Have you watched The Mole on Netflix? Even if you haven’t, this episode was inspired by the show (minus the sabotage) and is a FUN one to not only listen to but watch! We have Ralph, Malyn, Megan, & Sai drinking a Mango Chamoy drink from Pochi AND one of those drinks contain a good amount of HOT SAUCE! Find out at the end who ends up with that drink and if they gave it away during the episode. We’re also diving into some of our fondest memories when it comes to the team and working at Pochi. 

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THE CONCEPT

We have Ralph, Megan, Sai, and me (Malyn) on the podcast together for the first time on video! Megan and Sai are usually on our audio-only episodes, so we’re excited for you to see both of them on camera!!

We’re answering some questions relating to our favorite memories and our time at Pochi together. At the same time, all 4 of us will be drinking some bubble tea, a mango chamoy slush with coconut jelly! All the drinks are the same, except for one! There is one drink that has quite a bit of HOT SAUCE in it. For a little more context, our Chamoy drinks are not normally super spicy.

Who do you think has THE cup with the hot sauce? Did they give themselves away during the episode or were they so good at keeping it a secret? You’ve gotta tune in to the episode to find out!

THE QUESTIONS

We’re answering the following questions with each giving our own take. From Sai’s love for Jack in the Box to me spilling water all over myself in the store to how Clubhouse has prepared us for this podcast. We’re spilling the tea, ya’ll!

1. What was your first impression of each other when you first met or started working at Pochi?

2. What’s the most interesting or weirdest drink you ever made for yourself or a customer?

3. Biggest f*ck up at work?

4. During the peak of the pandemic, it was hard for many businesses and for people in general. Were there anything you guys actually enjoyed during that time?

5. Favorite memory at work?

6. Favorite project we’ve worked on so far for marketing?

WHO IS THE MOLE???

In the end, we decide if we want to go for a Reward or a Punishment. We find out who the Mole really is and it may be a shocker. I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but let us know what you think! Did you guess right? Was it the ending you thought we were going to have? Do you want to see another episode like this again? Spill it, and let us know.

We had SUCH a blast with this one and it gave us a good laugh for sure! We hope it brought you some laughs too and sparked some of your own memories from Pochi!

It’s finally February Pochi Fam and you know what that means – Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Whether you’re in a long-term relationship, indulging in a brand new fling, or simply in love with your best group of girl friends, we’re here to help you navigate this month of love and give our picks on how to celebrate accordingly! Although the weather outside isn’t EXACTLY something to fall in love with, we’ve got you covered for our favorite at-home date night ideas that will surely stir up some lovey-dovey feelings!

DIY BOBA NIGHT

It’s undeniable that nothing hits the spot like your favorite drink from Pochi’s, but we totally understand that sometimes being able to have boba without leaving your home sounds like a dream come true! That’s why our top pick for an at-home date night would definitely be a DIY boba sesh! From cooking your own boba, picking out your favorite teas, and customizing drinks to your liking, bringing the experience of Pochi home with you has never been so easy. 

• Boba: https://amzn.to/3jarrd0

• Strawberry Popping https://amzn.to/3JiTrWH

• Tea https://amzn.to/3H6VKJG https://amzn.to/3HgLVsM

• Cups https://amzn.to/407qKBX

• Straws: https://amzn.to/3WDQMtG https://amzn.to/3Jqdv9w

AT HOME SPA NIGHT

A trip to the spa can prove to be a pricey experience – why not bring the spa to you! This date night idea is an amazing way to wind down and relax with your partner after a long day. Get ready for a night of giggles and relaxation with your special someone. Set the mood with twinkling lights, cheerful tunes, and comfy pajamas! Draw a bubble-filled bath and add in some fun bath bombs and rose petals. Give each other pampering massages or try out a delicious sugar scrub! Indulge in some DIY facials using fruity face masks and nibble on sweet treats like fruit and chocolates. With these playful spa ideas, you and your loved one will have a night filled with laughter, love, and pampering - the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day!

