Hidden Gems: Meet Eric Caraig, Matt Kwong and Benson Tran of Pop ‘N Tea Bar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Caraig, Matt Kwong and Benson Tran.

Hi Eric, Matt, and Benson, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory. 
Pop ‘N Tea Bar was started by three friends who worked together at a successful up-and-coming boba shop in Southern California. They learned the business in and out and wanted to create their own concept, catered to a new generation. Together, they have over 35+ years of combined experience in making boba and crafting the finest drinks.

With a little luck and a lot of dedication to their dream, PNTB replaced the old florist in “My Florist Plaza” with a new life and a fresh outlook. With the owners big into design and flow and unwilling to cut corners, they crafted the brand and designed the store you see today.

The idea was started in 2016 and we officially opened our doors in January 2018. We want to create an atmosphere where everyone feels good and where our products would complement our customer’s daily lives.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Opening the business has been a huge learning experience and opportunity for us. We have faced many difficulties and numerous challenges along the way. When we first started, we created the Diamond Bar using 3D printing and spent over 100 hours working on prototypes to get the shape, feel, and taste just right. It was not easy to bring a vision to life from a drawing.

The most notable challenge was surviving post-Covid when the world went through an adjustment period to a new normal. We continue to feel some of these lasting effects today. As the years have passed by, different ingredients have changed or become hard to source as we refuse to compromise on quality. We’ve created many unique drinks along the way with our experience and hope to continue to innovate for years to come!

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Pop ‘N Tea Bar?
When we first started Pop ‘N Tea Bar we curated a drink menu with flavors and combos that have been successful in bringing something new and fun to the Valley. We brew all of our teas in-house and serve them through a tap system, something you’d typically only see at a brewery. We have a wide mix of drinks that are made with our in-house ingredients and full customization on sweetness.

We are most proud of our diamond bars which took us over two years to create from a drawing to the real deal. When you come to our shop, we are most proud of our staff who are friendly, inviting, and ready to assist in finding something that you will love!

Alright, so before we go, can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
We love to collaborate with all creatives. On our website, you can get a glimpse of some of our past projects. The best way to reach us is to simply email us or shoot us a DM on our Instagram: @popnteabar.phx. We frequently participate in community events and love meeting the people in the city.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.popntea.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popnteabar.phx/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/popnteabar/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pop-n-tea-bar-phoenix-2 

Image Credits
Matt Kwong
Benson Tran