YOYO Bubble Tea

http://yoyosnack.com/
1812 2nd avenue
(b/t 94th & 93rd St.)
New York, NY 10128

This brand new spot may not have the best bubble tea, but it is not the worst.

What I ordered: taro milk green tea

• Taste: not too sweet, light taro flavor that doesn't mask the nice jasmine green tea taste
• Boba: nice texture and chewiness, but with a rather plain taste
• Price: $3.50 for Med, $3.99 for Large plus tax

Newly opened last weekend, this is easily the closest bubble tea to my apartment. The second avenue construction makes it nearly impossible to get to, but I am glad I have a bubble tea option closer to me. When I first stepped in to YoYo it was very hot inside and smelled like Chinese take-out, to be honest I wasn't expecting much. Especially since there are barely any bubble tea places within 50 blocks. YoYo doesn't have much competition in the area to make it better. I was surprised that the bubble tea was not terrible.

They have a weird menu where only certain flavors are listed under certain teas. However, I imagine you can get any flavor with any tea if you like. They use powders and syrups for their flavoring. I think they also use powder creamer for their milk-based bubble teas. The bubble tea  I got had a sort of film from powder that wasn't fully dissolved, as you can see in the photo. But this didn't inhibit the flavor, which was actually quite nice. I loved that I could actually taste the green tea. The boba was of a good consistency but they didn't have any flavor or sweetness which I like.

YoYo also has a variety of dumpling and Chinese take-out foods. It is fairly average though and doesn't standout from better shops in other NYC neighborhoods, such as Chinatown. YoYo definitely has room for improvement if it wants to be one of the best.

3 out of 5 Bubbles

Argo Tea

http://www.argotea.com/

Locations in New York, Chicago, Boston, and St. Louis.

This tea-centric chain cafe is the answer to my dreams. With a market dominated by Starbucks' mediocre coffee, it is nice to see something new and different. I am a big fan of Argo's concept. They offer a large menu of signature tea beverages along with standard teas and coffees. They even sell a wide variety of loose-leaf teas, tea pots, and accessories. I love their tea wall where you can easily view and select any loose-leaf teas you would like to buy.

Loose-leaf Tea Dispensers

The Menu:
Their wide variety of tea-based drinks is hugely creative and tempting. There are so many drinks I want to try. They also offer BUBBLE TEA! I suggest checking out their entire signature drink menu.

Argo's Bubble Tea:
Their bubble tea isn't bad. It is very standard milk tea and they don't  have many flavor options. Primarily coconut, mango, and raspberry, but you can also get  the regular syrup flavors such as vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, etc. Argo's bubble tea is only available with nata de coco jelly, no boba. I must ask the question, can this really be called bubble tea without having boba as an opton? I guess I can forgive this since they don't focus on bubble tea and their jellys are healthier and delicious.

What I got: coconut green milk tea

• Taste: slightly sweet coconut flavor, not overpowering the great tea taste.
• Jellys: firm and chewy, slightly sweet and coconutty
• Price: small 16oz. $3.76 including tax

I also tried the mango flavor with black tea. I didn't like the mango flavoring. I didn't taste anything like the real fruit. There are just some flavors of fruit that don't translate well into powders for bubble tea. I usually only get mango if I know real fruit is used. Otherwise the flavor is always disappointing.

I give Argo's bubble tea a 4 out of 5 bubbles but only for flavors other than mango.

Other Notes:
I also tried the a vanilla and green tea Teappuccino. While I don't like the name, (I feel like a moron trying to say it) it was a great mix of tea and milk without being too sweet. It was more a latte than a cappuccino. It was good, but I got a small and it was $3.76. I can get almost the same kind of drink at Panya on Stuyvesant for cheaper.

One thing I didn't really like about Argo Tea was their fixed pricing for the entire signature drink menu. All small drinks are $3.76 regardless of the type of drink or difficulty to make. I wish they had some cheaper options. Some of their names are also a bit cheesy. Additionally, I was a little disappointed that they didn't have free WiFi.

