THE NEW AMERICAN DREAM.

OUR STORY

From White Coats

to Aprons

Chris and Daniel, childhood friends, dance teammates, and pharmacists, both grew up in different parts of Chicago as some of the only Asian kids in their schools. Searching for a connection to their culture, they found confidence and community in boba (bubble tea) shops—a place that helped them embrace their Asian American identity.

While both achieved the immigrant “American Dream” of becoming doctors, they now want to forge their own path by creating a space that bridges cultures and fosters community. This led to founding Amber Agave, a boba café that’s already made a splash at pop-ups and catering events around Chicagoland. Now, they expanded into their first brick-and-mortar location in the Wicker Park neighborhood—a welcoming destination for people of all backgrounds.

To them, boba is more than just a drink; it’s a cultural phenomenon uniting people from all walks of life. Their café aims to offer a space where everyone can enjoy delicious drinks/bites and connect with diverse cultures, cultivating a true sense of belonging.

We are building on the success of immigrant parents, creating a mixed cultural identity and challenging old stereotypes.

OUR MISSION

Uniting communities through culture and creativity

We champion diversity and inclusion by evolving what boba represents, a drink made for anyone, anywhere. Our purpose is to change the way Americans consume beverages, reinterpreting a “foreign” drink into an experience about history, identity, and innovation.

OUR VALUES

The Pillars that take us beyond the cup, one sip at a time

  • We place our commitment to communities at the center of all we do by learning from our customers, sharing our knowledge, and providing a harmonious space for people to share their stories.

  • We believe culture is at the core of creating strong, vibrant communities. We connect over our shared culture and celebrate the different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences that make us unique.

  • We welcome new ideas and embrace a curiosity-driven approach that enables us to remain agile, open-minded, and responsive to challenges with imaginative solutions.

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Why Amber Agave?

Amber is a bright, warm color midway between yellow and orange. It represents the spectrum of colors found in the two main ingredients of boba: tea and tapioca balls. And deliberately, to connect it back to the owners profession as pharmacists, as they dispense medication in amber vials.

Agave is a desert plant harvested to make a sweet nectar. Agave nectar is vegan, organic and sweeter than sugar, making it a natural alternative and less can be used for the same effect. It has potential health benefits and is thinner in consistency than honey, thus more soluble in liquids. We plan on using agave nectar as the sweetener in our beverage and, fittingly, it is also amber in color.

  • Agave nectar is 1.4 times as sweet as sugar, so less can be used to achieve the same.

    Reduce calories without sacrificing sweetness.

  • Agave contains less glucose, so has a lower GI value than table sugar and honey. It is absorbed slower into the bloodstream, which means that it is less likely to cause blood sugar spikes.

    It is still recommended that you consume it in moderation.

  • Agave does not have the bitter aftertaste of other natural and artificial sweeteners. Depending on the grade, it can have a mild neutral to medium caramel flavor.

    The versatile and rich sweetness makes it the perfect addition to boba.

  • Agave is a natural plant-based sweetener and alternative to honey. The nectar comes from the sap produced from the agave plant, which is native to the Americas.

  • Grown under organic methods and extraction is achieved through a completely natural process. Certified by the OFPA, NOP, OK Kosher, and non-GMO Project.

    Natural, organic, rich flavors you can trust.