Coffee has long been the country’s daily staple. It fuels mornings, anchors meetings, and defines much of our café culture. Ordering a latte or cold brew has become second nature, as much a social signal as it is a caffeine fix.

Now comes CHAGEE, a global tea powerhouse with more than 6,600 stores across Asia, making its Manila debut. The brand is betting that Filipinos are ready for a different kind of ritual. Instead of another shot of espresso, CHAGEE is pouring cups of tea that are built on heritage, innovation, and a growing global following.

Here’s why it believes tea can stand alongside coffee.

1. A Signature Drink That Tells a Story

CHAGEE’s BO·YA Jasmine Green Milk Tea isn’t a quick mix of powders. It begins in the mountains of Yunnan, where premium green tea leaves are handpicked. Those leaves are then layered with fresh jasmine blossoms, round after round, until the petals’ fragrance sinks deep into the leaves. The result is a drink with a floral body and smooth finish — one that feels crafted, not manufactured. 

2. Proof in the Numbers

Globally, BO·YA has already passed 600 million cups sold. That’s not just hype,  it’s proof that tea can become part of daily life the way coffee has. From Singapore to Bangkok, millions have already built habits around CHAGEE’s tea. Manila is simply the next chapter in that story.

3. A Café Experience with a Different Rhythm

Most coffee shops hum with the energy of productivity with laptops perennially open and conversations hurried. CHAGEE’s Tea Bars are designed to slow things down. Their minimalist design, warm tones, and thoughtful details create spaces where the pace shifts. Instead of grabbing a quick fix, customers are invited to sit, sip, and connect. It’s still café culture, but with tea at the center of it.

4. Innovation That Goes Beyond the Menu

CHAGEE isn’t only interested in drinks. It rethinks how cafés can serve communities. In January 2024, it opened a “silent store” in Hangzhou, China. Staffed by hearing‑impaired team members, the store provides accessible service options like sign‑language support and written menus. It shows that innovation in food and beverage goes beyond flavors, extending to how cafés can be spaces where everyone feels welcome.

5. A New Ritual Waiting to Take Root

Coffee has always been tied to ritual. Morning brews, afternoon pick-me-ups, late-night café study sessions. CHAGEE believes tea can be just as much a part of those moments. By combining heritage methods with strict quality controls, the brand ensures each cup is consistent, wherever it’s brewed. The goal is simple: to turn tea into an everyday habit Filipinos can lean on, much like coffee has been for decades.

The arrival of CHAGEE asks a simple but intriguing question: can tea claim the same space coffee has long occupied in Filipino culture? The answer may not come overnight, but with every carefully brewed cup, CHAGEE is inviting Manila to consider a new ritual.

From August 29 to 31, CHAGEE is celebrating its Manila launch with the Tear & Win promo. Large fresh milk tea orders could win prizes like iPhones, Jo Malone perfumes, exclusive merchandise, or even a Louis Vuitton Speedy bag. Special bundles will also be available.

📲 Follow @chagee.ph on Instagram for updates and launch details.