I'm slowly making my way through all of the new matcha cafes in Berkeley. But I fear I might pause because Forest Tea Bar has my heart! First off, the vibes are so zen, even if it's extremely busy! I came with my friend, both of us Japanese. It was a nice change of pace being in a cafe like this. It's common in Japan for cafes to be more western, so she was shocked that this cafe was more minimalistic, Asian-inspired, haha. There's bar seating plus indoor and outdoor tables. Most customers are Cal students studying or working, and seats can be limited. Communal seating is communal, and there's seating outside too. The service was great! We sat at the bar so we could watch what was happening. We loved how sweet one of the workers who helped us was. Kind service, and they put time and care into making each drink. Wait times can vary, but it's so worth it! I love any Japanese tea--matcha, hojicha, I'm all there! But I especially loved how they have genmaicha. I got the Genmaicha Latte with Oat Milk. It was perfect, subtle sweetness and roast, and a nice earthy matcha blend. I'd get it again. My friend enjoyed her Hojicha Latte, and they were kind enough to accommodate her request and give us Hojicha Tea as well! Everything was great quality and delicious. Forest Tea Bar is a wonderful cafe in Berkeley to get a matcha or other tea drink. Find them off Shattuck Ave. with street and metered parking around. Looking forward to coming back again and again! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Genmaicha Latte (Oat Milk), Hojicha Tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Small, high-quality matcha tea bar with a super simple aesthetic. This place was absolutely phenomenal! They whisk everything by hand--none of that premade matcha sitting in a pitcher. You can taste the effort (and maybe the arm workout too). I think there are only about three staff members making drinks at a time, so if you come during peak hours... yeah, you will be waiting. Patience is part of the menu. If you're not about that waiting life, I highly recommend coming on a weekday before the rush. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Also--no bathrooms and no parking, so plan accordingly. Street parking is your only option, so may the odds be ever in your favor. Overall, I would definitely come back... even if it means circling the block a few times first. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Forgot what I ordered... _ - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

I am not a matcha person so much, but my friend is. So we're going off her opinions. The service was good, the people greeted us. We had to order off a kiosk. We got 2 drinks and a treat. She didnt like it, but I did. Honestly, it tasted like matcha. LOL I'm not bougie about it. The place is pretty small, but hella charming. Limited parking as well. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Finally, I can see the forest through the trees! This place makes your drink one at a time with care and precision. My friend got the Black sesame with match and it was the perfect balance of sesame to matcha. Not too sweet, with a fresh matcha undertone. My drinks, the Suzuki sparkler which is basically Yuzu with sparkling water was refreshing in this Berkeley heat, and my second drink, the Cashew nut macha made with homemade cashew milk was very satisfying. The Japanese look and feel of this intimate store made it feel like we were transported into a small Japanese café. Really enjoyed our drinks and the ambiance. A great addition so close to UC Berkeley. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Decided to treat myself and try this place my friend recommended. I decided to just try a regular Uji matcha latte with oat milk. It was quite creamy and not powdery which was good. I will say the sweetness was a little lacking, so if you like your matcha a little more "pure" you'd probably enjoy this more. I'd be willing to try it again and maybe just ask for more sweetness, but that's just me. Nice little chill spot though. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Uji matcha latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

One of the best Matcha I've had outside of Japan. I ordered the uji Matcha latte. The sweetness was perfect and it tasted very clean. I also tried my friends rose Matcha latte and black sesame Matcha latte, which were both delicious. Black sesame Matcha latte was probably the sweetest out of all. The rose latte was also really good. The rose aroma was strong, but it did not have that sticky after taste that a lot of the rose syrup have. It's a small café, but there are 3 to 4 tables with seats available as well as barstools at the bar. Parking is street parking, but it was not too difficult to find. If you're looking for a high-quality Matcha, this place is a must try. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Black sesame on the left and uji matcha latte on the right - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

We wanted to get a refreshing drink and this place was nearby. We ordered the hojicha black sesame, Uji matcha latte, and the hojicha latte. The drinks were all pretty good and they came out quick. Ordering is simple as you just use the qiosk to order. Try it out if you like. :) read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

