The Friend's Corner Blog
Guides to bubble tea, smoothies, coffee and Filipino treats from Friend's Corner Tea & Snack Bar on Main Street in Highland, NY. Whether you are ordering boba for the first time, curious about halo-halo or planning a day out in the Hudson Valley, start here.
What Is Halo-Halo? A Guide to the Filipino Shaved Ice Dessert
Shaved ice, milk, beans, fruit, jellies and ube all in one tall glass. Here is what halo-halo is, where it comes from and how to enjoy it.
Read articleSago't Gulaman: The Sweet Filipino Drink Explained
Brown sugar syrup, chewy sago pearls and cubes of gulaman jelly over ice. Meet the classic Filipino street cooler.
Read articleWhat Is Bubble Tea? A Beginner's Guide to Boba
Milk tea, fruit tea, smoothies and those chewy pearls. A simple introduction to bubble tea for first-timers.
Read articleThe Best Bubble Tea Flavors for First-Timers
Twenty-plus flavors and no idea where to start? These beginner-friendly picks make your first bubble tea an easy win.
Read articleTaro Bubble Tea: What It Tastes Like and Why It's Purple
Nutty, creamy and famously purple. Here is what taro bubble tea tastes like and how taro differs from ube.
Read articleThai Tea vs. Matcha Bubble Tea: Flavor, Caffeine and Color Compared
Bold, sweet and orange or earthy, smooth and green? A side-by-side look at two bubble tea favorites.
Read articleWhat Are Tapioca Pearls? How Boba Gets Its Chew
Cassava starch, brown sugar and a lot of boiling water. The story behind the chewy pearls at the bottom of your cup.
Read articleMango, Avocado or Passionfruit? A Guide to Our Fruit Smoothie Flavors
From tangy passionfruit to creamy avocado, here is how to pick the right smoothie for your mood.
Read articleWarm Up With Hot Milk Tea: Cozy Winter Drinks to Try
Cinnamon, vanilla rose, taro, red bean and chocolate matcha: the hot drinks that make Hudson Valley winters sweeter.
Read articleLatte vs. Cappuccino vs. Mocha: Espresso Drinks Explained
Same espresso, very different drinks. A clear guide to lattes, cappuccinos, mochas and americanos.
Read articleFilipino Merienda: A Guide to the Afternoon Snack Tradition
Ensaymada, siopao, turon and a cold glass of sago gulaman. An introduction to the Filipino snack break.
Read articleThings to Do in Highland, NY: A Local Day Out With a Drink Stop
The Walkway Over the Hudson, the rail trail, farm stands and a bubble tea break on Main Street. Plan your day in Highland.
Read articleReady for a Drink?
Browse the full menu of bubble tea, smoothies, hot drinks, coffee and Filipino specialties, then order ahead for carryout or curbside pickup.
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