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!