• Face masks

  • https://amzn.to/3DniHY5

• Bath bombs

• Shower bomb https://amzn.to/3WIGoB0

• Heart Shaped Bath Bombs https://amzn.to/3wE4rXc

• Sugar scrub

• Scrub bar https://amzn.to/3jfjiUP

• Rose Sugar Scrub https://amzn.to/3DnXPzI

• Massage Lotion

• Massage Oil https://amzn.to/3Y63emY

• Bath Set

• https://amzn.to/3HziW4F

• https://amzn.to/3ReXNAb

PAINT AND SIP NIGHT

Turn your living room into an art studio this Valentine's Day with an at-home paint and sip night. Grab your partner and a canvas and let your creativity flow while sipping on your favorite drinks. You can choose to follow a painting tutorial together or create your own masterpieces! Don't worry about making everything perfect, the goal is to have fun and enjoy each other's company! Set the mood with some soft lighting and romantic music, and make sure to have plenty of snacks and drinks on hand. You can also turn it into a fun competition by seeing who can create the best masterpiece. At the end of the night, display your paintings as a symbol of your love and the special memories you created together. A paint and sip night at home is the perfect way to add some fun and creativity to your Valentine's Day celebration.

• Paint

  • Paint Set - Sunflowers https://amzn.to/3Jobbjy

  • Set of 4 https://amzn.to/3WLiYej

• Flowers https://amzn.to/3HC8IAt

• Easy flower oil painting https://amzn.to/3Jm5xhx

• Boba (from Pochi to sip on!)

MOVIE MARATHON

Nothing is cozier than staying in to binge watch your favorite flicks with your loved one! Snuggle up with your significant other and enjoy a night of laughter, tears, and memories while watching your favorite films. Put together a list of romantic comedies, heart-warming dramas, or classic love stories to make the night even more special. Pop some popcorn, grab your favorite drinks and treats, and get ready for a night of relaxation and entertainment. Don’t forget to add some cozy blankets to guarantee a snuggle sesh! An at-home movie marathon is the perfect way to spend a cozy and intimate Valentine's Day with your loved one.

Popcorn Maker https://amzn.to/3wE54A2

• Popcorn Set https://amzn.to/3kIuxW1

• Cozy Blanket https://amzn.to/3kFy0EO

• Hot Chocolate https://amzn.to/3wCxdHA

CANDLELIT DINNER

Bring the romance home this Valentine's Day with a candlelit dinner date night. Transform your dining room into a candlelit haven for a special and intimate dinner with your loved one. Cook a delicious meal together or order in from your favorite restaurant and enjoy it by candlelight. Set the table with your finest dinnerware, cloth napkins, and of course, plenty of candles to create a warm and romantic ambiance. Put on some soft music in the background and enjoy each other's company over a delicious meal and a glass of wine. Don't forget to raise a toast to your love and all the amazing memories you've shared together. 

• Baisun Candles

• Charcuterie Board/Kit https://amzn.to/3kPMnGQ

• Automatic Wine Opener https://amzn.to/3Dh4zQ3

GAME NIGHT

Some friendly competition is also a great way to make Valentine’s Day a fun, unforgettable night! Choose from a variety of board games, card games, or video games (might we suggest a Pochi favorite – Sabobatage)  and get ready for a night of friendly rivalry. Add to the excitement by making the games a little more challenging with fun twists, like playing with your non-dominant hand or playing with your eyes closed. The goal is to have fun and enjoy each other's company, so don't be afraid to get silly and laugh!

• Sabobatage https://amzn.to/3JDW7yr

• UNO https://amzn.to/40aOxBa

• Nintendo Switch https://amzn.to/3HgLcI4

CHARCUTERIE NIGHT

Indulge in sweet treats and romance this Valentine's Day with a charcuterie night filled with decadent delights. Create a beautiful spread of delicious cheese, crackers, fruit, and other nibbles, and add a touch of sweetness with heart-shaped cookies, fancy chocolates, and chocolate-covered strawberries. Whether you make them yourself or order them from a bakery, these sweet treats are the perfect addition to your charcuterie board. Sip on glasses of wine or your favorite beverage and savor each bite as you sit back, relax, and enjoy each other's company. Light some candles, put on some soft music, and let the ambiance of love and romance fill the room. A charcuterie night with sweet treats is a perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day and enjoy a relaxing and intimate evening with your loved one.

