• Feeling a bit nervous about meeting new people at school? We got you.

Like many other students this fall, you may land into the category of up-and-coming college freshman. Although starting college can be an exciting transition from childhood to adulthood, this isn’t to say there won’t be challenges along the way. One major factor that was especially hard for me starting college would definitely have to be finding a sense of community amongst a sea of new faces. It’s easy to feel alone in a new environment like this, especially if you’re going to a large university. However, when times feel tough, trust me when I say that every other freshman is in the exact same boat you are. 

Though it may seem overwhelming, the process of making new friends in college isn’t as difficult as it may seem at first. The best part about starting your freshman year is that everyone else is also looking for friends and finding a place to fit in within the school’s community. Here’s a few ways to get you started in your journey of finding the people who are right for you:

Joining a club/sport

This one may seem like the obvious answer, but joining a club or sport is one of the best ways to find people that have similar interests or a way to find a niche that may appeal to your desired major. Many of these on-campus organizations offer free, engaging events and opportunities that you may have not discovered otherwise, and are an awesome way to build community within a topic you enjoy. Joining a club is also a fantastic way to discover new interests you may have not known you had, and could potentially guide you in the direction of finding a major that peaks your curiosity. 

Joining Greek life

Much like joining a club or sport, Greek life is also an awesome way to build long-lasting friendships and helps members to build connections that could potentially lead to mentorship and future career options. Philanthropy is the key foundation for every sorority and fraternity, supporting local and international organizations that bring awareness and raise money for important causes of their choosing. By joining Greek life, not only will you have the opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded, driven men and women, but you will also have access to a community of alumni that can aid in future career options and progression in your major.

Forming study groups

Since studying is already a must for any college student, why not form a study group! By reaching out to other students in your class, studying can become even more efficient by gaining the perspectives and help of others that may be asking the same questions you are. Not only will you gain support within the classroom, the time spent studying outside of class with your study groups can lead to friendships as well. Try grabbing lunch or having a late night study session with your fellow classmates – sometimes a shared struggle (aka studying for an exam or simply being in a hard course)  is the best way to build connections and become even closer than you may have expected!

Keep your dorm doors open

When moving into your freshman dorm, one tactic I’ve found that definitely works is leaving your door open while you’re hanging out in your room – this gives others on your floor the green light to peek in to say hello and introduce themselves! You can also take your own initiative by knocking on other people’s dorms to introduce yourself as well. This may seem a bit strange and forward at first, but trust me when I say it is greatly appreciated! Everyone is looking to make friends and by making the first move, the pressure is removed and I can guarantee other students won’t be “weirded out”! 

Connect through social media

Social media is a fantastic way to find potential friends, reach out to potential roommates, as well as a great way to network for a potential career! By looking through who is following your school’s page, you are bound to find hundreds if not THOUSANDS of other new students who are in the exact same position you are. By following and messaging other students about potentially meeting up or attending freshman events together, you are bound to find at least a few people that will be your perfect friend match! This is also a great way to reach out to students you know in class, and have a way to communicate informally.

Back in 2020, the world shut down. The pandemic hit and all our lives were forever changed.

While we all know how difficult the peak of the pandemic was for everyone, there was some good that came out of it.

• Stronger team – it showed my team that we CAN get through adversity & tough times together. It helped us show more support, grace, & understanding for our customers AND for each other too.

• Online orders – we always thought about having an online ordering system, but the pandemic forced us to get it done sooner rather than later. It is something we are and will continue to use & develop.

• Connection – while the pandemic was very isolating at times, it also forced people to connect differently and find new ways to connect or reconnect with people.

For my husband and I, we joined Clubhouse, a voice-only app that blew up during the peak of the pandemic. We joined and founded Boba Club.

It was like a virtual cafe. You come in, place your boba order, then stay and chat with everyone. And no, we didn't deliver boba to you although that would have been cool! It was a safe place for all to connect. Our team of moderators was from all over the world with different backgrounds and it was just all around so much wholesome fun.

(Our moderators created a boba generator that is still LIVE today! Check it out: http://bobaclub.com/order/)

Honestly, we were just trying to fill our need for social connection like everyone else. We wanted to talk to other people who liked what we liked, which obviously was BOBA.

