The boba is very good! I had the mango cream and it was amazing. It also came very fast even though it was busy!

Been to their locations in Houston and Chicago multiple times now, Chicha San Chen is consistently tasty with their tea and the various drinks, boba and tarot balls! Love the freshly brewed tea and the fragrant smell every time you walk into the store. There is a tea tasting station and there is always samples of milk tea next to the cashier register. This location has some seating inside but it can get crowded during peak meal times. It is pricey considering the size of the drink (aboutn$8-10 per drink after tax depending on how much add-on too), but it really is the best in town so I will keep returning! read more

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What an amazing tea tasting experience as you enter the tea shop! Loved the "stand alone solo station" for the Introduction and process of the teas! It was a refreshing presentation about the teas, the tea leaves by texture and the varying green colors, aroma and fragrance, from roasted to light options, and the steeping temperature! Isabella was the presenter. She was amazing and allowed us to sample a few of the delicious premium teas! Isabella was professional and gentle in describing the teas! (There was a group ahead of us at the tea presentation station. Glad we waited! Well worth the learning and tasting experience)!! Metered parking and there's a self- pay parking lot nearby. read more

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Chicha is simply amazing everywhere and always so consistent. This is the one spot I'll get boba with tea instead of a milk tea because I want to get my value on just the tea. Located in Chicago Chinatown, this Chicha isn't super spacious, but has seating available. It can get a bit loud so not the best spot to do focused work, but can work in a pinch. Nice for conversation though! There's a tablet to order from immediately upon entering. Honey Osmanthus Oolong w/ Boba - lightly sweet and subtle, the combination just works so well. Osmanthus is lightly floral and sweet similar to a dollop of honey dissolved in hot liquid, so the two together feel like a multiplication. Plus it's aromatic and smooth, no need for any creaminess from milk. Boba is consistently QQ, bouncy, and coated with flavor from marination across all Chicha locations and that is no different here. read more

Chicha San Chen - Honey Osmanthus Oolong w/ Boba - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great spot to grab a drink after exploring Chinatown. I tried the Bubble Volcano, which has brown sugar milk tea with boba, and it was really good. Ordering is done through a kiosk so there's not much interaction with the staff. What makes this place stand out is that they brew the tea fresh right in front of you. One thing to keep in mind is that the bottom of the drink can be pretty hot at first, so make sure to mix it well before drinking. Overall it's definitely worth checking out because it offers something a little different. I'll definitely be back to try more flavors. They also give you a nice carrying bag that helps keep your drink cold if you're taking it to read more

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It is not soo busy here anymore so there is not a long wait. The workers are pretty quick anyways. I would recommend adding the taro balls in any drink. It tastes exactly like taro, nothing artificial tasting. The texture is also exactly like taro but with starch added. read more

Chicha San Chen - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So excited Chicha San Chen finally opened up in Chicago. We came by on a Saturday afternoon and luckily the wait wasn't too bad. There are 2 kiosks for ordering or you can order ahead of time on Chowbus or Fantuan (there is a $1 service fee). I got the Taro Milk Tea with Black Tea, Cream, Taro Ball, and Taro Paste. I really just wanted to try the taro paste but there was not an option for the taro milk tea without the taro balls. I still really enjoyed the drink though as the tea was able to shine through even with the taro and everything tasted really fresh. Loved the taro paste which was lightly sweetened and added more richness to the drink. I got it less sweet which was perfect for me. The taro balls didn't add much other than texture so next time I'll try to omit it. Overall great boba shop! It's just as good as the locations in California and love that they had free samples of their original bubble tea to try before you order! read more

