In the FoodEEs series, El Estoque staff members take on different food and drink establishments, reviewing the menu items based on taste, price and authenticity.
Molly Tea (茉莉奶白) celebrated the grand opening of their third and fourth California locations in San Mateo and Cupertino on Friday, Nov. 7. To celebrate, Molly Tea hosted a buy-one-get-one-free weekend and offered the first 150 customers a choice between a jasmine-scented sachet or a magnet of their mascot, Molly, a character inspired by the jasmine flower itself.
A Chinese tea-drink franchise founded in 2021 in Shenzhen, China, the store has quickly grown to over 1,700 stores worldwide, and is known for their jasmine teas and their unique multi-straws design — with three narrow straws fused into one — to enhance both the aroma and flavor of each sip.
Stepping into the store, customers are greeted by the gentle fragrance of jasmine that immediately feels inviting. The interior radiates modern serenity, with soft wooden tones on the furniture and walls that complement the pink cups and bags, as well as spacious seating with two-person tables and a long table beside the window. Staff members work with efficiency and attentiveness, using earsets for clear communication and offering thoughtful recommendations suited to different taste preferences. The team maintains a professional and coordinated appearance with matching pink masks and attire, and the workspace is kept orderly and clean.
White Champaca Oolong Milk Tea ($6.99)
The White Champaca Oolong Milk Tea is a blend of champaca green tea and oolong, with fresh milk that softens the tea’s intensity, delivering a drink with an elegant balance of flowery fragrance and creaminess. The aroma of the tea is captivating, sweetly perfumed with an orchid-like scent of champaca, yet still grounded, as the tea’s flavor leans on the subtler side. The unique straw highlights the smooth texture, though the tea flavor fades from the tongue sooner than expected. A refined tea that highlights the gentle floral notes, this is the ideal drink for those who prefer a delicate, fine brew of tea as compared to more bold, concentrated varieties.
RATING: 4/5
Snowy Jasmine ($7.99)
A Molly Tea signature offering, the Snowy Jasmine is crafted with jasmine green tea, fresh milk and topped with airy jasmine whipped cream and toasted pecans. This drink enchants from the first sip, delivering a seamless balance of textures and flavors. The tea carries an intense floral flavor balanced by sweetness, while the layer of whipped cream adds a light velvetiness infused with jasmine. Unlike the champaca, which leans towards a softer, creamier floral note, the jasmine feels bolder and ethereal, unfolding its flavor with each sip. The pecans add a hint of sweetness and a perfectly toasty crunch, providing a contrast in texture that perfectly ties the drink together.
RATING: 4.5/5
Pistachio Jasmine Coconut ($7.99)
Visually appealing, the Pistachio Jasmine Coconut stands out presentably with its combination of layers — including pistachio cheese foam over translucent coconut water — and golden jasmine green tea sprinkled with crushed pistachios. The pistachio cheese foam is the highlight, offering a creamy and savory layer that pairs with the nutty richness from the crushed pistachios, complementing the tea’s earthy notes. The green tea is refreshing and pleasantly sweet, yet what should’ve been the highlight — the coconut flavor — is almost nowhere to be found, often overshadowed by the tea. Overall, the drink is creative and refreshing, elevated by its pistachio foam, but it lacks the promised coconut element needed to achieve a more satisfying balance of each factor.
RATING: 3/5
White Champaca Matcha ($6.99)
While the White Champaca Matcha has a fancy name, it doesn’t quite meet expectations. The drink is crafted of fresh milk, champaca and a splash of matcha, frosted with a generous amount of matcha cheese foam. The milk with a hint of champaca dominates, and dilutes the matchas natural bitterness and depth, leaving its earthy undertones muted. However, the matcha cheese foam is not overpowered; instead, it is light, frothy and delicately savory, perfectly complimenting a sip of milk along with it. While Molly Tea has a wonderful idea to incorporate white champaca into the drink itself, the matcha being overpowered by the milk takes away the subtle, complex flavors of a good matcha.
RATING: 2/5
OVERALL: 3.5/5
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Altogether, Molly Tea offers a spacious, inviting environment with efficient service and is a great place to try at least once. From the addictive jasmine fragrance in the air to the thoughtful interior design, every detail reflects the brand’s aesthetic and focus on the tea experience. While some drinks stood out more than others, the store as a whole delivers a unique and memorable experience to jasmine-forward tea brands, making it a notable visit for all tea enthusiasts.