What we didn’t expect was to meet and connect with SO many people in the boba community from all over the world. From Nepal, Germany, Taiwan, and Australia to the boba connoisseurs all over California. We have since been able to meet many in person. Now we get to call many of them our good friends and are even working with some on a professional level.

The founder & owner of Baisun Candle Co., Brandon, is one of them!

When he reached out about curating a small selection of their hand-poured soy candles, we were so excited. These candles are inspired by nostalgic Asian flavors & smell SOOOOO good! What's even more awesome was that he founded the company in 2020 during the pandemic!

(Find out more about their incredible story here!)

This partnership was a no-brainer as we are incredibly grateful for the strong boba community that we get to be a part of and the opportunity to support small businesses like this one.

Now let's INTRODUCE the candles we’ve curated for Pochi, shall we?

Let me start off with the fact that these are only available at our Kirkland Location. We are outgrowing our space at Lynnwood and do not have the room to display or hold merchandise. Hopefully, in the years to come, we will be able to renovate and change that!

However, until then, find these at Kirkland. You can also order these for pick-up when you place your boba order as well!

HONEYDEW

Think classic HONEYDEW MELONA bars. The smell of nostalgia and childhood memories. And if that wasn’t your childhood, then it’s not too late to make some new memories!

WHITE PEACH

White Peach has a more crisp, floral scent in comparison to yellow peach. Its light & airiness is the perfect touch to a freshly cleaned home. And boy do we love a nice, clean scent.

BROWN SUGAR BOBA

One whiff of this and you'll agree with us that it screams BOBA. Iconic🤩 and what a treat it is! This cozy candle warms up any space and captures the warmth and essence of boba so perfectly.

I am personally so excited to introduce these candles to you. Not only will you be supporting 2 small businesses, but you’ll be comforted and enwrapped in the joy that these candles will bring.

Please drop a line & let me know your thoughts!! Looking forward to hearing from ya!

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Ready for the school season?
We’ve got some resources for you…

• Boba Back-to-School Finds we found for you!

• First year in college? You’ll want to read this.

• Feeling a bit nervous about meeting new people at school? We got you.

Like many of the crew members here at Pochi, I started my journey with the company during my senior year of high school – ready for independence and full of excitement for what college had yet to offer. I figured I was ready for this new chapter in my life – “Bring it on!” I thought, only to be faced with the most challenging few months of my life. 

Being a straight-A student in high school, I was under the impression that I knew everything there was to know about starting at a University. “How much different can it be?” I thought to myself, unaware of the harsh reality I was about to be confronted with. Shortly after starting my first quarter at the University of Washington, I realized that my expectations were nothing like what I ended up experiencing. 

I guess I didn’t know as much as I thought, and realized that no one had truly prepared me for what college had to bring. I also realized that many other people may not have as much direction when it comes to starting their first year in college either. There are so many things I wish I knew before my first quarter, and these are just a few I thought would be helpful to share: 

1) Re-learn how to study!

Now, you may be thinking, “I already know how to study!” and that could possibly be true. But if you’re anything like me, getting good grades in high school was a piece of cake. My study habits weren’t anything crazy, but they did land me some awesome grades and a love for learning. It wasn’t until I was brutally humbled during my first chemistry exam in college when I realized my method of studying wasn’t going to cut it for this rigorous amount of coursework. For me, instead of simply reading assigned chapters and finishing homework, I had to rewire my thinking about what it takes to truly absorb the information I was learning.

In my experience, I’ve found that rewriting notes immediately after lectures, joining a study group, and spending a little time revisiting topics every single day has helped me retain the most information possible and prepared me most efficiently for exams – doing just assigned homework isn’t going to cut it in this environment! Another aspect I’ve learned to incorporate into my new study habits is to teach another person the topics you are currently studying. By going through the subject verbally and using visual cues to help aid your lecturing, the concept of being able to teach another person what you are learning shows the highest level of expertise!

2) Stress is inevitable!