• Chocolate Strawberry Kit

  • If you don't want to make: https://amzn.to/3HEw7BA

  • https://amzn.to/408hwoW

• Heart Shaped Cookie Cutters

• https://amzn.to/3Y1zMyD

• Fancy Chocolates

• Ferrerro Rocher https://amzn.to/3kNvQ6m

• Chocolate Truffles https://amzn.to/3XKWoDA

A TRIP TO POCHI

When in doubt, nothing beats a trip to your favorite boba shop, specifically a trip to Pochi! This Valentine’s Day, indulge in a Chocolate Strawberry Shake or a Chocolate Avocado Shake to bring in decadence the day needs! No matter what you choose, your favorite bubble tea from Pochi is the perfect way to show the one you love most how much you care!

Get ready for a wild and fun-filled ride on our latest episode of Spill The Tea! We're talking all things first dates - from mastering the art of chivalry to making a lasting impression. We'll be dishing out tips and tricks for navigating the friend zone, whether you're dating friends or trying to escape it. We'll also dive into the complexities of having a female best friend as a man in a relationship and how to navigate those waters. And, of course, we'll tackle the sensitive topic of projecting feelings about cheating in a relationship and how it can affect the dynamics of your relationship. Join us for an entertaining and informative discussion on the ever-changing world of dating and relationships through the eyes of your hosts: Megan, Sai, Ralph, & Malyn!

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WATCH OR LISTEN ON
YOUTUBE | APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY

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Is Chivalry Dead?

In today’s episode, Megan, Sai, Malyn, and Ralph kick off the discussion with their thoughts on the role of a man and woman in a relationship, and whether or not to approach dating in a more traditional or modern way. That brings us to the question of: is chivalry dead? In more recent times, women have shown to have a more independent attitude towards dating, but does that mean a chivalrous man has gone out of style?

We continue to discuss the fears of rejection, the overtake of social media and technology in our dating lives, and whether or not women prefer nice guys or jerks. On the topic of relationships between men and women, the Spill the Tea crew also touch on their ideal first dates, and how the awkwardness of payment should be approached in these circumstances. 

Escaping the Friendzone

Although it may seem impossible to imagine, in some cases, escaping the friend zone can be a possibility. We discuss how dating friends or acquaintances has become a comfortable and approachable way to enter the relationship game, as you already have a foundation for what could be. Of course, everyone’s circumstance is different, and questions are raised about how ethical it is to pursue a friend in the first place. Will it be a flourishing relationship or a recipe for disaster? 

Cheating Paranoia

Quite possibly the worst thing one could do in a relationship is to be unfaithful, and this is a common fear for almost everyone in the dating world. Things do get out of hand, however, when the paranoia of a partner cheating becomes a central part of one’s relationship. In many cases, the fear of cheating can be a reflection of one’s own intentions, and how one may react when dangled when presented with temptation. Friends of the opposite sex can also pose an issue in this area, and it is important to discuss with your partner clear boundaries to ensure that no one ends up getting burned. Can a relationship truly ever work without a foundation of trust?

What are your thoughts on relationships? We are NOT experts at relationships nor professionals in this space, so we are speaking from our own experiences. Do you agree or disagree with any of what was talked about? We’d love to hear it! Leave a comment.

POCHI PODCAST: SPILL THE TEA EPISODE 8

Our guest for this episode is none other than our dear friend, Yoshi Wright, who is a phenomenal human being as well as a talented dancer! We can’t wait for you to hear his story. 

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Yoshi Wright has been dancing for over 20 years and has been a professional dancer and choreographer in the industry for over 15 years. He’s worked on many Music Videos, TV Shows, Commercials, World Tours, Corporate Events, Award Shows and has been fortunate enough to dance with iconic artists such as Ariana Grande, Britney Spears and Selena Gomez. 

Since moving back to Seattle, he created his own workshop class called “Camera & Choreo” with his business partner Isaiah Rashaad which sold out 10 sessions in the first year. Now in their second year, they have partnered up with a non-profit called “The Backstage Foundation” and are diligently working to bring this experience to high schools around the state to expose them to industry level dance training and help them receive scholarships for opportunities that they might not otherwise have access to. He also still teaches regularly at Westlake Dance Center and films local dance classes, music videos and other content for local artists. 