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We stumbled upon this tea shop after dim sum with the family one day. Apparently it's the new hype in the area, and I can see why. This tea shop feels less like a bubble tea stop and more like a high-end tea experience. As soon as you walk in, the aroma of tea fills the air. The ambiance just feels noticeably more upscale than most tea shops we've visited -- very clean, very polished, highly organized, and professional. The first thing I noticed was how focused the staff were. Everyone wore uniforms and masks, and the whole operation felt like watching a well-oiled machine in action. There's a glass prep area where you can see the tea being made, along with a brewing machine that extracts the tea almost like watching coffee brew. The workers were incredibly concentrated -- even bending down to eye level to double-check orders. It almost felt like an assembly line with everyone moving in tandem-- it was fascinating to watch. One unique feature here is the tea bar located next to the cash register. You can sign up to join a queue for a live tea tasting with a tea host where they will let you choose the type of tea leaves, brew them right in front of you, and guide you through tasting. I was told the whole process takes about 20 minutes. I'm not sure if the tea leaves can be purchased separately, but the experience seems interesting. We didn't have time to try it during this visit, but it might be fun for those who have time and already waiting for their orders. You can expect a little wait time as each tea is brewed upon order. I did noticed a good amount of people waiting on this day so it shows the high traffic that this store gets on a Sunday afternoon. Along the tea-tasting wall, they display information about how their tea leaves are harvested from the high elevations of Lishan Mountain (over 2000 meters). Supposedly the altitude gives the tea a distinct flavor, which I can imagine tea enthusiasts and aficionados would really appreciate. When I spoke to one of the staff members at the register, he mentioned the café had only been open for under a month. Even so, there was already a long line of customers waiting to order, and both ordering kiosks were busy. You can also place your order at the kiosk and then pick it up at the counter once it's ready. Their packaging also deserves a mention. The cups are labeled neatly, tied with a decorative string that doubles as a handle for the cup, and even the straws have customized branding. Definitely an A+ for presentation and marketing. They also offer complimentary milk tea samples near the register. After trying one, my husband decided to order drinks for himself (and for me to have a sip) and his mom. It came out to be $18.44 for two bubble milk teas. My husband ordered the iced version, while his mom opted for the hot milk tea since she prefers warm drinks. The boba was surprisingly very soft and glutinous. The staff member was very helpful in explaining the sugar level of the sample. You can customize sugar levels, and he chose the "perfect sugar" option for both. He really enjoyed the drink and said he could clearly smell the aroma of the tea leaves. As far as sizes go, they seem to only have a small size at about closer to $9 base-price on the menu. The price point can feel a bit steep compared to other tea shops, and you may get slightly less volume, but the focus here seems to be on quality. If you customize your drink, you can choose your tea base for $6 and add additional flavors for $1.25 each or toppings for $1 each. I noticed familiar toppings like coconut jelly and grass jelly, but also some I haven't tried yet such as taro balls and konjac (maybe next time). Overall, this is a really interesting tea shop worth checking out. I personally don't drink a lot of tea because I'm sensitive to caffeine, but I'd still be curious to try some of their other menu items like the "Bubble Volcano" or the "Taro Fresh Milk" drinks. I appreciate that they have options beyond traditional tea. I had already grabbed a smoothie from another shop earlier that day, so I didn't order a drink for myself this visit, but I'd definitely be open to trying one next time I return to ChiCha San Chen with our family. Tip: One downside is that the shop doesn't have public restrooms, though many of the small cafés in Chinatown Square are similar. Still, it would be a nice addition if they eventually added one. read more

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Chicha San Chen finally landed in Chicago. Before trying the Chicago spot, I just visited San Francisco store 4 months ago. I ordered the exactly the same flavor - Taro Milk Tea, light sugar, ice free" and it tasted exactly the same. Really impressed by their quality control. I also ordered "Passion Fruit High Mountain Pouchong Tea, light sugar, less ice" and this is a must-try for its great and refreshing combination with tea and fruit! read more