From school work to house work, even the smallest things can stress me out. With the added pressure of new curriculum, new friends, and new environments, stress is absolutely inevitable! During my first quarter at University, I would have to say that my anxiety levels were at an all time high with everything I was trying to balance on my plate. With stress being an inescapable part of the college experience, stress management is extremely important when it comes to your mental health and overall wellness.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in a whirlwind of deadlines and exams, and we often forget to make time in the day to let our minds reset and relax. You know what they say – your health is your wealth! I know there can be a lot to do, but taking even thirty minutes to an hour every day to focus on yourself can make the biggest difference. Whether it be finishing a quick workout, writing in a journal, grabbing boba with friends, or even making time to do absolutely nothing, these small things act as a breath of fresh air when you’re caught up in everything else you have to accomplish. This is also the best way to prevent burnout, which is the result of constant overworking without time for rest (trust me – been there, done that, still doing it). 

3) Friends will come and go!

I know, I know – this one is a hard topic to come to terms with. Going from seeing your childhood friends every day for over a decade to suddenly being thrown into a campus of strangers can be entirely overwhelming. When graduating high school, I was under the impression that I would have the people I saw every day in my life forever. As the year progressed, I quickly learned the harsh reality of friends drifting apart and starting new, individual lives. Although it may be uncomfortable, this is a completely natural process when you are surrounded by new environments – people change and so will you! It’s okay to hold these friends fondly in your mind, even if they start drifting away, but just know that the people meant to be in your life will stay/make an appearance when you least expect it!

4) Sleep will be your savior!

One of the most important things I’ve learned when it comes to preserving your health (and your grades) is definitely having a comfortable sleep schedule. When I entered my first finals season, I’ll be the first to admit that all-nighters were a pretty common occurrence in my study routine. This may have seemed like a good idea initially, carving out hours of undisturbed cramming and sacrificing just one night of sleep. I quickly learned that an all-nighter is one of the worst things you can do when trying to prepare for an exam. I was rudely awakened the morning of my exam by my tired eyes and aching mind, barely strong enough to make it to class – let alone take a test! With a combination of a good night's rest, prior preparation throughout the quarter, and of course something caffeinated from Pochi , performance on an exam will be ten times better than the result of a tiring all-night study session. 

5) It’s okay not to know!

It’s. Okay. Not. To. Know. It is 100%, absolutely, positively OKAY not to know what you want to do with your life! All throughout my own life, I have felt an extreme pressure to make the decision of what career path I want to pursue and what my future will be like one day. As a result of this, I went into my first quarter thinking I wanted a specific degree and ended up realizing that it was absolutely not the path for me. I grew resentful of myself and disappointed that I couldn’t live up to the expectations that everyone seemingly had for me. It took months for me to realize that confusion and indecision does not equate to failure! I also did not realize how many other people were in the exact same boat I was – questioning their path in college and switching between majors every few months. I also completely understand the pressure of having to choose a major based on the opinions of parents or peers. In the long run, however, your future is what you make of it, and shouldn’t be dictated by what others THINK is right for you – only you can truly make that choice for yourself.

For many going back to school in the fall, this time can become extremely stressful for students and parents alike. In my experience, the highs of summer can be severely overshadowed by the looming school year to come. Whether it be worrying about coursework or trying to organize all the supplies needed for success, there never seems to be quite enough time to check off everything on your to-do list. 

To prepare for the upcoming school year, I always like to make sure to have a clear agenda of what needs to be done in order to succeed. Many days, this also includes something caffeinated by my side (okay I’ll admit it – more like EVERY day), which helps me to stay alert and focused for whatever is thrown my way. Some of my favorites from Pochi that keep me moving and motivated include a Thai Milk Tea (caffeine lovers – this one's for YOU), a Hyped Beast Slush (for all my red bull fans), and of course my go-to: a Brown Sugar Black Milk Tea! 

If you’re looking to explore some other options to keep you awake during those long nights studying for exams, try some of these other fan favorites as well: 

• Jasmine Milk Tea

• Strawberry Mango Slush ADD REDBULL

• Coffee Milk Tea ADD COLD BREW

• Passionfruit Green Iced Tea

• Honey Lemon Black Tea

In my experience, back to school, though seemingly filled with endless tasks to complete, can be an exciting time as well. My favorite part has always been being able to pick out cute supplies that make me excited for the year to come. Whether that be picking out a new backpack, stocking up on notebooks, or even adding a few other trinkets to my cart that I know will brighten up the year, I’ve always looked forward to seeing what’s new and exciting every year in stores. 