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YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY | APPLE PODCAST

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Life as a Dancer

Going back to the roots of his dance career, Yoshi explains how many people have developed the idea that dancing is not a real sport. He speaks on the athleticism and strength it takes to pursue dance itself, mentally and physically. At times he has observed that the dance community lacks sponsors, support, and compensation that other sports may have. The sacrifice that professional dancers make to pursue their passion has gained the respect of Yoshi himself.

Starting a new life in LA in 2011 came with challenges as Yoshi discusses developing opportunities for himself on his own. From auditioning for Disneyland to going on tour, life came to be fast-paced and constantly changing. Yoshi goes into how his tour schedules and dance life impacted how he’s been able to spend time with his friends and family.

As a worldwide dancer, Yoshi toured the world which didn't always come with ease. The struggle to adjust to change was just as prominent as the reward and relationships created along the way. During his time in California, Yoshi describes working extra hard to be seen in LA, where everyone seemed to be extremely talented. He expresses how special opportunities were to him considering how many dancers were fighting so hard just to be seen in the “dance mecca”.

“Learn whatever you can, whenever you can, from whoever you can.”

— Yoshi Wright

Hardships
Yoshi speaks on his addictions as a young adult and taking initiative to put them to an end. After admitting to his addiction he spent 28 days in in-patient rehab. He explained how he experienced lows but eventually began to warm up to the people there and even found himself in the lecture haul teaching people how to break/bboy. He acknowledges his ability to overcome one addiction but explained how he still struggled with problems throughout most of the time he spent dancing in LA. 

Coming to Realization

While living in LA, Yoshi had a lot of videographer friends who always kept him in touch with his spark for video. The new year after moving back home, Yoshi decided to spend days and nights studying the basics of video. With the purchase of his first camera, he was excited to finally find the right balance for his life without sacrificing his creative side. 

As a young boy, Yoshi hoped and dreamed to live out pursuing his passions. He explains that where he is today in terms of successes did not go fully recognized by himself.  He claims that it wasn't until recently that he realized that he has had a lot of impact on his community as well as many people that support and care for him. Through the ups and downs, it's no doubt that Yoshi took the opportunities he was given and with that, found exactly where he wanted to be. 

It was such an honor to have Yoshi share his story with us. If you’d like to connect with him or want to see his work, check out the links below!

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Follow Yoshi on Instagram!

Personal: @yoshi_wright
Camera & Choreo: @cameraandchoreo
Video: @yw.productions

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Taking on perspectives from two different generations, Megan, Sai, Ralph, and Malyn discuss their views on different aspects of life. Ranging from social trends to favorite childhood movies, the differences are fascinating and surprising. Malyn and Ralph grew up at the beginning of the Tech boom, and Megan and Sai are growing up in one of the most technologically advanced eras. Discussing how growing up in different times unlocks memories and perspectives that may have you thinking “oh yeah, I remember that”! Grab a cup of tea and listen in on both sides of the turn of the century!

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY OR APPLE PODCAST

Generational Differences and the Future 

At the front of this episode we discuss the upbringing of the internet and the beginning stages of technology. Malyn and Ralph explain how they have grown up seeing the internet grow up beside them. The roots of where it all started keeps Megan and Sai at the edge of their seats throughout this episode. Story time begins as our millennials ask… Does anyone else remember ‘ask Jeeves’? Some of us learned that before the internet, finding information was not always so effortless as it is in present day. 

We know that there are going to be some general differences between every generation, but we feel like it's something to embrace and discuss. It's important to remember that GenZ has so much more information at the tip of their fingertips compared to what millennials had access to. How does that impact our outlooks and the ways that we think? We discuss our thoughts on the metaverse, VR simulations, robots, etc. and how this may change our near future. We also begin to wonder how new advancements and lifestyles have impacts on us individually and from a business standpoint. This falls into the next discussed topic of a constantly changing society that leaves us wondering what the next trend will be. 

