By: Devynn Conte | Writer & Michaela Schwartz | Writer
February 23, 2017
Looking for a healthier alternative to your daily Starbucks run? Milk Box, located at Kaleidoscope in Mission Viejo, offers a variety of high-quality, natural teas at an affordable price.
This quaint tea shop was created when two tea-lovers wanted a healthier alternative to the artificially sweetened and sugary drinks served at the more popular coffee shops. They pride themselves on their wide and unique variety of organic teas and real ingredients, especially in a day and age where millennials are becoming more health and environmentally conscious.
The menu is simple, but offers a unique array of teas. There are organic milk teas, creative items, and iced teas, all of which are relatively inexpensive, especially considering the high quality and type of teas that are offered. Both chia seeds and boba can be added to any drink for 50 cents. Food is not on the menu, but light and healthy snacks, such as popchips and chia seed bars, are on display at the front.
During our visit, we ordered the black milk tea, earl grey lavender milk tea, hibiscus tea, and chocolate mint featured drink. The baristas at Milk Box make all of the drinks behind a glass window, promoting their commitment to transparency, honesty, and the philosophy that what you see is what you get. The black and earl grey lavender milk teas were both much sweeter compared to regular teas without milk, but are very good for those with a bit of a sweet tooth. The milk tea is their specialty and most popular drink, and is arguably the best drink option available. The hibiscus tea was a slightly sweet, fruity drink, with floral undertones that are not too overwhelming. The chocolate mint featured drink tasted like a cold and minty chocolate milk. It’s not as sweet as the teas, but was very good especially for anyone who wants to enjoy chocolate milk in a lighter and healthier way. Their featured drinks are slightly more expensive than the other teas, but are creative and unique and only offered for a limited time.
This small and somewhat hidden tea shop is growing to be very popular, especially among high school and college students. A senior at San Clemente High School, Xavier Hendricks, says “I love going to Milk Box, especially with my girlfriend, it’s the perfect place to end the night after seeing a movie or going to dinner. My favorite drink is the black milk tea.” Milk Box is located on the second floor of the Kaleidoscope inside the Union Square Market.
Union Square Market is a unique center full of mostly small businesses. Restaurants, boutique jewelry, and clothing stores fill the inside of the building, giving it a very original and hipster atmosphere. Hannah Reed, senior at San Clemente High School says, “Milk Box is my go-to place to work on group projects and to just grab a drink with friends, I’m always excited to go there” Ping pong tables and seating areas are located next to Milk Box, making it the perfect place to hangout with friends, study, or just kick back and relax.
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