Starbucks Teavana launched in Asia including the Philippines

Starbucks is launching Starbucks Teavana Handcrafted Beverages and Full Leaf Tea Sachets as a core offering in more than 6,200 Starbucks stores across China and the Asia Pacific region, including the Philippines starting September 14, 2016.

Who would have thought that Matcha and Espresso is one of the best combinations ever?!

Starbucks Philippines' introduction of this modern tea experience with the world’s finest teas and botanicals is great for its growing customers looking for new, different and exciting tastes and experiences from Starbucks.

Starbucks Teavana Full Leaf Tea Sachets

This modern tea experience provides all of their custimers the opportunity to enjoy a range of unique iced and hot tea beverages with bold, layered flavors, handcrafted the way only Starbucks can. Starbucks is offering three new Starbucks® Teavana™ Handcrafted Beverages:

1. Iced Shaken Hibiscus Tea with Pomegranate Pearls (Tall ₱130, Grande ₱145, Venti ₱160) - The combination of the hibiscus Starbucks Teavana tea and busting pearls of real pomegranate juice gives a  refreshing beverage that has a kick of flavor. Pomegranate juice is a good source of antioxidants.
2. Iced Shaken Black Tea with Ruby Grapefruit and Honey (Tall ₱130, Grande ₱145, Venti ₱160) - Combines a traditional western black tea experience with a creative twist that is delicious iced with bites of pomelo fruit, grapefruit and honey for a touch of added sweetness. The beverage contains star ruby grapefruit, which is a good source of vitamins A and C and is rich in bioflavonoids and antioxidants
3. Matcha & Espresso Fusion (Tall ₱155, Grande ₱170, Venti ₱185) - Easily my favorite, this drink combines Starbucks' Matcha powder layered with milk and our Espresso Roast creates a beautiful layered beverage and is an inventive combination of coffee and tea, to be enjoyed hot or iced. Matcha is full of catechins, which are some of the most potent and beneficial antioxidants.

Also coming out in the Philippines this September 14, 2016 are the new Starbucks Card, the Autumn Leaf Cards and the Mid-Autumn Festival Card. In a press release Starbucks welcomes "another change in season with these delightful leaves in every shade of the autumn spectrum - red, yellow, orange, brown and green. These cards are available for an initial consumable load amount of ₱500 per card. On the other hand, in celebration of the Moon Festival or the Mid-Autumn Festival, where the time of the year when the moon is at its brightest and fullest, Starbucks celebrates with everyone with the release of a card dedicated to the festivities. The card is available for an initial consumable load amount of ₱300.

Purchase limit of two (2) activated Autumn Leaf Cards and (2) activated Mid-Autumn Festival Card per customer per day.

Starbucks Philippines releases new Autumn Card, Seasonal Lattes

The Starbucks Autumn Card, or more commonly called "Burst of Fall" in other countries, has reached the Philippines. This September 16, Tuesday, the new Starbucks Card will be released in all Starbucks Philippines stores nationwide. "Capturing the colors and coziness of fall, this card is a great gift to give for any occasion or an addition to your own collection," Starbucks Philippines noted.

Together with this, they are rolling out a Starbucks Card Load promotion. From September 16 to 22, every ₱300 loaded onto a Starbucks Card will automatically receive one (1) Beverage Star. This promo applies to newly activated cards and existing cards for reloading.

Moreover, also on September 16, Starbucks Philippines will be offering new seasonal beverages, the French Vanilla Latte and the Dark Caramel Latte. Starbucks wants us to embark on a journey into espresso bliss as they invite us to rekindle our love for the perfect latte. Both the French Vanilla Latte and the Dark Caramel Latte are delightful in taste, and are available hot or iced.

The Dark Caramel Latte is made of espresso, steamed milk and creamy dark caramel sauce, finished with whipped cream and a custardy caramel flan drizzle make for a delicious treat. Available in Tall (₱145), Grande (₱160), and Venti (₱170). The French Vanilla Latte, on the other hand, is made of steamed milk and creamy French Vanilla sauce with mild custard notes complement the roasty, sweet taste of our signature Espresso Roast. Whipped cream, vanilla bean specks and dark chocolate curls top this indulgent beverage This beverage is available in Tall (₱165), Grande (₱180), and Venti (₱190).