I’ve realized this year that my caffeine dependency, love for Boba, and excitement for school supplies could easily be wrapped up in one package! Suddenly, I found myself ordering everything Boba related off of Amazon I could get my hands on – I just couldn’t resist! Whether it be my new Boba backpack that I can’t wait to show off, or even my Boba planner that will help me stay on track, the Bubble Tea lover in me is absolutely DYING over how cute my new supplies are. 

To take the load off of your back to school list, I’ve included some of my favorite picks that will have the inner Boba lover in you ecstatic and prepared to go back to school this fall. Check out some of these awesome finds:

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Although the shining star at Pochi is of course the drinks, we can’t forget some other key “Bubble Tea Must-Do’s” that will guarantee the best experience possible!

Must Do #1: Toppings, toppings, toppings!

First things first – toppings! Of course we won’t judge if you prefer nothing at the bottom of your drink, and we’re always willing to accommodate your personal tastes. We got you! Toppings, we believe, truly differentiates bubble tea from any other drinks on the market. A milkshake or iced tea can be easy to come by, and are available at virtually any place you can think of. Whether it be an addition of classic brown sugar boba, strawberry popping boba, or one of our many fruity jellies, toppings elevate any drink from simple to sensational! The whole bubble tea EXPERIENCE!

Must Do #2: Fresh is best!

Like many others, you may have tried to refrigerate your half-enjoyed bubble tea in the fridge, only to revisit it hours later and find separation within the drink as well as some hard toppings! Although it may be tempting to save your drinks for later, bubble tea is best enjoyed fresh in order to get optimal flavor and texture! Bubble tea is NOT like 2-day old pizza. Enjoy it now!

Must Do #3: Double it up!

Can’t decide what flavor to choose on your next visit? Not to worry – double cups are going to be your new best friend! Choose any two milk or iced teas with any toppings you desire to create your new favorite combo! This fan favorite is also only available at our Lynnwood location, so make sure you don’t miss out on this sweet duo!

Must Do #4: Bring your best-teas!

When stopping in for your favorite drinks, you can’t forget about the sweetest and best addition to any visit – your friends! Whether it be an afternoon catch up or late night Uno battle, friends will always make the perfect pairing for any drink! Can’t decide what to do on a slow night? Pile into the car and turn it into a night to remember over your favorite bubble tea! Feeling the heat from hanging out at the beach all day? Escape the sunshine and cool down with a board game or two! 

Milk teas, shakes, and slushes – oh my! Along with many other bubble tea lovers, you may have found yourself entering a Boba shop, confronted with a large menu filled with endless options. If you’re new to bubble tea, this can come off a bit overwhelming at first, and you may be wondering, “Where do I even start?”

Ordering for the first time shouldn’t be an intimidating process, and we’re here to make sure that finding your perfect drink can be a breeze. 

When choosing a blended drink, you are given the choice of either a creamy shake or slush. For those who love milkshakes and smoothies, we’d recommend a Strawberry Banana, Thai Tea, Avocado, or Taro Shake! For lovers of slushes and all things refreshing, try out a Strawberry Mango, Peach Passion, or Pineapple Slush!

Now that you’ve decided on your drink, another important question comes to the table: “Should I add toppings and what should I get?” For a more classic flavor, our brown sugar Boba is an easy addition to any drink, whether it be tea-based or fruity! Our other classic toppings include egg/taro pudding, grass jelly, red bean, as well as aloe and crystal boba. If you’re looking for something new, a selection of either strawberry popping boba, kiwi popping boba, lychee jelly, rainbow jelly, or green apple jelly may be more your speed (or of course a combination of it all)! The possibilities can be endless as far as toppings go, and if you’d prefer something that will go with any drink you choose, we recommend choosing regular Boba, Mini Boba, or Lychee Jelly!

Traditional vs. Adventurous – what vibe do you usually gravitate towards? If you’re leaning towards something classic and reliable, we’ve got you covered! Some of our favorite traditional recipes include Black Milk Tea, Taro Milk Tea, Thai Milk Tea, Hokkaido Milk Tea, and Jasmine Milk Tea. This is a great place to start, especially if you want to delve into the flavors that have popularized bubble tea so highly today! 

If you’d consider yourself more of a daredevil, don’t be afraid to push the envelope and look past tradition! Here at Pochi, we offer creative alternatives to classic bubble tea flavors, including combos such as our Fruity Crunch Shake, Blue Hawaiian, and Mango Chamoy. Are you still unsure about trying something new and prefer something more traditional? Consider a drink that puts a twist on a classic taste, including our Taro Strawberry, Avocado Chocolate, or even a Honey Black Tea Shake!