Despite these issues I still want to try more of their signature drinks like the Mojitea, Tea Sparkle, and Tea Sangria. I will definitely be back to try more of their tea creations especially since I dislike other chains. I recommend Argo Tea to all tea lovers or for anyone unsatisfied with tea options at other chains.

Prelim Juice

I recently went back to Ithaca, NY to visit my old stomping grounds and I thought this would be a great opportunity to talk about the excellent coffee options in Ithaca.

Stella's 
403 College Ave., Collegetown

Iced Hawaiian Latte

I have nothing bad to say about Stella's. They have a very inventive coffee and tea menu with the best names ever. Take for instance the Obama: a mix of dark and white mocha with macadamia nut syrup. Pure genius.

Their prices are very reasonable especially for the level of quality and craftsmanship that goes into every drink. In fact their menu is too good. I can never decide on just one thing to get. It is best to got with a friend so you can both try something. I have always been a fan of their classic cappuccinos. I love the many designs the baristas create with the steamed milk.

On my most recent visit, I tried an Iced Hawaiian Latte of course. This was a unique creation of iced coffee with macadamia nut syrup and frothed milk with red Hawaiian sea salt. This drink was so fun, creative, and the perfect thing on a gorgeous Ithaca day.

Don't forget to use their stamp card because you will be coming back.

I also highly recommend Stella's food and cocktail menu. You will never be dissatisfied. Try the Truffle Parmesan fries. They are great with any drink. My fave though is the Lavender Lady, a mix of vodka, lemon juice, and lavender syrup. So Good!


Manndible Cafe 
Mann Library, Cornell University

If you're on Cornell's campus, then the best cafe to visit is Manndible in the Ag Quad. Their coffee is much better than other campus-run cafes which usually serve Seattle's Best coffee. Manndible is all about sustainability. They do all their own composting and have many vegetarian and vegan options. They have great coffee and tea for the student on the run. I suggest bringing your own mug because then you get a discount. Also don't forget their stamp card.


Gimme! Coffee 
If you spend a significant amount of time in Ithaca you will learn about Gimme. They provide great coffee to several cafes in the area and they have three of their own cafes in Ithaca and a few in NYC. Here are their many locations.


Temple of Zeus 
Goldwin Smith Hall, Cornell University
This is my favorite place in the Arts Quad. They have Gimme! coffee along with the best soups you have ever had. I used to come here almost everyday during my undergrad. The coffee and soup is very cheap and you get a discount if you bring your own mug or bowl. SUPER!


Collegetown Bagels & Ithaca Bakery
There are several locations of this Ithaca establishment. Although I think there are better cafes to get coffee, this place made the list because it is a staple for Cornell students and Ithaca residents. They have the best bagels in town, great pastries, and delicious sandwiches. Their Collegetown location is a particular hotspot for Cornellians. On any given day you will run into someone you know sitting outside sipping sangria or waiting in line for their order.

To all the past, present, and future Cornellians ENJOY!

The Old Teahouse

407 Eddy St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
http://oldteahouse.com/

The Old Teahouse has a newly opened Collegetown location (next to Dunbar's) around the corner from its old place.

What I ordered: passion fruit green tea with passion fruit jelly and boba.

• Taste: great sweet fruit flavor
• Boba and Jelly: sweet with great textures
• Price: small $3.25 + .25 for extra jelly = $3.50

The Old Teahouse is easily the best bubble tea in Ithaca. When I was a freshman at Cornell I learned very quickly that there weren't many bubble tea options. The Old Teahouse was never bad bubble tea but it was somewhat mediocre compared to places in bigger cities.

It relies exclusively on syrups and powders for flavoring, so you can't find real fruit bobas here. They primarily offer different flavored milk and fruit teas, smoothies, and slushes.

Their tapioca balls were generally average tasting with not much flavor. However, with their reopening in a bigger location I found that the also improved their boba. There was a good balance of softness and chewiness. The boba also had a nice sweet taste that it was missing before.