These new drinks will be available until November 2, 2014 in the Philippines.

Starbucks Philippines launches 2014 Festival Tumblers with Sinulog and Ati-Atihan

Starbucks Philippines launches its Festival Tumblers starting off with Cebu's Sinulog Festival 2014. The Starbucks Sinulog Festival 2014 Tumbler will only be sold in Starbucks Cebu branches until supplies last, starting tomorrow, January 16 with a retail price of Php 565.00. Meanwhile the Starbucks Ati-Atihan Festival 2014 Tumbler is now available in Starbucks Boracay branch, until supplies last.

The designs of the Starbucks Festival Tumblers incorporates coffee elements. As you will notice, the headdress of the women dancing have coffee cherries, while the costumes have coffee flowers. It also supports the Department of Tourism's "It's More Fun in the Philippines" campaign by adding their own meme, "Festivals. More Fun in the Philippines." Let us support this creative way of promoting both tourism in the Philippines, through popular Philippine festivals, and love for good coffee. Collect them all!

Starbucks launches a New Coffee Journey

Starbucks Philippines will launch this July 16 two new beverages with a twist, redefining your Starbucks coffee experience. Starbucks will take you to a cool coffee journey with its Dark Mocha White Chocolate Pudding Frappuccino Blended Beverage and Green Tea White Chocolate Pudding Frappuccino Blended Beverage.

The soft chewy texture of the White Chocolate Pudding adds a twist to your regular blended beverages. The Dark Mocha White Chocolate Pudding Frapp is a real treat for chocolate lovers as it combines the deep flavor of dark chocolate with that of a velvety and smooth white chocolate pudding, Starbucks' signature Frappuccino Roast coffee, chocolate chips, and milk, blended with ice. It is topped with whipped cream and chocolate powder.

The Green Tea White Chocolate Pudding Frappuccino perfectly blends the refreshing aromas of premium green tea, with the sweetness of the white chocolate pudding in a soft creamy texture, topped with whipped cream.

The Dark Mocha White Chocolate Pudding Frappuccino sells at PhP 190 for Tall, PhP 200 for Grande, and PhP 210 for Venti, while the Green Tea White Chocolate Pudding Frappuccino sells at PhP 180 for Tall, PhP 190 for Grande, and PhP 200 for Venti.

Besides the two new Frappuccino Blended Beverages, Starbucks Philippines introduces to the market the East Africa Blend, which offers an exotic blend of unique flavors of citrus, spice and berries, not found in coffee from any other region.

This is a medium roast blend which is bright and medium-bodied, striking an invigorating balance between citrus and spice notes from Kenya, and the subtle floral aromas and crisp from Ethiopia. Starbucks has been buying coffees frim East Africa since 1971.

Coffee Christmas Tradition is back with the 2013 Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee Planners

It is the season to start drinking coffee and to start collecting stickers to get your own Limited Edition Starbucks Philippines 2013 Coffee Planners! This year they come in 3 different leather cover colors - black, white and green. Starbucks Philippines Christmas tradition returns with the 10th edition of the Starbucks Planner. This year’s theme is “Moments of Connection” which is highlighted throughout the planner. "Starbucks believes that a shared moment of genuine connection over coffee is a simple act that helps provide an uplifting part of someone’s day."

The Starbucks Planners come with a magnetic bookmark. It also has thirteen “kindness cards” with different Starbucks treats that can be shared with family, friends and loved ones. The kindness cards may be redeemed at any Starbucks store in the Philippines during a specified period in 2013.

Alongside this Christmas Tradition, is the come back of our favorite holiday drinks, namely the Peppermint Mocha, Dark Cherry Mocha and Toffee Nut Latte.