The Next Trend 

How many of us feel like it's impossible to keep up with the newest trends? Whether it be fashion, lifestyle, social, etc. it feels like something is in one week and out the next. We discuss our obsessions with technology and how this contributes to constantly refreshing trends in all aspects of life. 

Although we all admit to falling victim to society’s ways, we can all agree that being self aware is sometimes the best thing that you can do in such a fast paced world. Megan, Sai, Ralph, and Malyn even reminisce about the days when Pochi was full of kids playing games, living in the moment, and enjoying their times without their phones at Pochi. Little things like that show that technology has changed the way we live our lives and how we spend time with our loved ones. With that being said, maybe its necessary to take a step away from social trends every once in a while and live for the present, as it is the best gift. 

Nostalgic and Pivotal Movies and Shows

Think of your favorite childhood movie or show…do you remember watching it on dinosaur looking tv’s or sleek flat screen tvs? Discussing things that remind us of our childhood can be nostalgic and even heartwarming. We talk about pivotal movies and sentimental shows that take us back to comforting times. Follow us as we dive into the early 2000’s and, on the flip side, the near future! 

Additional Links:

•  What is the metaverse? https://about.meta.com/immersive-learning/?gclid=CjwKCAiAy_CcBhBeEiwAcoMRHLxcNSo6Eqt21ICAdAGT9nkhupAoZ83RsTe5SliQFT1vNXs-oAKh5BoCMkAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

• Generation Alpha: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2020/02/generation-after-gen-z-named-alpha/606862/

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Looking at the menu of any boba shop, chances are they probably have ‘Taro’ listed as one of their flavors. But what exactly is Taro? Here at Pochi Bubble Tea Cafe, it’s one of our staples. In fact, this year 21% of ALL CREAMY SHAKES served were either a Taro or Taro-Oreo Shake. So why do people like Taro so much? And, is taro the same as ube? We’re here to answer those questions!

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Taro is one of the oldest cultivated veggies around—believed to be one of the first foods domesticated by humans over 8,000 years ago. Taro is a tropical plant that is grown for its starchy, edible roots, which are a staple food in many parts of the world. The plant is native to Southeast Asia, and it is grown in many other tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

The root vegetable has a light, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor that goes well with the milk, sugar, and tea used to make milk tea. The taste is comparable to sweet potato but with a lighter flavor profile and subtle vanilla undertones.

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The main differences between taro and ube are their origin, the shape and color of their roots, and their flavor and traditional uses. Taro is native to Southeast Asia and has white or light purple roots, while ube (also known as purple yam) is native to the Philippines and has purple roots. Taro has a starchy, slightly sweet flavor and is often used as a substitute for potatoes, while ube has a sweet, nutty flavor and is used primarily in desserts and sweet dishes.

Last January, we debuted an ube crema to our menu. Just like our regular crema, this adds a hint of ube flavor to any drink you desire. We are beyond excited to be bringing it back to the menu for 2023! It is available now while supplies last.

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Now that you can call yourself an expert on the differences between taro and ube, here are a few of our recommendations the next time you want to order a taro or ube drink:

• Taro Strawberry Creamy Shake

• Taro Milk Tea w/ Ube Crema

• Taro Oreo Creamy Shake

• Black Milk Tea w/ Ube Crema

• Taro Avocado Creamy Shake

• Fruity Pebbles Creamy Shake w/ Ube Crema

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RELATED LINKS:

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BUBBLE TEA

MUST-DOS FOR BUBBLE TEA

PROTEIN PACKED BUBBLE TEA

GET THE BOBA RIGHT FOR YOU

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006: Coming of Age Through Parenthood with Andrew Santos

Get ready for a wild ride with Andrew, a former Pochi employee and super dad to four kiddos! In this episode, we chat with Andrew about his crazy journey balancing work, family life, and being a young adult all at once. Listen to how he tackled the challenges of parenthood head-on and managed to keep everything (mostly) together while working at Pochi. Tune in for some hilarious anecdotes and heartfelt moments with Andrew with this special episode! 