As the seasons change, we understand that palates change as well! On a hot summer day, nothing sounds quite as refreshing as a Honey Lemon Green Tea – guaranteed to help beat the heat and brighten up any mood! When temperatures start to drop and the chills start creeping in, a Hot Brown Sugar Black Milk Tea will soothe the soul and bring warmth to any occasion. 

Another easy way to start your decision making will rely on your preference of either a strong tea flavor or a fruity alternative. For tea fans, we offer a selection of black, green, oolong, and white tea as a base for your drinks. For those who prefer a fruitier experience, there are over twenty different fruit bases for any type of drink you choose (our favorite flavors include strawberry, mango, passionfruit, guava, and lychee)!

We’ve made it to the register! Now is the time to show your stuff and let your bobarista know your perfect order. Let’s refresh our memory on the key factors of what to keep in mind: texture, flavor, and toppings. If you have preferences about sugar or ice levels, as well as any dairy alternatives you may prefer (oat, almond, coconut, soy), now is the time to speak up so your bobarista can make your drink perfect!

When in doubt, try out one of our favorites!

• Taro-Oreo Shake

• Brown Sugar Milk Tea

• Thai Tea Milk Tea/Shake

• Fruity Crunch Shake

• Blue Hawaiian Shake 

• Taro Strawberry Shake

• Strawberry Mango Shake/Slush

• Oolong Milk Tea

Being a Seattle native, the concept and culture of “grabbing Boba” has always been a part of my weekly routine in one way or another. To some people, the idea of this might sound a bit extreme:

In my opinion, bubble tea has become an easy addition to my week, just as coffee is seen to be essential to many others. Whether it be a small treat after dinner (and you can try to deny this all you want but I KNOW those sweet cravings start creeping in as the sun sets), a reason to hang out with friends, a refreshing companion for running errands, or especially a much-needed cool down on a sunny day, bubble tea has evolved from simply a delicious drink to the perfect pairing to any lifestyle. 

If you’re sitting here wondering, “What even is Boba?”, then you are definitely not alone in this situation. Let’s start by getting one thing clear – “Boba” is simply an umbrella term for all things Bubble Tea! Bubble Tea holds its origins in 1980’s Taiwan, and has since spread in its popularity all the way into our mainstream culture today. The “Boba” refers to the tapioca pearls most commonly found at the bottom of your drink. Although it can be referred to by many names (pearls, Boba, tapioca, etc.), these sweet and chewy additions are a must-have for any new or seasoned Bubble Tea lover.

Here at Pochi, the “Boba” umbrella covers every drink we offer on our menu; this ranges from milk teas, iced teas, shakes, and slushes! 

If you are new to Bubble Tea, the common question of “What does Bubble Tea taste like?” may be running through your head right now. Although offered in a variety of flavors, textures, and temperatures, the bottom line of Boba is that comfort and refreshment are at the forefront. Whether it be a silky, smooth Brown Sugar Milk Tea or a vibrant and crisp Peach Mango Slush, a feeling of satisfaction and a desire to keep slurping is sure to follow any experience with Bubble Tea. 

When looking to start your Boba journey, it’s important to acknowledge how to figure out what drink is right for you. Bubble Tea consists of five key factors: texture, base, flavors, customizations, and toppings. Texture is definitely at the forefront to any order, setting the tone of how the drink will be enjoyed. Perhaps you enjoy the sweeter things in life, and prefer to take your time to stop and smell the roses along the way – a slush (much like a slurpee) or shake (much like a traditional milkshake) will probably be your best option. If you consider yourself to be more “on the go” and constantly have a list of things to accomplish, an iced tea or milk tea (a non-dairy base that includes tea or fruit flavors over ice) will most likely be your best friend to sip on as you power through the day.

Next we move into the base of the drink, which includes the option of tea, milk (or non-dairy alternative), or ice (used for blended drinks). At Pochi, we offer black, green, oolong, and white tea for anyone with the need for caffeine (or for any tea lover in general)!

