Of tea, snow and pearls at Cha

Squeezed between a row of fastfood restaurants in Garapan, Cha is slowly but surely creating its own niche as a new hangout for the young and old alike.Since Cha opened last month, it has started to become a household word for specializing in tea and pearls.

Unlike regular tea houses, Cha is not big and spacious and does not have regular tables. Instead, it has a comfortable sofa and a couple of make-shift counters with bar stools. Quaint lanterns and artistic twigs adorn the walls.

I got the chance to check out the place on Friday night and was immediately drawn to the colorful menu board advertising the different tea and snow pearl flavors.
I chose pineapple snow while my companion ordered mango snow. Cha uses transparent plastic cups which are then vacuum sealed. Cha staffers also write the names of your orders on the cups, a personalized touch which I find artistic. The whirring sound of blenders entertains you as you wait for your order.
I am not a pearl shake fanatic but my pineapple snow was just perfect — not so sweet but super smooth and creamy. Sipping the black pearls from the bottom through the big straw was an added bonus. I returned the next day for another pineapple snow.
Cha has iced green or black tea for $3.50 and iced green or black milk tea for $3.75. These are Cha’s bestsellers. Jumbo size costs only 50 cents more.
For the pearl snows, other selections include lychee, strawberry, passion fruit, peach, cantaloupe and café sua da.
Cha also serves Rota sweet potato chips — flown directly from the island — as well as popcorn chicken.
Cha aims to offer only the best quality products and is staffed with young people.
Cha brews tea daily and makes sure it serves only clean, refreshing and tasty drinks. Pearls are added and you can taste the freshness and the difference.

Cha’s tea is very flavorful, thirst-quenching and light. The pearls are high-quality tapioca cooked every three hours with a secret infusion.
Next month, watch out for the newest item on the menu —frappuccino.
Cha has no plans of selling its pearls and shakes at the street market so you have to visit it to try its high-quality drinks and excellent customer services. Cha also gives out loyalty cards which allows you to have your 7th order for free.
Cha takes orders from businesses and parties. Just give it ample time to prepare the drinks. Cha is located in Garapan between Nami Restaurant and Bobby’s Cadillac. Only cash is accepted. It is open Sunday to Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For inquiries and reservations, call 233-2421.
First published at the Marianas Variety