By Emma Rosenbaum
Sports Editor
Costa students are always looking for the hot new place whether it be the not-so-mainstream hangout, the cozy coffee shop or even just a place to go after the beach. The Tea Exchange offers a new venue for people of all ages and necessities.
Recently opened at the end of the summer by Craig Boeslen and Kris Gaines, the Tea Exchange is a tea shop on the outside border of the Metlox complex in downtown Manhattan Beach. There is only one other Tea Exchange in existence, located in Lake Arrowhead, which is 90 miles east of Los Angeles.
Its menu offers not only a variety of different types of teas but also coffee drinks, shaken iced teas and “frosty blended specialties.”
“We have many items on our menu but the favorites are the teas. We import teas from South America, South Africa, China and India and in many cases we will blend our own teas,” Boelsen said.
A variety of teas such as black tea, oolong tea, green tea, white tea, rooibos, yerba mate, herbal tea and healthy living teas can be purchased by the cup or by the bag.
Several of the teas serve different purposes and employees are knowledgeable about which ones are right for their customers’ specific needs.
“All teas have zero calories unless you add sugars or flavors to them. But there can be specific functions performed by different types of teas,” Boelsen said.
“Green teas have been shown to help the immune system because of the amount of antioxidants. Certain types of oolong teas have been shown to cause weight loss. More information on the teas we offer can be found at our stores. All of our employees are well-versed in the teas.”
For those who are not interested in teas, coffees, or blended drinks, the Tea Exchange also offers several different types of cookies, nutrition bars and panini. These are made to order and they give the customer a choice of what bread, meat, cheese and spread they would like on their personalized gourmet sandwich.
“My favorite part of the Tea Exchange is how you can choose what to put in your own panini. They are delicious and aren’t that expensive,” junior Ben Schwartz said.
In combination with the multiple options found on the menu, different teas are also offered as free samples.
“Whenever I go there, I always get the Moroccan Mint Green Tea. I tried it as one of the samples and now it’s my favorite drink,” junior Alex Rosen said.
In addition to attracting Costa students as a large source of customers, several students also currently work there part time or worked there during this past summer.
“It really has something for everyone like tea, coffee, smoothies and pastries and is an extremely unique place in Manhattan Beach. I personally love tea more than coffee, so it is really a treat to work there every weekend,” junior Madison Baldo said.
The Tea Exchange provides a light atmosphere with green and white walls and, to add a beachy, local feeling, pictures of waves and oceans reverberating with a calm flow.
Inside the store, wi-fi is available at several tables and chairs that are set up inside and out on the sidewalk. These add up to create a great place for silent work or study sessions for many Mira Costa students.
“I always love finding different places to work where I can concentrate better. The Tea Exchange is great for just that, and I can eat something yummy while studying,” sophomore Meghan Burns said.
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