One of my favorite spots in the bay for a simple iced matcha latte (although they do have tasty and unique combo lattes like the ginger matcha, rose matcha and black sesame matcha)! Once you walk in, you order at the tablet and I like all the customization options they have for the drinks. There is a small amount of seating indoors/outdoors but it can be packed. I've been here multiple times and never leave disappointed, super consistent and high quality! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Uji Matcha Latte (Iced) - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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This place is not located in a forest, but if it was I'm going INNNNNN. I was really excited to try this place after seeing a few new matcha places open in Berkeley. They have their own mini parking lot, but other than that you do have to bank on street parking. As for the inside, you definitely get both that cozy and relaxing vibe from the interior. But, it was also modern or upscale due to how updated everything was from the lighting and chairs. Forest was giving minimalistic baddie! I felt like I was about to drink some boujee matcha right when I walked in. You order at a kiosk and the drink options are pretty standard at moderate price points ($7). Card only! Besides matcha lattes, they also had Hojicha and Usucha (just the matcha). It was cool to see they had a black sesame matcha and rice tea matcha (both options you can get sweetened). I opted for the sweetened brown rice tea matcha and loved the taste profile! The matcha was strong and more on the earthy side. It balanced really well with the rice tea flavor in my opinion that it was more so refreshing than milky. #needthatmatchapowder #immabuyatin Would love to come back and try another drink! Drinks also came relatively quick ~5 minutes. Smooth service overall. read more

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What is up with some of the low ratings lol. They're open 11-6 Friday-Sunday. Soft launch...so there's gonna be a wait, because it's...good? If this place was awful there would be zero wait time. If you want a group setting go to Starbucks? Lord bless some of these people. Yes, it's pricey. Im sure you've spent money on dumber things without antioxidants. I love the convenience, it's right next to the gym. Quality control is immaculate, I've ordered from here over 25 times and it's been consistently fantastic. The space is clean and quiet. The staff is excellent, 10 stars for them. The decor is bright and clean, and the drinks are tasty, with black sesame matcha being my favorite. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Black sesame matcha - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Hole in the wall matcha spot in South Berkeley. Relaxing atmosphere with instrumental music, water fountains, and ceremonial matcha tools for view. There is seating throughout the store, but not ideal for large groups. You order on a kiosk and the employees hand make your drink. If you sit at the bar and watch they may talk to you, but they may also be busy making sure everything is made just right. The black sesame matcha is so good, the sesame adds a layer of sweet creaminess to the bitterness of the matcha. Their drinks are amade with plant milk so I think the sesame helps the texture overall. This was my second time and both times the pastries have been sold out - hopefully third time is the charm. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Black sesame matcha latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Ceremonial matcha tasting, from website design to interior planning, showcases the meticulous attention to detail. I commend the wonder's dedication to introducing Asian culture with grace to the Western world. Matcha's health benefits are universally beneficial across all age groups. read more

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This cute little matcha spot probably has one of the better high quality matchas I've had in the bay...it's pricey at almost $9/cup for their black sesame matcha latte, but it had such a good nutty flavor and I got a good caffeine high from it. The sesame paste itself is sweet so make sure to mix it well or else you'll get a sugar bonb. I hope to see the store hours expand, but I was impressed and they seen to really care about what they have to offer! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place is truly unique - serene, calming, and beautifully minimalist. I tried the matcha and the hojicha, both of which tasted incredibly pure and well-prepared. Ordering is done on a tablet, and they make everything right in front of you at the bar before handing it off on the side. The seating area is cozy and peaceful, making it a great spot to slow down, relax, and enjoy your drink. A really lovely atmosphere overall. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Matcha latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Was excited to try this new matcha spot that opened a few months ago! There is a small parking lot in front but not a lot of spaces available so be prepared to circle a bit during peak hours. When you enter, there is a kiosk in front to order from. I will say when we came in, there was no sense of acknowledgement - one person was in conversation with folks at the bar (seemed like they knew each other) while the other person was at the front making drinks. It would have been helpful to talk through options, recommendations, etc. We ended up going with their iced Uji Matcha and hot black sesame hojicha latte. It was a fun experience to watch them prepare your drinks, especially as they measure everything to a tee. The atmosphere in general was quite calming and you could tell they were focused on the ritual of preparing drinks and giving a folks a place to slow down. I very much enjoyed my latte, it was wonderfully warming on a cold day. The matcha tasted very high quality and earthy. The pricing vs quantity is definitely on the higher end but you can taste the quality in the ingredients (our 2 drinks came out to $16 without tip). Overall, would come back to try other drinks! read more

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This tiny tea shop is in a grey modern building across from Equinox. The decor is simple and minimalist. They have a few seats and tables. the tables are only for like one or two people. You place your order on the kiosk. I ordered the hojicha latte. It was good, but I tried my brother's hojicha black sesame latte which tasted better. I should have ordered that. My drink tasted earthy and healthy. Parking here is challenging since it's Berkeley. There are meters outside, but not many spots. read more