A customer can avail of a Starbucks Christmas traditions planner promo card from November 3, 2012 to January 8, 2013. One sticker is awarded for each Starbucks beverage purchase. Holder must accumulate a total of seventeen (17) stickers (nine (9) Christmas beverage plus eight (8) core beverages except bottled drinks) to redeem one (1) Limited Edition Starbucks Philippines 2013 Planner.

With every redeemed Limited Edition Starbucks Philippines 2013 Planner comes a donation for the children of SparkHope – an early childhood care and development program in partnership with UNICEF.

Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso and Bottled Frappuccino

Now available in your nearest Starbucks Philippines store, is the Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso Drink. Starbucks introduced the delicious intensity of rich espresso mellowed by a touch of cream. "Starbucks Doubleshot® is a convenient, bold, authentic Starbucks coffee experience. Take it with you. Enjoy its concentrated flavor; plus the high quality and premium espresso experience you expect from Starbucks whenever and wherever you want it." It comes in a 6.5 ounce can, which is best served chilled. "No mess, no fuss." It tastes really good. It's not that strong, but gives you that kick to start a busy day and get you going.

Other two new addition to the display are the Mocha and Vanilla Starbucks Bottled Frappuccino. It is made of sweet, creamy, and low-fat blend of Starbucks coffee and milk in every bottle. It is for me a perfect buddy when you are on the go! Of course, it is best served chilled.

Thank you to Starbucks Philippines for the samples and the photo.

Wake up to New Starbucks Breakfast Sandwiches

On September 11, 2012, wake up to a delicious breakfast at Starbucks, with the new Starbucks Breakfast Sandwiches! Definitely, nothing can say “good morning” best, but with a warm and savory breakfast treat. Handmade with ingredients like eggs, gourmet meats and cheeses and bakery style bread, it’s the perfect start to any day. :)



SPAM® BLACK PEPPER, EGG AND CHEDDAR CHEESE ON CORNMEAL BREAD
This sandwich is so hard to resist. Because when you combine a slice of SPAM® with black pepper, creamy scrambled egg layered with melted American Cheddar cheese on artisan cornmeal bread, it becomes a sandwich that is simple yet mouthwatering.



FOREST HAM, EGG WHITE AND GOUDA CHEESE ON OAT BREAD
If you want a flavorful sandwich but with less fat, this savory breakfast sandwich is for you. It is made with slices of forest ham, aged and smoky Gouda cheese and egg white scrambled egg on a toasty warmed oat bread.



BREAKFAST TAPA AND EGG WITH GARLIC MAYONNAISE ON DARK WHOLE WHEAT BREAD
A traditional favorite Filipino breakfast that you’ll find in almost every breakfast menu in the Philippines is made into a gourmet sandwich. Breakfast tapa with hints of basil and poached egg drizzled with garlic mayonnaise on a dark whole wheat bread.



RATATOUILLE AND MOZZARELLA CHEESE ON MULTIGRAIN BREAD
Our new vegetarian sandwich has everything you need for the day. Crusty warm artisan multigrain bread stuffed with a delicious blend of cheese, spinach, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, portobello and shiitake mushrooms, garlic and onions. A vegetarian delight!

Starbucks Philippines introduces New and Returning Food Items

Starbucks Philippines wants you to enjoy your favorite Starbucks beverage with these savory and indulgent food items, which will be available for a limited time starting September 11, 2012.



BACON AND PARMESAN RING
Great for breakfast or brunch, the comfort of bacon is combined with the classiness of parmesan cheese. A crusty bread ring topped with aged parmesan cheese; the inside is soft and doughy with bits of smoky bacon and parmesan cheese. A classic combination. Best served warm.



SPANISH FRITTATA WRAP
This Spanish breakfast wrap provides a great source of protein in the morning. The crispy warm tortilla is filled with flavorful ground pork and sliced potatoes, then enrobed in egg, freshly sliced juicy tomatoes, and drizzled with garlic mayo. Best served warm!



CHOCOLATE AND STARBUCKS VIA® CRUMB CAKE
A perfect combination of chocolate and coffee. Light and dark layers of moist chocolate and coffee sponge cake, smooth coffee buttercream infused with Starbucks VIA Italian Roast, chewy cashew meringue with bits of chocolate covered with smooth and creamy coffee buttercream, finished with chocolate bits.