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LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

Juggling Jobs 

Parenthood can be challenging for anyone, but supporting a family of five while working two jobs can be even trickier. Andrew shares his experience working at a boba shop while simultaneously working as a banker, and how the environment and coworkers differ drastically from place to place. At Pochi, Andrew was surrounded by like-minded, younger individuals who share the same interests as he does, compared to his banking job where he had to wear a more professional hat. Although it took sacrifice and a lot of energy, what kept Andrew at Pochi, despite having another job, was the positive energy that exuded from the workplace, and being surrounded by coworkers who are now some of his closest friends. 

While working at Pochi Andrew explains many ways in which he would combat challenges, maintain a level head, and maintain a father-like demeanor for those around him. His drive to compete with himself in combination with his developed at-home team-work skills as a dad, helped his connection with his team at Pochi. He claims that the energy the team carried brought out his youth and lifted his spirits. 

When working two jobs, Andrew admits that this didn't always come easy, it took hard work and time management to make sure he was putting food on the table and getting to spend quality time with his wife and kids. In the end, he is willing and happy to do anything and everything for his family.

Full-Time Work to Full-Time Dad

During his time at Pochi, Andrew took on the role of a full-time working dad, while his wife Erika stayed at home with their kids. Now, their lives have been completely swapped and Andrew has taken on the role of the stay-at-home father while Erika pursues her new place in the workforce. From working a 9-5 to waking up at 5 to take the kids to school, Andrew’s world has done a complete 360 from the life he had been living before.

He notes that he’s happy that his wife now gets to experience what he’s had while being in the workforce, such as making amazing new friends. Before Erika joined the workforce, her 8 years at home would leave her with little time to socialize and make new friends. Andrew loves that she is making new connections that he knew she would. After the 360 swap, he also shares that being a full-time parent is, on its own, a full-time job. From getting the kids up and ready for the day to juggling everyone's school, sports, and development schedules, it's not easy work. Sometimes what it takes is to just wing it! The best way he describes it is “As long as the family's happy and we're moving I think that's the best thing I can ask for.”

Although life can get busy, Andrew mentions that communication is key in a relationship and how prioritizing his bond with his wife has helped his marriage flourish even in the hardest of times. Without that genuine connection with each other things could have been a lot more difficult. 

Friendzone to Endzone

Not all love stories are perfect, and sometimes even the happiest of endings start off sour. Andrew shares his story about how he first met his wife Erica in high school and was even crushing on her while she was in a relationship (gasp!). But to his surprise, playing the long game eventually paid off and won her heart in the end – nice guys don’t always finish last! “For all you simps out there, I’m telling you, stay with it and be consistent,” Andrew shares, lifting up people that were once in his position and letting them know that all hope is not lost! Despite the waiting game, everything fell into place and now it seems there's a new addition to the family each year we have known Drew! In the end, things were meant to work out between these two which shows how true love will always find its way. 

We’re so happy to host Andrew on an episode of Spill the Tea! His energy is infectious and his presence lights up every room he walks into. Thank you for for tuning in to another episode of Spill the Tea, Pochi Fam!

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A Pochi 2022 Recap

Is the year already over? Looking back, we have all agreed that it was the year of change and development. Discussing our personal recaps and Pochi’s journey as we take a trip down 2022 memory lane. From weddings to living independently, vacationing, and new opportunities, we have seen and experienced it all. With that being said, our failed resolutions from our year may help us to push ourselves even further for this year in 2023. Join us while we spill the tea, dissect, and reminisce back on 2022!

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

Progressions

Having Val on our podcast for the first time, she shares how her business has progressed as a photographer/videographer. From endless requests for grad pics to new opportunities in the film realm, she can proudly say that this year came with new growth and prosperity. This year we have not only grown as individuals but have shared the common success of creating the new Pochi location in Kirkland! Starting from a vision, we managed to open up a brand new store that captures what our brand stands for. Working together in the new store has brought us unforgettable memories and the ability to create something from scratch. 

In this podcast, we have our whole marketing team on deck; Megan, Malyn, Sai, and Val. They explain how much we have developed behind the senses as well! As a team, the marketing skills, content, and creation has grown exponentially in the year 2022. They note that there's a newly formed appreciation for anyone who works with content creation because there's lots of time and effort that goes into even the simplest things. 

