7 Leaves in Cypress - 5 Stars

Just recently I started working for an internship in Cypress, so a friend and I planned to meet at the local tea spot, 7 Leaves. As it is across the street from Cypress College, an abundance students can be found in here studying (or wasting time not studying). The vibe of the location is very peaceful, which can be seen by the many trinkets adorning the store, as well as the Gandhi quote on the wall.

The drink selection is broad, but not overwhelming, which is something I really respect about this shop. Their menu has an array of different coffees and teas, with add-ons like boba, at an affordable price (standard $3ish).

The really interesting thing about this spot is that you can actually mix drink flavors together to get a creative twist on your favorite drink. My friend had actually recommended that I try a drink combination, but I couldn't remember it by the time I ordered..so I was stuck with the basic half of the amazing drink that she allowed me to try, which was the Matcha Soy (with boba, of course). It was good, but it certainly was not what I had tried the week before.

Upon later investigation, I learned that it was a Matcha Soy with House Coffee that she had ordered. After beating myself up for what felt like half an hour, I accepted the fact that I just have bad memory. By that time, I had already finished my drink though.

Now the boba was really good! It had a nice, chewy consistency and also tasted of brown sugar rather than the usual honey that most boba shops create. I've also tried other drinks on the menu, and I can't say I've ever been disappointed (except for today of course, but that wasn't 7 Leaves' fault). I can't seem to find anything negative to say about it really, hence it's perfect 5-star rating.

The good news is that I work about five minutes from the Cypress 7 Leaves, so I can easily head back after work tomorrow. And that, I am very excited about.

Cafe Bing in Downtown Fullerton - 4 Stars

I had the pleasure of catching up with a couple of old friends this afternoon. She lives a little further away, so it pulled me out of my natural habitat and led me to Cafe Bing, a boba, coffee and tea parlor in Downtown Fullerton.

The shop itself was beautiful! The usual trendiness of boba shops could definitely be seen, as the walls were adorned with inspirational quotes and modern artwork. It had the atmosphere of the typical boba shop I would say.

The menu was extensive! This is a common quality of many boba shops, I have noticed, and it's awesome of course! However, as I am a very indecisive person, oftentimes I find myself staring at the menu for far too long, as the selection is so vast! That being said, the workers there were quick to make suggestions (not that I took their suggestions or anything, but it was nice to see that they tried to help).

I ordered a Rose Honey Milk Tea with MINI boba (which is actually MUCH BETTER than regular-sized boba in my opinion, because it is easier to manage and chew). The drink was very enjoyable! I had the option of mixing multiple flavors, which is perfect for someone like me who can't make up her mind about anything. The boba itself had a nice texture and chewy consistency, however it was not as sweet as I would have liked, which led to the loss of a single star. Other than that, though, I think that the shop definitely got it right as far as drink quality and store atmosphere.

I would probably come back to try some of the different drinks on the menu, and perhaps even their pudding and different jellies, all of which can be added to your drink as well! Stay tuned.

My boba obsession in a nutshell

If I had a dollar for every time I've ordered a boba milk tea from a hole in the wall boba place, I could probably own a boba franchise complete with various milk teas, coffee flavors, and popcorn chicken.

I lived with my dad for the duration of summer 2015, which brought me to Buena Park, California. Since I grew up in Long Beach, it was easy enough to dodge (or at least divert my attention from) the chewy marble-sized balls of tapioca, but upon moving to Buena Park, it was everywhere. Boba, milk tea, trendy atmosphere, and KIIS FM hits blasting on the speakers that overtake every boba shop I have ever seen.

It's not that it was my first time ever going to Buena Park that I tried boba, because I had definitely tried it before. But it was upon coming to Buena Park that I fell in love with boba.

I never thought it to be very much of a big deal because Long Beach is not the boba capital of the world. Buena Park, on the other hand, has more boba shops than liquor stores (something I would say is more characteristic of Long Beach).

But first I must clear the air on a common misconception. Boba is referring specifically to the small, honey-flavored tapioca balls that sit at the bottom of your drink, but the drink ITSELF can vary from milk tea, coffee, and everything in between. That being said, the term "boba" is often used to refer to any drink containing boba.

Now while boba can be found in many places, not many places have good boba. Boba quality is now something that I pride myself in that comes only with much practice and experience trying a variety of different boba (and, of course, being disappointed when boba shops don't live up to your standards).

Boba has become, for me, my time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the treat that is boba, whether that is an Almond Milk Tea, or a Vietnamese Iced Coffee.