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Words cannot express how incredibly excited I am that CHICHA San Chen has finally landed in Chicago. This is my all-time favorite bubble tea chain so I had astronomic expectations but I'm delighted to say I was not disappointed. At this point, I've been a few times since they opened and my drinks have always been on point. Note that during peak hours, there will almost definitely be a wait and there's very limited seating but don't let that stop you - it's worth it! Sometimes they even provide tea samples. I'm a milk tea fiend so naturally I need to try all the varieties they offer. The only official "milk tea" on the menu is the classic bubble milk tea (with black tea) BUT you can choose any tea base and add creamer to make any tea a milk tea so the sky is the limit! So far I've done that with their green tea and dong ding oolong tea - both phenomenal with a strong tea flavor, just the way I like it. I do believe the creamer has dairy though so might want to pop that lactaid if you're lactose-intolerant. It also goes without saying that the tapioca pearls are perfect: bouncy, sweet...doesn't get better. Tons of other toppings to choose from as well but I can't vouch for them because I'm basic and always stick with the boba. Tip: you can order at the counter in person if the kiosks have long lines! read more

Chicha San Chen - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Have never set foot in the previous milk tea shop at this location before Chicha San Chen. Very happy about the takeover as the shop had gotten a complete facelift and is thriving more than ever before. Their packaging is superb and tea flavors are delicate and pleasant. I have dropped by twice in a week and loved both experiences. Give them a try today. read more

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This was a nice change from all the other boba shops. It felt clean and chic. Loved the decor and to go packaging for the drinks. You order on a kiosk. It was busy. Drink was fresh and delicious. The bubble volcano is a brown sugar boba read more

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I was impressed with my first time having chincha San Chen in Chicago. The first time I had it was 2024 in Montreal. I picked the osmathus oolong tea And it was delicious.... Not too strong the tea flavor very light read more

Chicha San Chen - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Got the creamy mango tart drink and it was a bit sweet for my taste. It didn't have an option to adjust sweetness on the kiosk either. The cream topping was good though. The wait this time felt a bit long. Noticed they have a station with their original milk tea you can pour for yourself to sample. It was really nice, I'll probably get that next time. read more

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We ordered: 1. Taro Milk Tea - black tea, cream, taro paste, taro balls 2. Dong Ding Oolong Tea Latte 3. Creamy Mango Tart - high mountain pouchong tea w/ mango and mousse 4. Green Tea w/ mousse My favorite international boba chain from Taiwan, I like to get Chicha when I find it in other cities. The first three we ordered are my go-to drinks and they were consistent. I highly recommend the taro Milk Tea because it uses fresh taro paste and balls that you won't find elsewhere. Tea topped with cream, like #3 and 4, you should drink straight through the layers; do not mix! Mango Tart is so refreshing and the green tea by itself is fragrant. Tea drinks are brewed to order so expect a little longer wait time. Staff were friendly and helpful. Small number of seating inside for small groups. read more

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Yesss!! I was so happy to know that Chicago was finally getting a Chicha San Chen location. Our drinks were phenomenal! Strong tea flavor, soft and fresh boba, and great cream. My personal favorite is the Dong Ding Oolong Tea with mousse! I'd recommend light sweetness if you're usually a 20-30% sugar drinker. Only cons I have are that 1) it's located in Chinatown so parking can be tough and 2) drinks are quite pricey ~$9- however, the quality is superb so if I'm craving a yummy treat this is justified in my books... read more

Chicha San Chen - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The perfect addition to the Chicago Boba scene. This brand needs no introduction to boba lovers across the world. I think it's won some pretty prestigious awards including a Michelin star. The flavor profile of their drinks is definitely an ode to Taiwanese boba milk tea. I heard of crazy lines over the weekend even in the blistering snow storms so I came right around opening 11 am on a Wednesday morning and was shocked to see there was no wait at all besides a few people ahead of me who had ordered first. For me, the standout was the taro milk tea. Very few places, especially in Chicago do the taro balls with the paste as authentic as this. The bubble milk tea is probably as authentic as it gets in this city as well to what you would get in Taiwan. The honey osmanthus was not my tea, tasted a bit watered down. I think they might do milk tea drinks a little better than their fruit teas. The quality and taste is premium, but expect to pay premium prices ~$10 per drink after tax is what you're likely going to fork up here. Probably not a place you would go for your daily caffeine fix anyway. Will definitely be back to try other things on their menu! read more