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Forest Tea Bar is one of the many matcha and hojicha spots in Berkeley that I had been wanting to try, so I finally stopped by and tried their hojicha latte. The interior felt super cozy and had a traditional feel, which definitely raised my expectations. Unfortunately, the service was a bit slow and I waited quite a while even though it was not very busy. When I finally got my drink, I was pretty disappointed. It did not taste as good as I had hoped, especially compared to other spots in the area. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Hojicha Latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Be mindful of the hours right now - they're basically only open on weekends! My friend and I came before opening on a Saturday and there was already a line. We waited about 20 minutes for our drinks. They prepare the matcha right in front of you, and the employees were really kind in helping me get a good picture of my matcha. The Rose Matcha is an absolute must-try! It's not overly floral or artificial, and it's the perfect level of sweetness. The Black Sesame matcha also has a great nutty flavor, but it was a bit too grainy for me. This cafe does get pretty busy, but the interior has a nice monochrome theme and a lot of seating you can sit at while waiting for your drink. Overall, they have fantastic quality of matcha and getting to see the baristas prepare your drinks reflect how much care goes into each order. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Black Sesame Matcha, Rose Matcha - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

One of the stronger matcha spots in the Bay imo! Oat milk is a default which is always nice to hear. The interior was zen and the staff puts care into making the drinks. I really enjoyed my matcha latte. I also tried the black sesame matcha latte, which although was tasty, I felt that the black sesame was overpowering. Will be back! read more

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If you're looking for a matcha spot that stay fairly true to its root, look no further than Forest Tea Bar. The drinks focus on the tea itself and the umami flavor that you get from it. The 3 drinks we tried were all great in its own flavor. More earthy and umami, less sweet. I went on an off early afternoon so the wait wasn't too bad, although I was expecting a long line. The barista takes time to make each cup of drink so you will end up needing to wait a little but the patience is worth it. read more

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Stopped in for the soft opening and the space is soothing in that light‑wood, tea‑house way. Staff were kind and focused even with a steady line, walking drinks over and explaining the menu without rushing. I ordered a latte (ticket #137) and watched them do careful pours over ice and matcha, plus a pretty cast‑iron teapot setup at the counter. Prices looked fair for the category, with houjicha and genmaicha lattes around $6.95. Little touches are thoughtful: candy tray by the menus, tiny white vase on a clear slab, and a clean kiosk flow that texts your receipt and shows a QR. They're also listing nerikiri sweets, which were already sold out by the time I got to the screen, so that's a good sign for demand. PS does soft opening mean the door will be locked you must wait for someone to exit in hopes of getting in? read more

Forest Tea Bar - Deco - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Great matcha, worth the money! Good value for price point. Just wish they had a non dairy option other than oat without up charge. Almond or dairy milk would be better. Good quality and nice ambiance inside. Not a huge space but enough for a small hang read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

TLDR: My new favorite matcha place in the Bay!!! Unique menu offerings + quality drinks = happy me :-) The matcha here is top notch, but beyond that what really impressed me was the creative menu options. I've never seen rose matcha anywhere else. The quality of the drinks were also really good - you can taste the matcha as well as the additional flavor - they must've experimented a lot because the flavors meld together really well imo! It's super busy here though - we had it wait a while for our drinks esp since every drink is hand whisked. The place is really cute - great for catching up with friends, but not so much working here. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Genmaicha matcha latte Rose matcha latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

What a lovely spot! Forest Tea Bar smells soooo good and looks so clean. The smell of the tea and the warming spotless environment was so wonderful. A lot of good stuff on their menu, but only a few items were available when I went because of reduced staff. Ordered on the screen and waited about 10-15 mins for 5 drinks. My daughter really liked their matcha lattes and appreciated that it was nondairy milk (oat) that they used. They also have cashew milk, but that was unavailable when we were there. Most of the tea latte drinks have customizations, such as hot or cold, oat or cashew milk, unsweetened or not or pay an additional 35 cents for maple sweetener. We didn't get the maple as we got the iced drinks as is with oat, and they were pretty good. Each drink takes some time to make since they do the matcha whisk thing individually for each drink. So satisfying watching them pour that into the cup. I tried the uji matcha, the roasted matcha, and some of the hojicha and they were all good. The sweet was not really sweet at all, which was perfect. Would def get the roasted one again if I make it back here. The hojicha didn't have a sweetener option and the kids didn't really like it, but it was a good hojicha. Each drink was around $7. Love the bar area too, seeing them make the drinks. So authentic! read more