New Year's Resolutions - “Next year will be different though”

Each year we tell ourselves that we are going to become a “new me”! Sometimes our New Year’s resolutions last a week, a year, or don’t even happen at all! Either way, when the next year rolls around we all want to find new ways to improve and become better versions of ourselves. In this podcast, we discuss how our individual resolutions have failed and whether that will carry on to our next year's goals. From working out to reading more often, the girls discuss how resolutions they have had in the past don't always follow through to the end of the year. On the other hand, Megan, Malyn, Sai, and Val also discuss their resolutions for the upcoming year.

Who also likes to sleep in? It’s hard to stay disciplined when your schedule is demanding and you feel like there is no time for your newly desired changes. We move on to discussing  “Slow morning routines”. A habit of waking up hours before your day starts to enjoy your time and your morning with no rush or sense of urgency. Malyn notes that this may be hard to execute because we all work late nights and are also juggling other factors in our life. 

As we reach the end of our podcast we do hop off-topic quite a bit!... so get comfy and enjoy our random conversations!

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RELEVANT EPISODES & LINKS
Full Written 2022 Recap for Pochi

Episode 4: Daily Rituals & Reinventing Your Image

Make A Vision Board in 2023!

Attention all gym buffs and bubble tea lovers!

We have some seriously exciting news for you – Pochi Bubble Tea is now serving up bubble tea with a protein punch! That's right, you can now get your fix of both biceps and boba at the same time.

We know a lot of people are hitting the gym and working on their New Year's resolutions to get fit and toned. And what better way to reward yourself after a tough workout than with a delicious, protein-packed creamy shake? Our protein powder will help those muscles recover and grow, and it tastes way better than a boring old protein shake.

If you’re looking for a go-to drink to add protein to, here are some of our favorites:

• Banana Chocolate w/ Protein

• Taro Strawberry w/ Protein

• Cookies & Cream w/ Protein (this one is CRAZY delicious!)

• Pineapple Coconut w/ Protein

• Strawberry Banana w/ Protein

As we say “Hello!” to our new protein-packed boba, it is important to note that our vanilla, Whey protein additive will only be available for creamy shakes! 

And don't worry, you don't have to be a muscle maven to enjoy our protein bubble teas. They're delicious and refreshing anytime, so even if you're not hitting the gym, you can still get a protein boost with your boba!

So next time you're at Pochi Bubble Tea, don't be afraid to flex your biceps and order one of our protein-infused shakes! Whether you're a serious gym-goer or just want a tasty and nourishing drink, we've got you covered!

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This year has been a whirlwind of SO MANY beautiful things! From our Grand Opening of our Kirkland location, to growing our team, to meeting new customers, to starting a PODCAST, like what?!? We could not be more proud of our team or more grateful for our POCHI FAM aka YOU!

Take a peek at all the fun stuff that happened & be sure to let us know what was YOUR favorite moment this year!

Alright Pochi Fam, how much BUBBLE TEA did we have this year??? Shall we take a look?

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Over 37,000 lbs. of BOBA aka tapioca balls/pearls were served year-to-date!

That’s at least 18.5 TONS which is heavier than the weight of the entire Eiffel Tower! That’s A LOT of boba!

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MORE FUN FACTS FOR YOU POCHI FAM

• FAVORITE MILK TEA OF 2022: THAI MILK TEA

• FAVORITE ICED TEA OF 2022: PASSION FRUIT GREEN TEA

• 21% off ALL CREAMY SHAKES served were either a Taro or Taro-Oreo Shake!

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2022 was a year of many “firsts” for us. It was our first year operating 2 stores with 2 different teams, launching and trying new things, adopting a road, hosting a retreat for our managers, & more! It’s been lots of changes and a season of transition for us. Reflecting on our year definitely gives us a chance to truly appreciate all that we’ve accomplished & worked on this year. While we’ve summed up our year in stats, timelines, & data, the work we’ve put in day in and day out cannot be described in numbers. The hours, the efforts, the passion, the drive, the dedication that our team has put into our little business has been so profound.

Cheers to a great 2022 year! Looking forward to what 2023 brings!

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.