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I am thrilled that Chicago now has this place. I tried their drink before in Toronto. It was so good. I went on a Friday morning, so it wasn't busy at all. They have two kiosks close to the entrance. You can also order at the register. The place was not big. It had a few tables. I ordered the Taro Milk Tea. It has taro paste, taro ball, cream, and black tea. I really like this drink because they have taro paste and taro balls that you can't find in other bubble tea places. I also ordered less sugar and no ice. For me, it was just right since it is cold outside. The sweetness is also right for me, not too sweet at all. The price is a little high for the small cup. It is almost like $10 for a drink. It is worth it to try if you are in the area. I saw some reviews mentioning that they had a tea tasting. I didn't see any when I was there. For sure, I would be back to try their other drinks. read more

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Great tea. Service too. The bench you can sit on looks very wet from whatever glazing they put on it. Personally wouldn't order the brown sugar one again, because they do specialize in tea. I would probably stick to ordering oolong/black tea drinks here. read more

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Service was good. They had one free sample drink & that was really good! Aroma & flavors were so gorgeous. I liked the service, they were answering a lot of questions that I had regarding their drinks. Their signature bubble milk tea was average, nothing spectacular about it truthfully. You taste more tea fhan a regular tea. 3/5 I got their fruit tea and that was super refreshing, fresh, and delicious. Highly recommend it! 5/5 Giving it a 4/5 bc I liked the fruit tea and not the milk tea. read more

Chicha San Chen - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Service speed is very fast for a fresh brew tea with the special high pressure tea extraction. However I felt my osmanthus oolong tea was a bit astringent without much of strong osmanthus floral flavor. The mousse foam also tasted too sweet and artificial rather than cheesy and salty. It didn't pair well with the osmanthus oolong. I also got the taro pearls but found some were a bit chalky/lumpy. The cassia cream was my least favorite. The cream per staff is made via a non diary powder to thicken the tea and make it creamier. Vs the milk tea is fresh milk added to tea. However the cream version has a soy milk aftertaste and was a bit gritty, you could probably tell it was powder based. Couldn't really taste the tea flavors either. The lemon tart was quite surprising. Strong lemon flavor, almost like a sweet lemon bar or a sugary lemonade with whip cream. This would be very refreshing in the summer and it's not too heavy even with the mousse, but you can't adjust the sweetness so a couple of sips and it might be too much. I might try their teas alone or just buy their tea leaves to brew at home but not quite a fan of their milk base options so far. I feel like I've tried better milk teas that preserve or enhance the flavor of the teas better. read more

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I'm usually not a huge fan of boba drinks... but I absolutely loved the taro milk tea with taro paste and taro balls! It was flavorful, fresh, and just the right amount of sweetness. I love how you can see all the workers making the drinks, so you can tell it's actual high quality ingredients versus just powder. The honey osmanthus drink was very good as well since it tasted very refreshing and had a hint of sweetness; you could really taste the tea flavor in it with a hint of honey. The ambiance was very clean and aesthetically pleasing. There's two kiosk to order from, but you could also order at the counter. I love the presentation of the drinks as well since you get a little string to carry it. read more

Chicha San Chen - Menu - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I've been to several Chicha's in the country and they have the best boba. Got the dong ding with cream + boba. The boba is still one of the best I've ever had. Perfect texture and super chewy, easily the highlight 9.8/10. The drink itself wasn't as amazing as I remembered, but still solid overall 7.5/10. It was super packed when I went, but drinks came out pretty fast which I liked. Ordering is through a kiosk, and they even had a sample station with black tea and cream near the front which was actually really good. read more