If caffeine isn’t exactly your speed, not to worry! Many boba establishments offer options! A majority of our milk teas, shakes, and slushes include no tea at all, and are fully flavored by fruits and non-caffeinated ingredients. After choosing your drink consistency and base, we now move on to the fun part – flavor of course! With hundreds of menu options and customizable flavor combinations, the possibilities for finding a drink you love is endless! 

Although all the drinks deserve their own love and spotlight, some drinks you may consider if you’re looking for something new or trying out Bubble Tea for the first time include a Taro-Oreo Shake, Avocado Chocolate Shake, Thai Milk Tea (for super caffeine lovers), Strawberry Mango Slush, and of course a classic Black Milk Tea! When in doubt, however, nothing can beat the king of flavors and definitely the most popular of all the drinks on our menu: a Taro Shake or Milk Tea! 

If it seems like you’ve tried all of our suggestions and menu options, not to fear! Our drinks are fully customizable to your flavor preferences, so don’t be shy to order a custom blend of flavors in any form of Bubble Tea you choose! 

As we delve into customizations, it’s important to emphasize that Bubble Tea is NOT a one size fits all, and everyone’s preferences are different and must be acknowledged. This is why at Pochi, it is vital to us that everyone is able to enjoy their drinks according to their own personal needs. Are you into more robust flavors without much of a sweet tooth? All of our drinks can be adjusted in sweetness to your preference (0%-100%)! Tired of all that ice in the way of your favorite tapioca pearls at the bottom of your cup? Try ordering your drink with less ice or no ice at all! 

Bubble Tea is increasingly getting known for its flexibility in customization options so, to no surprise, we also make sure that all your favorite dairy alternatives are on hand at all times. Don’t hesitate to ask for oat, almond, coconut, or soy milk with any of your drinks! 

Now that our texture, base, flavors, and customizations are all decided, our Bubble Tea is almost ready to be enjoyed! However, we can’t neglect one of the main stars of the show – the toppings! The term “toppings” can be a bit deceiving upon first glance, considering that these inclusions are typically at the bottom of your cup. This is the most common reference to tapioca pearls or any other inclusions you can add, so don’t let the name stop you from ordering as many “toppings” your heart desires. Although tapioca pearls are the most popular of all toppings, we also offer classics such as egg pudding, red bean, and grass jelly, as well as fruity options such as jellies and popping bobas (a growing favorite amongst Pochi fans)! 

The Bubble Tea community have also developed their own scale to determine the quality of tapioca pearls, referring to this scale as “QQ” when judging how chewy and satisfying the Boba is. Made from tapioca starch, Boba pearls transform into its famous bouncy texture when boiled in hot water, and are then emulsed in brown sugar to give it its irresistible sweetness. The term “QQ” is the main determinant of the texture of boba, referring to the pearls as perfectly chewy with an excellent mouthfeel. Similar to the way one would describe pasta as “al dente”, Boba connoisseurs pride themselves on being able to judge tapioca pearls based on this “just right” texture. Now that you’re familiar with the term, the next time you’re enjoying your tapioca pearls, you might even think to yourself, “The texture of this is QQ!”

We finally have all the components to the perfect cup of Bubble Tea, and now it’s time for assembly. The toppings will first go on the bottom of the cup, followed by your drink of choice. After this, the cup will be placed in a sealing machine, which uses heat to press on a thin covering on top of the cup’s opening in place of a removable lid. Why would one use this instead of a traditional lid? Think of the last time you ordered an iced coffee, and all the possibilities for spilling that result from the lid itself. Without any openings or holes, the signature seal on top of a cup of boba makes a perfect accessory for transport without worry of mess. With any Bubble Tea drink, this seal also allows for the drink to be shaken up to mix together the drink and the toppings – a crucial step in the Boba enjoying process! 

At this point you may be wondering, “How will I drink the Boba without an opening at the top?” This is where the iconic Boba straw comes into play, and serves as the perfect vessel to allow the toppings at the bottom of the drink to come through. These straws are much larger than what you may be used to, and are the ideal size to enjoy tapioca pearls. Simply take your straw and poke it through the seal, and enjoy the satisfying POP of the straw going through!

Now that you’re a Bubble Tea expert, it’s time to take your knowledge to the field! Explore all the possibilities Boba has to offer you and who knows, you might even consider adding a Bubble Tea run into your daily routine!

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If you need helping finding the right boba for you, check out our step-by-step guide to help you decide!