The prices are also relatively low with ice blended bobas at $4.00

The Old Teahouse's new location now has tables and lots of seating areas. You can actually stay and study here without taking up half the store. This is a huge improvement on their part. More people can actually hangout and buy bubble tea. The Old Teahouse also offers waffles too fyi.

While this may not be the best bubble tea in the world, you have to come here if you're in Ithaca.

3.5 out of 5 Bubbles

TEA for ALL

This post is all about Loose-Leaf Tea...

Being environmentally conscious and on the eternal quest for the best cup of tea, I started buying loose-leaf tea a few years ago. I drink a cup of tea almost every single day, so using regular packaged tea bags creates a lot of waste. When using loose-leaf tea the only rubbish generated is plant matter, not tea bags, paper, or string.

Transitioning to loose-leaf tea is very easy and I find the quality to be much better than prepackaged tea. Additionally, when you buy loose-leaf tea you can usually see the individual tea leaves, smell them, and learn about where they came from.

In order to use loose-leaf tea, you need a tea ball or tea cup with tea strainer.

Tea Ball

Teapot with strainer

I bought my tea ball from Disney World, but you can find them at any basic kitchen supply store. They are not hard to find and they come in a variety of designs and materials. I've seen ones made of bamboo and even silicon. I would recommend buying one with a chain or some kind of leash that allows you to pull it out of a cup of tea. Teapots with strainers also come in a variety of designs, sizes, and materials.

Here's how tea balls work:

Opened tea ball with tea ball holder

Fill tea ball with desired tea

Close tea ball, place in mug or tea cup and enjoy

Places to get loose-leaf tea:

In NYC the best places are in Chinatown. There are other places throughout Manhattan but they tend to be fancy establishments that are more about luxury. Here are two awesome places to find loose-leaf tea in the city.

Sun's Organic Garden

79 Bayard Street

New York, NY 10013

I recently discovered this tiny shop. It's walls are stocked floor to ceiling with jars full of every variety of tea you can imagine. There are also many herbs and spices here. The tea lady is super helpful and knows everything about tea. There are a variety of quality levels and prices to choose from. You can easily find something you'll love. They also offer bubble tea here, but I found it to be watery. You're better off just coming here for the loose-leaf tea.

Here are my two most recent purchases:

Jasmine and Rose Green Tea

Snow White (Jasmine White Tea)

New Kam Man Market

200 Canal Street

New York, NY 10079

Also located in Chinatown, this three floor shopping market is a must. I dare you to go inside without buying anything. The tea section is located on the basement level. You can buy individual tins of loose-leaf tea or you can purchase an assortment of teas by the ounce from jars. There is less of a variety than at Sun's, but New Kam Man carries all the most popular types. The main floor of this market is where you can find a vast assortment of Asian snacks and grocery items. I love to come here for their selection of Japanese snacks. The top floor is basically a Sanrio store. You can find all things Hello Kitty as well as other popular characters, Japanese chotchkies, and beauty products.

I'd also like to recommend Lupicia Fresh Tea in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

Ala Moana Shopping Center

1450 Ala Moana Blvd.

Honolulu, HI 96814

On the bottom level of Ala Moana, this tea shop has such a great selection. All the teas are stored in boxes on the shop walls and there are samples of each tea on the counters. Lupicia also often has free taste samples of their featured products. The staff here is very helpful and knowledgeable. This is a great store for tea accessories as well. Lupicia also has two other US locations in California.

Additional Note:
I have the same philosophy when I drink coffee. I use a Bodum french press and a Primula Express stove top espresso maker.

Stove Top Espresso Maker

Bodum French Press

You don't need to use coffee filters as with coffee makers. All you need is coffee grounds and water. I also don't like keurig coffee makers or other related brands. These generate much more waste as you use a plastic k-cup for each cup of coffee.

French presses and stove top espresso makers are very easy to use and make great coffee fast. They are also much cheaper than coffee makers and less likely to break. There are several brands, sizes, styles, and colors to choose from. You just have to add coffee grounds and water.

Hope you enjoy these tips!

Vivi Bubble Tea

49 Bayard Street
New York, NY 10013
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vivi-bubble-tea-new-york

Super kawaii shop tucked away in the heart of Chinatown.

