ChaYi in Binondo Brews Fresh Tea Perfection Under P200—A Game-Changer in the Milk Tea Craze

Indulge in the timeless elegance of Chinese tea at ChaYi. This new tea brand offers a unique and refreshing experience, combining traditional tea-making techniques with modern flavors.

What Does Chayi means? The Chinese words "cha" (tea) and "yi" (essence) are the origins of the term "chayi." By emphasizing their dedication to selling tea prepared with freshly brewed leaves, owner Winchell Tan hopes to change the narrative. Because tea is [heavily] ingrained in Chinese culture, only a small percentage of people in the Philippines are aware of what it is. [Among Filipinos], if you mention tea, everyone thinks [more of] milk tea." ChaYi wants to restore the focus on tea prepared properly, meaning without any shortcuts or instants.

ChaYi sources its premium teas from various regions in China, including Fujian Province. The menu features a diverse selection of teas, from the rich and flavorful Artisan Ceylon to the fragrant Oriental Jasmine and the unique Osmanthus and White Peach Oolongs.

In the Philippines, Cha Yi sells two distinctive teas: Pu'er, a chocolaty, earthy, and smooth tea with compact leaves, and Da Hong Pao, a well-liked Chinese tea with a roasted, earthy character.

Tell me about the menu and its price well, The suggested Peach Harmony (P155), which uses White Peach Oolong tea leaves, Spring Jasmine (P160), Autumn Osmanthus (P155), which uses Osmanthus Oolong tea leaves, Wuyi Rock Tea (P155), which uses Big Red Robe, and my personal favorite, the Yunnan Pu'er (P150), which uses Pu'er tea leaves, are the options for hot and iced lattes.

For a wintery treat, try ChaYi's Snowy Series. The Snowfall Latte and Floating Cloud Red Robe are both topped with sweet whipped cream and crushed pecans, adding a touch of sweetness and crunch to the classic latte experience.

The Snowfall Latte (P190) and the Floating Cloud Red Robe (P195) are the two cold beverages that make up the Snowy Series. These lattes are made with Artisan Ceylon and Big Red Robe, respectively, but they also have crushed nuts for a delicious crunch and sweet whipped cream on top.

Savor the authentic taste of Chinese tea with ChaYi's cold-brew offerings. The elegant glass bottles showcase the beautiful tea leaves as they steep, while the detachable strainer ensures a smooth and enjoyable drinking experience.

Choose their cold-brew tea, which comes in varieties including White Peach Oolong (P140), Oriental Jasmine (P140), and Big Red Robe (P140), if you want to enjoy the tea to the fullest without the milk reducing its astringency. You can see the tea leaves swimming inside the glass bottle in which these are served. Don't worry, you can still easily drink it because a detachable strainer is attached to the bottle's mouth. For those who want a more vibrant flavor, there is also the Lemon Red Tea (P150).

ChaYi offers customizable sweetness levels for all their drinks, using a natural rock sugar syrup. The tea shop focuses on the quality of its beverages, and while there's no food menu, Binondo offers plenty of dining options. ChaYi is open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM.

While currently exclusive to Lucky Chinatown Mall, ChaYi plans to expand its presence in Metro Manila. Additionally, the brand aims to offer its premium tea leaves for home brewing