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As excited as I was for this spot to open, I was disappointed to say that I didn't love it. As someone that makes my own matcha lattes at home, I love going out to try a new matcha spot as a treat once in awhile, so I visited Forest Tea Bar twice before my review: The interior is calming and fairly small - A decent place to sit and study at if open, with lots of natural light and overall a very zen atmosphere. There are usually lines to order, and since every drink seemed to be crafted carefully, the store is usually filled with people waiting (a fairly long time) for their drinks. Unfortunately all drinks my friends and I tried were grainy. The matcha flavor was light in general, refreshing, but personally was overshadowed by the oat milk. Sweetness was actually a great level, but again, the graininess wasn't the most pleasant. It's definitely a nice spot to visit if you haven't been already, but there are other spots in the East Bay I prefer for a matcha latte! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Uji Matcha Latte, Genmaicha Matcha Latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

OMG so good. One of the best in the area. The matcha here is quality and I can tell the effort put into each drink. Indoor space is clean modern and zen. Service was slow, but that's also due to their care and dedication in crafting each drink. I ordered the roasted rice genmaicha latte and it was so smooth and earthy--none of that grassy taste. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I almost wanted to order a second one LOL. Totally would come again! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Got the black sesame matcha. Can't go wrong! Not too sweet ! Wish I went lighter on the ice. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Sesame match - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

A very cute cafe in Berkeley, specialising in matcha! it has a really chill atmosphere inside, and the decor is very photo-worthy. i ordered the sparkling yuzu because i am not the biggest fan of matcha, and it was delicious. the yuzu was definitely remarkable, and my sister, who ordered the hojicha, claims it was her favorite hojicha she has ever had. we waited about 6 minutes for our drinks, so service was pretty fast. i overall enjoyed it and it is definitely a place to catch up with friends, study, or even get a quick drink. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Hojicha Latte + Sparkling Yuzu - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Heard about this place from a friend and thought I'd give it a try! The interior is so aesthetic and it seems like a nice place to catch up with friends or get some work done. This place uses oat milk so it's great for those who are lactose. I got the black sesame matcha latte, but the black sesame overpowered the matcha flavor. If I go back, I would probably try the original matcha latte. Perhaps it was a one-off, but it took me a very long time to get my drink. My friend ordered after me and got her drink before me. It got to the point where there was no one in line to order and no one making the drinks that I thought they forgot about my drink. But then, later, it looked like they were training someone on how to make it. read more

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Love the clean, spa-like aesthetic It was a bit crowded on a Saturday morning even for their soft opening. Ordering is via a touchscreen just in from the entrance so there's a bit of a space limit. That said it is a good system and they do have a screen that keeps tabs on the orders in progress vs ready so you can follow your order. They very clearly make drinks to order and use high quality ingredients. The matcha is legit. I was very very pleased. The black sesame matcha was my favorite between the two we ordered. The warm drink with nuttiness complemented the creamy matcha latte well. Definitely worth a visit for true matcha fans if in the area! read more

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Considering they're still in the soft opening stage, they are doing their best and hope they would appreciate customers' candid feedback. As with many other comments, they should consider expanding the milk options beyond oat and homemade cashew milk (extra cost). I came at the right time (just before closing) and the wait was fine. But I could see it being prolonged significantly during busy hours. Similar to Peets, each barista carefully "brew" to customize your drinks. In terms of quality, it's the best in Berkeley by far- kudos for sourcing REAL matcha from Uji. :) Parking was a challenge but I would come back again if I am in town. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Came in around 2:45pm on a Sunday and waited 25 minutes for my drink. The matcha latte on its own was $6.95 and they only had 2 options, oat milk or house-made cashew milk (+ $1.25). I chose cashew milk and my total came out to be $8.45. I wish there were more milk options. For the price, I really wanted to love my drink but I did not. Gorgeous green color and earthy flavor but the drink was grainy. I was expecting a smooth texture for the price and the hype. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Organic Matcha Latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Three tea bowls is back!! Back and better as forest tea bar!! They're still in their soft opening phase, and I was able to make it there ~1 hr before closing. They were pretty busy, but there's quite a bit of sitting area to wait for the drinks. The place itself is not huge, but it's very open and clean. Bigger than its original pop up location for sure though. There's some outdoor seating as well which is super cute. The people are also oh so sweet I ordered a regular matcha latte, no sweetener, no extra flavors. The matcha flavor was strong and umami. I personally prefer my matcha lattes creamy, so this was a bit too watery for my taste, but solid flavor. I especially love the varieties of matcha drinks. I don't think you can go wrong with any of their drinks tbh. Even the matcha with the wellness shot (ginger, tumeric..) was surprisingly really good haha read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Came here on a Saturday afternoon and ordered: (8/10) Hojicha latte - they only use plant based milk so I got mine with oat milk and no added sugar, I actually really liked the drink! A nice smooth taste and not bitter even with no sugar. We ordered on the kiosk, they have a limited selection including a matcha rose latte and some ice cream (not available the day we went). I spent over $7 on it and the portion size is smaller than other shops. Also knocked down a star because we waiting roughly 20 min in line and then another 30 min for the drink. There is seating, a couple outlets, and a bathroom inside, I love how the baristas make the drinks at the counter and they seem friendly and knowledgeable. If it wasn't for the number of people waiting, the interior is very calming. This place is certainly good but I wouldn't recommend coming here until the hype dies down. read more

