Food News: The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Begins the Season of Giving with the 2013 Giving Journal

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf recently released its new 2013 Giving Journal, rewarding loyal customers with the gift of making a difference with the new edition. More than just a planner, the new edition features special sections on giving back, sharing compassion , celebrating kindness and finding joy in the act of giving. And as the holiday season approaches, there's no better time to start the season of giving.   

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf has long supported charities, foundations, schools, and other organizations, reinforcing the Brand's core values built on a noble foundation of compassion. The 2013 Giving Journal was developed to celebrate the strong relationships the Brand has nurtured over the years with selected partner organizations and to raise awareness on local advocacies supported by CBTL. In fact, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf will be dedicating proceeds from the Giving Journal to the Real LIFE Foundation, an NGO involved in providing access to education for underprivileged children.

The corporate culture and values seem to permeate the entire CBTL system, and one can feel some positive vibes in its newest outlet at Robinson's Magnolia. Just the spot to have your favorite CBTL brew. 

The new 2013 Giving Journal is available in light and dark earthy burlap covers, but the best parts are found inside the covers. A cool "Tap a Shoulder Tracker" records and tracks the ways you give each month. A Gift-giving cheat sheet for your closest friends is also included. You can even go a step further. A Coffee Tree page provides you, and your friends, the opportunity to join a volunteer community and give back, and upon submission of the page at any CBTL outlet, a special treat awaits you. You will also find CBTL's continuing commitment with selected partners consistent with the current "Give In to Giving" campaign in the pages, which is both reassuring and quite inspiring.

Then there are single use coupons which you can use for additional treats every time you visit The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Bring your planner and share a treat with a friend at CBTL. 

Getting the new 2012 Giving Journal is simple and easy, just visit any of the 50 CBTL stores nationwide to get the stamp card and start filling it up. A minimum singe-receipt purchase of any Original Ice Blended, Coffee-based, Tea-based Beverage, or Frozen Swirl, qualifies you to get a stamp card. Each card consists of 12 stamp boxes with corresponding drink assignments. Once the 12 stamp boxes are filled, you can redeem your brand new planner. And since there are only 12 boxes to fill, CBTL made it a lot easier to redeem a planner, which you can, in turn, give to special friends. You can then begin your own cycle of giving. Very cool.

Along with the planner, CBTL also introduced a new line of menu items just for the holidays. The Red Velvet Hot Cocoa (also available ice blended), a rich, creamy milk-based beverage without any espresso or hint of coffee.

The sweetness adds to the festive feeling of the coming holidays, great for kids too.

And the best way to enjoy the new holiday beverage is to pair it with some of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf's new holiday desserts.

CBTL's delectable new offerings for the holiday season include (L-R) the Chocolate Caramel Fudge, the Raspberry Chocolate Cake and the Rhum Cake.

If you enjoy chocolate, go for the Chocolate Caramel Fudge, with rich caramel and fudge layered between moist chocolate cake. For a more festive flavor, go for the Chocolate Raspberry Cake. Almost like the familiar black forest, the Chocolate Raspberry gives a nice burst of raspberry flavor with every bite. And the Rhum Cake, if you like the flavor of alcohol-infused desserts, perfect with a good cup of coffee. 

And if you're looking for a bolder flavor, go for the Chocolate Fudge Espresso Con Panna, with rich chocolate fudge and topped with whipped cream, a nice, robust and sweet shot to start or end the day.

The holiday season is definitely here, and its great to be reminded by the true spirit of the season with every cup at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. 

Now with over 50 outlets nationwide, you can get a taste of an early Christmas at your nearest CBTL outlet.

As I left The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, I had a nice, light feeling, maybe it was the sugar rush, or perhaps inspired by CBTL's passion of giving, or maybe both. But it felt good. On my way home to fill up some gas at my usual gas station, I noticed the same young flower vendor sitting by the side, a sight I have often ignored. But not that night. After filling up, I entered the station's convenience store and got a hotdog and soda. That night, the sampaguita vendor didn't make a sale with me, but I hope she enjoyed the hot dog and soda...and while its still way too early to mark this on the "Tap a Shoulder Tracker" of CBTL's Giving Journal, for me the season of giving began that night. 

CBTL's Monica Esacalona, Business Development Manager and Alexi Bautista, Interactive Marketing Manager, presenting CBTL's holiday season program. The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf will be celebrating its 50th year globally, as well as ten years of presence in the country. Here's to more years of delicious moments and giving back...and thanks for reminding me again about the season for giving.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is located at the 2nd Level of Robinson's Magnolia, Dona M. Hemady Avenue, Valencia, Quezon City or visit their website at www.coffeebean.com.ph for more details.

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