ALMOND PAIN AU CHOCOLAT
(Returning Favorite)
It is a typical product that you find in French bakeries. An all butter croissant filled with sweet almond paste, luscious dark chocolate and sprinkled with flaked almond and sugar icing. A chocolate lover’s fantasy. This product really has a feel of an artisan product, bringing you at the heart of small French villages. Best served warm.



ENSAYMADA
(Core Product Re-launch)
Great coffee deserves good food. This new ensaymada has a soft, airy and buttery dough generously topped with sweet and salty buttercream icing, grated queso de bola and powdered aged parmesan cheese.

Jump into Rich Indulgence with Starbucks' Salted Caramel Mocha

Starbucks Philippines introduces the Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha, in hot, iced, and frappuccino blended beverages. As the weather becomes colder, Starbucks Philippines wants us to jump into rich indulgence with these signature espresso offerings, with the salty and sweet flavors of the new Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha.

SALTED CARAMEL MOCHA
The warm and indulgent flavors of Salted Caramel Mocha are a perfect companion for a cold afternoon or evening. Experience uplifting warmth with this creamy mix of espresso and velvety steamed milk, blended with mocha sauce and flavored syrup. Topped with whipped cream, buttery caramel sauce and a mixture of turbinado sugar and smoked sea salt, this flavorful beverage is sure to make your day.


ICED SALTED CARAMEL MOCHA
With the same delicious flavor as the Salted Caramel Mocha in an icy cool format, the Iced Salted Caramel Mocha offers a cool and indulgent treat perfect for a warm day. Espresso and fresh milk are combined with mocha sauce and flavored syrup, served over ice and topped with whipped cream, buttery caramel sauce, and a mixture of turbinado sugar and smoked sea salt, hitting the perfect note.


SALTED CARAMEL MOCHA FRAPPUCCINO® BLENDED BEVERAGE
Rich mocha sauce and flavored syrup blended with Starbucks® Frappuccino® Roast coffee, whole milk, and ice. Finished with whipped cream , buttery caramel sauce and a mixture of turbinado natural cane sugar and smoked sea salt, it’s the perfect indulgent mid-day treat, and sure to be a favorite.



Moon Festival Tumblers Offer
Purchase any moon festival tumbler and get a chance to win a Salted Caramel Mocha Party for four! Promo runs from September 11 to November 2, 2012. Terms and conditions apply.

Starbucks Philippines' Newest Featured Food

For a limited time starting August, you can enjoy the newest featured food items at Starbucks stores nationwide. These savory and indulgent food items are certainly irresistible and a must try!

Wild Mushroom and Emmenthal Cheese on French Butter Croissant (P120) - IF you are looking for a delicious gourmet meal, especially for vegetarians, then this wild mushroom and emmenthal cheese on French butter croissant is worth trying. It has a mix of button, shiitake and portabello mushrooms, which have real flavor and meaty texture. The soft crispy butter croissant with melted emmenthal is really to die for!



Seafood Po'Boy Wrap (P160) - The Po'Boy sandwich is a New Orleans favorite. It features crispy fried fish and shrimps, sauteed assorted vegetables drizzled with zesty Cajun sauce and sprinkled with mozzarella cheese.



Rocky Road Cake (P140/slice) - An all time classic ice cream flavor favorite now made into a cake! Two moist chocolatey sponge cakes layered with smooth velvety chocolate pudding studded with roasted walnuts, soft fluffy marshmallow cake and chocolate chunks, then covered with dark intense chocolate ganache and topped with marshmallow, walnuts and drizzled with chocolate.



Mocha Silvana (P95) - A light and creamy mocha buttercream icing sandwiched between two toothsome crunchy and slightly chewy meringue cookies then covered with crushed roasted almonds and bits of dark chocolate. This is truly an irresistible, seductive dessert! :)

Starbucks Philippines Asian Invasion with New Food and Beverages

Starbucks has another treat in store for you. Visit Starbucks One Rockwell in Rockwell Drive, Makati tomorrow and get a DOUBLE UPSIZE TREAT on all beverages from 4pm to 8pm :) Sounds good? Go! But besides this treat, Starbucks will be launching this June 12, new drinks and new food items, which will surely go well with your taste buds.