Chicha San Chen - Dong ding oolong + cream and boba - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So hype this came to Chinatown. Insanely popular internationally. Absolutely loved my drink, and they were really quick to make both drinks. Very organized, with two ordering kiosks, front staff for ordering, and numbers displayed on screen. I heard there's tea tastings as well but they weren't doing it later in the day. Have to come back to try that and many more drinks on the menu. Favorite tea I've had so far in Chinatown. Personally love it more than Molly Tea. read more

Chicha San Chen - Milk tea, creamy lemon tart - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We've been to other locations, so we knew their tea would be good -- the bar is set pretty high, and this location definitely met expectations. We ordered the iced osmanthus tea with cream top and taro balls (no sugar) and an iced oolong tea with boba (no sugar). Both were delicious, and we really appreciate that the tea is freshly brewed. The taro balls are especially addictive to chew on -- so good! Service i would say was fast, given how many orders and people were in the shop. read more

Never thought I'd pay nearly $10 for boba but unfortunately I will do it again because their drinks are delicious. I got their creamy mango tart and it was so refreshing and I loved the cold foam on top. My friend's milk tea was delicious as well and the taro balls were cooked perfectly. Service was pretty fast and friendly too. read more

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So so excited for this awarded tea shop to open here in Chicago! They're a taiwan tea brand with top quality tea extract using espresso machine and they make every single drink per order and it comes out tasty,flavorful, just amazing. They also have some really tasty topping and the boba is so bouncing and good. My favorite is the taro boba with taro paste and the milk tea boba. read more

Fave boba shop in Chicago!!! When I lived in the Bay Area I always wanted to try this place but the line was always out the door even months after their opening. I'm so glad I was able to try it after moving here! Definitely always super packed but I usually never wait move than 15 minutes for my drinks. The store itself is pretty small so it gets super crowded, a few times there has been no walk room. There is no guidance on where the line for self-checkout starts so it gets a bit confusing when people are just standing by the line while waiting for their drinks. There are so many different types of tea options! They offer samples of their tea, freshly brewed as well. The taro ball toppings are my favorite! They are super soft and chewy. All the drinks I've tried so far I get light sweetness and they have been perfect! My partner's favorite is their Dong Ding Oolong Tea series! We much rather prefer this to other places that do the roasted oolong. Excited to try their other drinks on our future visits! read more

Chicha San Chen - Taro ball tea latte & honey osmanthus oolong tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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First time here and the hype is real. Imagine a Starbucks but for tea. They have these sessions for tea tasting and the "tea-rista" as I call them explain the differences in the taste. I ordered bubble milk tea with perfect sugar and easy ice. It was smooth and not overly sweet. The tea taste was subtle but yet aromatic. Highly recommend if you're in the Chinatown area! read more

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I LOVE THIS PLACE. Like... favorite boba spot in THE WORLD and I'm not exaggerating. I first had it in Singapore, then California and New York - so when I found out Chicago was getting one, I RAN and told everyone. I literally drove there during a winter storm and it was 100% worth it. Got a hot fruit tea with fresh fruit and freshly brewed tea - literal perfection as it was well balanced and not too sweet. Just flawless. It's right in the heart of Chinatown and I'm telling you, you need to go. read more

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I went on the soft opening and it was very crowded. However, the employees are still attentive and polite. They had free samples of their milk tea and a separate free tea demo where we chose our own tea strength and try it then and there. It was a nice way to spend our time while waiting in the long queue for our drinks. I got the classic fruit tea and the taro ball green tea. The fruit tea had a lack of tea flavor but the drink itself is still good and not too sour. The taro balls for the green tea were delicious and chewy. I would prefer the taro ball drink over the fruit tea. read more

