All signs says that the dog days are far from over. Sweat will trickle down your back and face as you venture out on the busy streets of Manila, the pavements will still sear the soles of your shoes, the days will still be scorching and sticky.

Good for young people, they have one thing to turn to as they scuffle through the day’s sweltering heat – milk tea!

Many point to Taiwan as the source for the very popular Milk tea. Eventually it gained its popularity after it was featured in a Japanese show.

The Students and Campuses Bulletin team lists down some of the more popular milk tea stores in the metro usually swarmed by students. Choose your bet from three categories that we created: Top Tea, Rising Stars and New Breed.

With new stores coming up every now and then, the milk tea industry in the country will most likely linger and continue to be a favorite among students.

So, are there any milk tea places you want to share?

TOP TEA

Happy Lemon

Claim to fame: “The world’s yummiest drinks

Bestsellers: The Rock Salt with Cheese line (available in green tea priced at P80 for regular and P90 for large, cocoa and coffee priced at P90 for regular and P100 for large)

Add-on: Small pearl sago,  jelly, aloe, grass jelly, seaweed jelly, brown sugar jelly, malt, Kenton (Tungus’s seaweed), pudding, cocoa and bean. Aside from their plethora of jellies, one can have an additional shot of coffee for coffee-based drinks.

Student’s verdict: “I was surprised at first that they were so affordable, given that their menu is so varied and unique.” – Jean Estella, Advertising Arts, University of Santa Tomas

Serened

Claim to fame: “Not your ordinary cup of tea”.

Bestsellers: Okinawa (Assam black tea with brown sugar), Nagoya (Vanilla), Hokkaido (Assam Tea & Butter Toffee Caramel Flavor), Nutty Choco and Wintermelon. The prices range from P85 in small and hot doses up to P115 for a large cold one with grass jelly.