Starbucks Philippines will be launching its refreshing and mouthwatering Asian Frappuccino blended beverages: the Hojica Tea Jelly Frappuccino and the Red Bean Green Tea Frappuccino. These new iconic hero Frappuccino beverages use high-quality ingredients sourced from different parts of Asia, which fuses East and West.

HOJICHA TEA JELLY FRAPPUCCINO - An equally innovative beverage combining Hojicha, a type of Japanese roasted tea, with Starbucks own Tazo Earl Grey tea-infused jelly, giving this beverage a one-of-a-kind taste and mouth feel never achieved before. The nutty and toasty flavors of hojicha is flavorful yet refreshing to the addition of the firm, bite-enticing earl grey jelly.

RED BEAN GREEN TEA FRAPPUCCINO - This beverage combines juicy whole kernels of red azuki beans and matcha, a finely-milled green tea which is the most superior form of green tea in Japan. The refreshing combination of green tea with the juicy plumpness of sweet-savory azuki beans give this beverage a deliciously rich distinct flavor.



Alongside these new Frappuccino blended beverages, Starbucks is also launching new food items that would go well with the drinks. These will be available for a limited time at Starbucks stores in the Philippines beginning June 12, 2012.

Meet my personal favorite, the Green Tea and Berry Cheesecake - An exciting contrast of the creamiest green tea cheesecake bursting with refreshing blueberries on a crispy walnut crust, finished with white chocolate ganache curls. They call it chic and sophisticated. I call it dessert heaven :) Another cake offering is the Purple Yam Cake with Macapuno and Red Bean - a marriage of two classic Filipino dessert with a unique twist. Three stacks of moist purple yam chiffon cake filled with soft macapuno strips and red bean, and covered with irresistible creamy purple yam buttercream icing and sugar sprinkles.



Other pastries include the Beef and Mushroom Pie - golden brown, crispy, flaky and buttery pastry crust filled with moist and tender beef strips, sliced mushrooms, carrots and creamy fresh mashed potatoes; Bacon and Cheese on Italian Country Bread - sinfully delicious gooey grilled cheese sandwich coupled with six types of cheeses (Gruyere, Emmenthal, Provolone, Mozzarella, Feta and Cheddar) and crispy bacon strips, subtly seasoned with creamy pesto sauce and Italian herbed butter on bread.



Last but not the least, the Chicken Parmigiana Wrap - juicy and tender chicken breast fillet, sliced eggplant, covered with Italian tomato sauce and grated cheese, wrapped in crispy chewy pita bread.

New Starbucks Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino

Have you tried the new Starbucks Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino blended beverage? It's the newest addition for the season to Starbucks' Frappuccino Blended Beverage line-up. It combines chocolate cookie bits with Starbucks' signature Frappuccino Roast coffee for an intensely yummy twist on the classic Mocha Frappuccino Blended Coffee. This new recipe is made with rich mocha sauce, vanilla syrup, milk and ice, finished off with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle and a cookie crumble topping.


If you are not the type who does not like coffee that much, try Starbucks' Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino blended beverage, which is made of a classic recipe from strawberry sauce, milk, blended with ice and topped with whipped cream. This beverage can be free from dairy, when you order it without whipped cream. :)


You can enjoy more of the classic and new Starbucks' Frappuccinos with Starbucks' newest promo, the Frappuccino Happy Hour. All Mondays from April 30 to May 28, you can enjoy half-priced "However-You-Want-It" Frappuccino blended beverages from any Starbucks branch from 2pm to 6pm. So this May 21 and May 28, head out to any Starbucks branch and enjoy your favorite Starbucks Frappuccinos. "Customers can personalize their Frappuccino blended beverage just like their favorite hot drinks at Starbucks. With thousands of options, choose from a variety of milks or soy, request the coffee intensity and pick any combination of syrups or toppings."

