The quality of the espresso beans. The power of the flavorful powder. The diverse array of beverage choices from their menu. Their Caprese Sandwiches from the grab-and-go bar. The sweetened iced teas. Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is such an underrated establishment.

As a former barista of the chain, I am one of the biggest advocates and supporters of Coffee Bean. In fact, I believe its superior to Starbucks even, which I feel that in the category of coffee chains, is a bold statement. But the flavor is just so much more prominent, and the coffee is just stronger and less watered down. I also know the insider secrets of coffee bean, and I can attest that they only serve quality products.

One of my go to drinks while I worked there, especially when I was on the 4 a.m. opening shifts and needed something strong, was an Iced White Chocolate Americano, with extra scoop of powder and topped with iced coffee instead of water. It was strong strong.

However while home for Thanksgiving break, and visiting a Coffee Bean location for the first time in months, I forgot to mention a part of my order that I was so used to just making myself that I never thought to ask for, and it just was not the same.

I forgot to ask for an extra scoop of powder to contrast the strength of the bitter coffee taste, and the barista still mixed in water instead of extra coffee. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but I was also way past the point of saying something. Especially because I hated remaking drinks and messing up my order flow while I was a barista, so I try not to put that on others.