A few weeks ago I was invited to check out the new Mexican Hot Chocolate from The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (TCBTL). I enjoyed sampling the drink from a great coffee shop, but I was even happier to find that the Mexican hot chocolate was delicious beyond belief. During the visit, I got word that TCBTL would introduce a Thai Tea, but it was so hush-hush that I got zero information. I wanted to shout, “Spill the beans already!”, but I stayed quiet and remained patient. I finally got to throw my annoying patience out the window today as I wrapped my hands around a cup of the glowing orange Thai Tea!
While standing in line, I struggled between ordering the Thai Tea as a latte or Ice Blended. After a few seconds of cognitive dissonance, I happily ordered a small Thai Iced Tea Latte ($3.99) and topped it off with whip cream. Once the barista whipped it up, I was ready to see if the coffee shop could make it as good as my favorite Thai restaurants. First sip was good, second was better, third was even better, and the progression continued until my straw couldn’t find another drop. I liked this Thai tea because it was extremely smooth and creamy, but I should have asked for extra half and half (personal preference). Half and half is my favorite part of Thai tea, but the TCBTL balances the milk and tea to suite all palates. If you’re like me, and the cream is your favorite part, ask them to fatten it up and add extra half and half to boost the sweetness. If you like the drink for the earthy hints of the black tea, then leave it as they make it. The black tea spikes through the half and half and will easily please your taste buds.
As a whole, the drink tastes very similar to what you get from a Thai restaurant. If you don’t have the time or appetite for a full meal, TCBTL’s version is a great substation! The only difference is the ice. You may think, “What does ice have to do with the taste?” Answer: a lot. At TCBTL, they can put so much ice in the drink that it melts quickly when combined with the hot black tea. This ends up making the drink watery and dilutes the flavor. Ask them to make it with “easy ice” or to cut the ice in half and you’ll get to keep the great taste, and you’ll have extra room for more of the drink.
Want to get a Thai tea for yourself? Well, TCBTL has an exciting Spring Open House going on today! Walk into a participating SoCal/Arizona store from 2pm to 6pm and you can get a small Thai Tea beverage for only $2. That’s half off, people! Plus, the $2 offer extends to the brand new small Vanilla Rooibos latte and ice blended drinks!
Sounds like a win-win to me.
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Various Locations; Images featured here are from Pasadena location.
Address: 415 S Lake Ave #108, Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: Hours: Monday to Thursday – 5:30am to 10:00pm, Friday – 5:30am to 11:00pm, Saturday – 6:30am to 11:00pm, and Sunday – 6:30am to 10:00pm
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