Will Starbucks Philippines go Blonde?

Starbucks in the US recently introduced a "lighter-bodied and mellow" coffee called the Starbucks® Blonde Roast, which gently awakens the senses. It has said to be "subtle and soft with mellow acidity, and delivers an approachable and flavorful cup with slight hints of roast."

"The new coffees included in this category are Starbucks Veranda Blend™ (Delicate nuances of soft cocoa and lightly toasted nuts await you), Starbucks Willow Blend™ (Sparkling flavors in a breezy, delicious cup), which is also available in Decaf, and the Veranda ViaReady Brew.

As foodie Lori Baltazar asked on Twitter, "I wonder if Starbucks' new Blonde Roast will be offered in the Philippines?" I ask, will Starbucks Philippines go Blonde? That will be something worth the wait, and the guessing. She adds that, "a 'weaker' brew might encourage more Pinoys to drink it black." Let's see this first quarter, shall we?

Blog Christmas Giveaway #2 - Starbucks Philippines ♥

Thank you to all those who have joined, and those who have yet to join my Blog Christmas Giveaway # 1 - FILED 2012 Planners. Now, The Philippines and Beyond has a lot more in store for you. Watch out for more Christmas giving and sharing in the days and weeks to come.



Everyone knows by now that I am a coffee addict. And when it comes to coffee, the brand I trust the most with my fix is no other than, STARBUCKS. I love their coffee, their ever changing variety of pastries & food, and of course, their awesome blog and promotional events. Truly, Starbucks has grown a place not only in my tummy, but also in my heart. This is why, I would like to share some Starbucks ♥ to you, my dear readers, or at least to 10 of you, who will be lucky to be randomly picked to receive a Starbucks Christmas Gift Card each. :)

To: YOU :) The Philippines and Beyond Reader,

It is the season of sharing and loving! Everyone should be happy :) With these reasons, I share with you, dear readers, these Starbucks Christmas Gift Cards as a token of my love and gratitude to YOU for being with me and my blog for almost more than four (4) years now. In the spirit of the season, I hope you become a blessing to others as well. Thank you...

Fr: Brian Ong http://brianong.blogspot.com/

Don't worry. There will be more giveaways ahead. If you want to give a Starbucks Christmas Gift Card to your loved ones and coffee addict friends this season, the Starbucks Christmas Gift Card can be purchased from any Starbucks Philippines store nationwide, until supply lasts, at Php 160 each.

HOW TO WIN THE STARBUCKS CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS:

(1) Like The Philippines and Beyond official Facebook page.

(2) Like the STARBUCKS PHILIPPINES official Facebook page.

(3) Share this blog post via Facebook: "@The Philippines and Beyond is giving away 10 Starbucks Christmas Gift Cards (post URL) @(tag 3 friends)" or via Twitter: "@briankingong is giving away 10 Starbucks Christmas Gift Cards (post URL) @(tag 3 friends)"

Example: Facebook - "The Philippines and Beyond is giving away 10 Starbucks Christmas Gift Cards http://brianong.blogspot.com/2011/12/blog-christmas-giveaway-2-starbucks.html @Friend1 @Friend2 @Friend3" or Twitter - "@briankingong is giving away 10 Starbucks Christmas Gift Cards http://brianong.blogspot.com/2011/12/blog-christmas-giveaway-2-starbucks.html @Friend1 @Friend2 @Friend3"

(4) Leave a reply at my comment box below with the answer to this question; complete the reply with your NAME and E-MAIL ADDRESS. Failure to do so automatically disqualifies the entry. QUESTION: How do you like the 2013 planner (next planner after the 2012 Starbucks Planner) to look like? Share some of your insights ;)

(5) This contest is open to all readers in the Philippines. One entry per person only. Winners will be chosen via electronic raffle. This contest will run from December 08, 2011 to December 10, 2011, 11:59PM. There will be ten (10) winners, getting one Starbucks Christmas Gift Card each. I will be notifying the winner via email and will also announce it here in my blog. The Starbucks Christmas Gift Cards will be delivered to the winners.