Although I couldn't get Phong to reveal his magical recipe in its entirety, he did have two words for me: butterfly pea (flower). I found out that butterfly pea can be bought as a powder or a concentrate form and is derived from a stunning indigo-colored flower that has been growing and vining buildings in Burma and Thailand for thousands of years.
Don't fret if you aren't in the Los Angeles area and can't make it to Pearl's Finest Teas. Below, you'll find my notes from observing Phong making the famous orange yuzu. And if you are in the LA area, come early November, there will be a whole new set of rainbow teas for your sipping and Instagramming pleasure.
While Phong is not a chemist, he calls himself a "tea tender" and can make any drink for you based on your flavor preference, even mood, without it even being on the menu. If you ask me, I'd say he's more of a tea and coffee whisperer.
