Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: Find Your Flavor

One thing that old Lasallians from Taft can flex about their school, apart from the Power Mac Store inside the campus, was the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf café inside the library. For me, this wasn’t just a random coffee shop. It became part of my college life. I spent most of my break times in the library and my favorite spot was the computer section, which is conveniently located right beside the café.

CBTL has been a familiar name in the coffee scene, not just in the Philippines but also internationally. Founded in 1963 in Southern California, CBTL has grown into one of the most recognized coffee chains worldwide. It made its way to the Philippines in 2003 and quickly gained a loyal following due to its premium coffee, hand-plucked tea leaves and signature Ice Blended drinks. Now, the multinational brand is owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation. I hope it was for the better though.

Whether it’s for a quick caffeine fix, a stress-relieving snack, or even a late-night meal, this café has been part of many people’s routines, including mine.

Iced Latte

My sister swears by CBTL’s coffee, saying it stands out among mainstream coffee chains because of its high-quality beans. I wanted to experience that coffee quality firsthand, but since I’m not a hardcore black coffee drinker, I opted for their iced latte so I can still fully grasp the notes of the coffee bean with only the addition of milk. While it was smooth, I found it a bit too milky, almost masking the coffee itself. I also tried their Vanilla Latte the other time and its difference to the simple Iced Latte was noticeable.

African Sunrise Tea Latte

My introduction to hot tea lattes happened because of a Belle de Jour coupon, which required me to buy three to get a discount. That was way before the milk tea craze and I have BDJ to thank for making me appreciate this kind of drink. I tried the English Breakfast Tea Latte, Chai Tea Latte and African Sunrise Tea Latte. Unlike today’s overly sweet milk teas, these drinks kept their ingredients natural. The African Sunrise Tea Latte was the standout. It was incredibly fragrant, with honey, milk, and vanilla blending into a smooth, comforting sip.

Mocha Chip Ice Blended

If Starbucks has Java Chip, CBTL has Mocha Chip. But what sets it apart was its stronger coffee base. The chocolate chips gave texture but they felt more like coffee granules than chocolate chips. Is it really supposed to be that way? The ice was finely blended but became a bit watery at the bottom. The whipped cream was thick but not as smooth as expected. Starbuck’s Java Chip has a more generous amount of chocolate chips but they it has a lot more ice compared to this Mocha Chip. Still, it’s a solid choice if you’re looking for a bolder coffee-chocolate blend.

Caramel Iced Blended

I got more Ice Blended drinks thanks to another Belle de Jour coupon, which I used to treat my friends. This time, we had CBTL’s Caramel Ice Blended drinks along with another cup of Mocha Chip. While I usually lean more towards chocolate chip, I have to say that the caramel was better this time. Unlike the overly sweet versions from other coffee chains, this one struck the right balance. The caramel was rich but didn’t drown out the coffee flavor, which I truly appreciated. It was a great example of how coffee and caramel can complement each other without one overpowering the other.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie

Back in college, this was my go-to stress reliever. During break time, I frequently stay at The Learning Commons in DLSU where there is CBTL cafe inside the library. Studying here meant I had easy access to CBTL and this cookie was my constant companion during long study hours. It was bigger than my palm. It was not crispy though because of the size and gooeyness but that didn’t matter because the chewiness made it so addicting. Yes, it was undeniably sweet, but somehow, that sweetness melted away the stress.

Eggs Ben | Roast Beef

It was a midnight date for me and my then-boyfriend and we opted for these hearty breakfast meals. It’s a good thing their MOA branch was still open. Many complain about the runny eggs of the Eggs Ben. Maybe, it was made for me because I love runny eggs. It blended well with their tangy Hollandaise sauce and cheese. The Roast Beef, on the other hand, was simply heaven. The hoagie bread had the perfect balance of crunch and softness, while the roast beef itself was luscious and flavorful. I just wished it had more sauce, but the fresh tomatoes and lettuce helped add some moisture.

Four Cheese Pizza | Pepperoni Pizza

The Four Cheese Pizza had a uniform texture, making it hard to distinguish the different cheeses. It tasted a bit commercialized rather than authentically rich. Surprisingly, I preferred the Pepperoni Pizza, which had a distinct flavor profile. It even had a hint of Mexican spices. The crispiness of the crust and the toasted flavors added to its appeal. It reminded me of the taste of Piattos Pizza chips. Who knew that was possible? We also tried the Margherita Pizza, and the fresh tomatoes made all the difference. It had a very Italian vibe.

Ready-to-Drink Café Latte

During the pandemic, of course, we couldn’t easily visit CBTL or at least any coffee shops in Manila due to restrictions. So these canned drinks for convenience store was the nearest thing I could get from CBTL. I was curious if their bottled Café Latte would be as good as the freshly brewed version in-store. Surprisingly, it was just as smooth and milky but had a bolder flavor since it wasn’t diluted with ice. The description was spot on—smooth, sweet, and satisfying.