Forest Tea Bar - Hojicha Latte - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

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On my second visit to Forest Tea Bar, I tried a hot hojicha latte, sweetened, with oat milk, and I liked it. In general, I've only liked hojicha once or twice and have been disappointed most times I have tried to find one I liked again. Perhaps getting it sweetened helped or just that Forest Tea Bar is so good at everything they do. I met up with a friend and we got there before opening again to line up so we didn't wait long for our drinks at all. It was even shorter for me than when I came the first time. Forest Tea Bar is still super popular and in it's soft opening with big demand so it was busy the entire time we were there with a line well out the door. Seats were taken as well. However, people were definitely shuffling in and out as they finished up or took their orders to go. Plus there is a little batch of outdoor seating so I'm not too concerned about finding a seat. I will keep you posted on my thoughts as I fulfill my goal of working my way through the whole menu. Once again, no changes in my opinion, I still love this place and highly recommend! Perfection! read more

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Pretty good matcha and the atmosphere is nice, lots of natural lighting. Seems like this is a good spot to work or study, but it's pretty packed right now. I waited about 35-40 minutes (1:30pm-2:20pm) to receive my three drinks. What I tried: - Genmaicha Matcha Latte: The matcha is subtle and the genmaicha shines a lot more. Very nutty and roasty from the rice. - Uji Matcha Latte: This was pretty light but very refreshing. I think this is great for a post lunch or afternoon treat. - Organic Matcha Latte: This was a bit clumpy, but surprisingly the strongest out of the three we tried. I would get this for a caffeine boost! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Love the clean and minimalist aesthetic here. Great place to get matcha drinks and other Japanese flavors. Non-dairy milk available. Ordering process is efficient. They have a screen that shows the order progress so you know where you're at in line and when to expect your order. Not a whole lot of seating in the area but there are several small tables/benches. Not good for large groups. read more

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It's really hard to find a good quality matcha spot that matches its hype on Instagram. We were glad to find that Forest tea bar does indeed live up it to online reputation. We got the matcha latte and the uji matcha was strong / high quality as promised. I wished they also had regular milk as an option as I'm not a fan of the additives in oat milk. Overall it was a good experience and the cafe is bright and airy with plenty of seating. Ordering was also a breeze with the touchscreen! read more

Forest Tea Bar - Tea Rooms Near Me - Berkeley, California

Excited to have a specialty matcha bar in the east bay! They're currently in soft opening so not everything in the menu is available but I can't wait till it does! I have my eye on that tofu soft serve! The wait is a little long, but totally understandable because they handwhisk everything! The standouts so far: genmaicha latte and the fact that the DEFAULT milk is oat!! YAY!! read more

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This place feels like a labor of love and a passion project for someone who really cares about excellent matcha. Arrived ten minutes after opening (11:10a) on Sunday and waited in line for about eight minutes to place my order at the kiosk. You can see the staff mixing each drink to order with lots of love and focus on each ingredient and step in the process. My order took 30 minutes to come out, but I didn't mind at all because there is nice outdoor seating to relax in and there is a screen that shows what drinks they're working on so you have an idea of when where you are in line. Default milk is oat (Califia barista blend) and only other option is house cashew. Excellent for any non-dairy friends. Hojicha latte - (hot) excellent flavor and texture. They use a lot of Hojicha so the texture is nice and thick. It's mixed beautifully too, especially for how much powder they use - it's the first time I got to the bottom of a drink and there were no lumps of unmixed powder at the bottom Black sesame matcha latte - (hot) black sesame flavor is so good, nutty and toasty. It does overpower the matcha though, so if you are looking for a stronger Matcha flavor, I would go with a different flavor drink. Also extremely well made, lots of attention to detail, I really enjoyed both drinks. Good job Forest Tea Bar team! Excited to come back read more