There is a large Homer Simpson figure outside, so you can't miss it!

Today I ordered: Grapefruit Pulp Tea with bubbles

• Taste: real ruby red grapefruit flavor, even pulp inside! Good balance of sweet citrus flavor and tea.
• Boba: very nice, slightly sweet with the right amount of chewiness.
• Price: small-16oz. $3.50, large-20oz. $4.50 (Today there was a special deal for the large size at the price of the small!)

Hands down, my favorite bubble tea shop in NYC. Super cute store, with plenty of options, and great prices. There is just so much I love about this place.

The Menu:
Lots of great milk tea, fruit tea, yogurt drink, and slush flavors. Vivi also has several boba options including: tapioca, pudding, lemon jelly, herb jelly, and azuki (red bean). They even offer a few snack items such as popcorn chicken, takoyaki, and corn dogs.

The Prices:
All of their regular drinks are only $3 for a small and $4 for a large. I got one of their specialty drinks, which are only a little more.This is such a great price for NYC. Plus Vivi has a great stamp card. You only need 5 stamps to get a free bubble tea. (Success, today I got my 5th stamp!) Additionally, when you fill your stamp card you become a VIP customer. This entitles you to a 20% discount! Whaaaaat? Amazing, I know. This has to be the best bubble tea deal in the city.

The Store:
How can you not love this place. There is a life-size Homer Simpson figure outside! How crazy is that? All their menus and posters are very eye-catching. Vivi's cute skull mascot is adorable. I love the many different faces. All of the employees are dressed so cute too. I love their hats and pink aprons. Even though there are many other bubble tea shops in Chinatown, Vivi is definitely my favorite.

My recommendations:
Vivi's passion fruit slush is the best I've ever had. They put in some of the seeds, which is awesome. (If you've ever eaten fresh passion fruit then you know what I mean.) Their basic green and black milk teas are also great.

5 out of 5 Bubbles

Update:
Vivi no longer has their stamp card. Booo.

Coffee Break

Sorry its been so long since my last post. The first draft of my thesis is due in less than 2 weeks!! So I haven't had much time for bubble tea unfortunately :( ...but I have been drinking a lot of coffee.

As a grad student living in NYC, cheap good coffee is a must. I'm not talking about Starbucks, I'm talking about REAL coffee that is actually good. I have spent several of my formative years working as a barista. So I have had a lot of bad coffee and a lot of good coffee. More importantly I know what I like.

The best tip is to stay away from chains, especially ones where you can't even find out where your coffee beans are coming from. In fact the only one of these chains which I approve of is the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Although this chain can only be found on the West Coast or Hawaii, they have a huge selection of coffee and teas. You can even decide what region of the world you would like your coffee from.

Here are a few places I have found in NYC:

The Mud Truck
Outside of the uptown Astor Place subway stop, you can often find a bright orange truck. They have good strong coffee that is great for you if you're on the run. They also have a store location in the East Village.

Ground Support Cafe
In the heart of SoHo this is a small cafe with reasonable prices that even I can afford. They also have a food menu.

Choux Factory
This place is near where I live in the Yorkville neighborhood in the UES. They serve Kona coffee here which is in my opinion one of the best. They also have excellent Choux pastries, breakfast food, and sandwiches. While their food is not as good as their coffee, I don't know where else in NYC to find Kona coffee.

Panya
This place is my absolute favorite in NYC. It is a Japanese Bakery that has amazing pastries and onigiri. I have actually never had their coffee here because they have so many other tea based drinks. I recommend the green tea latte, Thai tea, or yuzu tea.

Hopefully I'll have more soon...

UPDATE:
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf now has locations in NYC. Although the ones in NY I found of lesser quality than the ones I've been to in Hawaii. They didn't have as many options and the prices were much higher. Also the NYC customer service is inferior. Why has NY ruined an excellent chain?! Don't let the Coffee Bean's NYC locations taint your impression of this chain, try it on the West Coast, but hopefully their new locations will improve.