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As soon as you walk in the space feels clean. My daughter had a fancy for some boba tea. We had never been here before but it got good reviews. She ordered the Taro milk tea. She wasn't pleased with the results. I tasted it and it had debris in it that was unexpected. The flavor was fine, and the to go container was unique. I will probably try a different drink but I doubt I can convince my daughter to try it again. read more

Ordered the bubble milk tea on Fantuan and was really excited for this because I enjoyed the Chicha in Philly as well as NY but this didn't hit what I was expecting. The flavor felt strangely different but at least there was good tea flavor. Overall, quite disappointed since the cream didn't taste/feel like cream. The service was super fast even with the amount of people so maybe I just got a bit unlucky. read more

Stopped here for tea after lunch. The place was packed. I asked the staff if the tea was GF. They said some were. I picked out a green tea passion fruit drink and they said it was GF. I ordered it with less sugar and ice. It was really good and still sweet enough. The order came out very fast. While we were sitting there, they offered us a free oolong tea tasting which would take around 10 mins. We opted not too but would love to try in the future. read more

PROS - When the boba is actually fresh (made to order), it's phenomenal. Out of the multiple times I've been here, it's only been that way the first time - Can only recommend this place when it's SO PACKED, that you know the boba must be fresh CONS - Extremely inconsistent boba & getting worse over time. To satisfy demand, they prioritized speed over quality. The first time I went, it was slow, but the boba was fresh and amazing. Now, they pre-make the boba, it's sitting out in tubs, it is harder and not super soft/chewy - They hire just any worker to prioritize speed. It's not michelin quality (highly consistent at a high level). I've had almost every drink on the menu multiple times, and they keep getting worse over time - No restrooms read more

I can't express how happy I am for this place to exist in Chicago now!! It's been on my boba radar for my West Coast travels but now I don't have to travel so far for it!! Quite pricey for a regular sized drink (~$10) BUT SO DELICIOUS. I got the Taro Milk Tea (Black Tea+Cream+Taro Ball+Taro Paste) and loved it! The taro paste had authentic taro. The tea tasted freshly brewed. I absolutely love taro balls as a topping and there are very, very few boba shops in Chicago that have it, and the ones that do don't quite get it right (usually they taste a bit bland/watery and takes a while for the milk tea flavor to soak into it). Chicha's taro balls are the best I've had!! Super chewy, tasty and enhances the drink. Will be trying the Taro Fresh Milk and Taro Ball Tea Latte next! It was quite packed when I went on a cold, snowy day, but didn't really have to wait long for my drink! (Felt similar to Molly's Tea in terms of how packed it is and wait time). Appreciated the free samples of the cream black tea they had. There's also some space to lounge, chat, or even do some work, like a coffee shop. Hope they open up more locations in the city!! read more

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Can definitely understand the hype. I tried both the bubble milk tea and creamy lemon tart and fell in love with both. The bubble milk tea had a nice fragrant flavor and the pearls were bouncy and chewy. The creamy lemon tart was perfectly sweet and I could myself craving it more once the weather gets warmer. So worth the visit! The wait was a bit long as they recently opened but the line moves fast. read more

San Chen is high quality tea/milk tea where you'll feel your heart pumping. The tea is high quality and each cup are made upon order. Not super sweet so if you prefer sweet, get 100%. Passion Fruit Green Tea 9/10 Original Milk Tea 9/10 I made a mistake and drank this later at night and couldn't sleep. read more

Can't say enough good thing about this chain. Is it a bit more expensive, yes, but at least it's always consistent and good. Amazing service from the staff and great ambiance as well. To me, it's worth the slight premium, my absolute go to place in Chicago Chinatown now! read more

Wanted to check out this new tea spot in Chinatown Square and am blown away by the service provided by Isabella. She was so knowledgeable and hit on all the talking points when she did her tea demonstration. From 6 minutes steeping, 3 seconds in the mouth and describing the flavors. Isabella is truly a gem and she is definitely a keeper. Not going to gate keep about this place....go check it out!!! read more