Newer Coffee Shops


 

No matter how many I visit I still love finding and trying new coffee shops. Some of them have been around for a while and are new to me, while others are newer businesses. Recently on my explorations I have been lucky enough to discover 2 newer coffee shops in the Albuquerque area. Both are unique in their offerings, and I am glad to have discovered and tried both.

Chicky’s Coffee: This coffee shop/roaster is located off the beaten path in Bernalillo on Camino del Pueblo in a small strip mall. But inside is a small shop where the coffee is roasted on sight, and they also offer freshly made drinks. What makes this shop particularly great is that the walls are adorned with local artwork, and the roaster out in the open amongst the tables. Of course, the other reason this shop is great is the coffee. The freshly roasted beans for sale are from all over the world, but my favorite is the Sumatra roast. It is full bodied, rich, with a slightly earthy flavor, and very smooth with each sip. It seems like I always leave with a bag of it when I come here. As far as drinks are concerned, I am a huge fan of the marshmallow latte. This is the only shop where I have seen this flavor offered, and I was hesitant at first, but now I am converted. It has a subtle vanilla flavor and is not that sweet. Bernalillo used to be a town I would drive through without paying much attention, but because of places like Chicky’s it serves as a reminder to always look out for the hidden gems in any town. I am glad I stopped and tried their coffee, and if you are in the area, you would be too.

Roots New Mexico: While this is technically a shop that supports local artisans and sells cocktail kits, and plants it is their coffee that brings me in. While they also have locations in Ruidoso and Golden, Colorado their new store front in Old Town is the one I go to. I first discovered and met them at the Coffee and Chocolate Festival, and soon after that I had to pay them a visit in Old Town. Now, I am typically not a fan of flavored coffee, but Roots has changed my mind on that. Their Biscochitto flavor has become one of my new go to options, as it tastes just like the iconic cookie with a cup of coffee. The cinnamon and anise have great flavor all complimented with a little bit of sweetness. I have tried it both hot and iced, and I love it both ways. They also have a Mexican Chocolate flavor that is equally as delicious. This is a richer cup of coffee because of the chocolate, but it is balanced out by the little spice from the cinnamon and chile. In addition to flavored coffees Roots also carries coffees that have been aged in barrels. They offer one aged in a scotch, cabernet, and rye barrel. These are all delicious, indulgent, and worth trying. Roots is a great addition to an already great coffee scene that exists in Old Town, and one I would highly recommend stopping by next time you are in the plaza.

 Coffee shops like this serve as a reminder to not be afraid to go off the beaten path, and always pay attention to what is around you. Had I not I never would have discovered either of these places. It is a reminder that when exploring it is just as important to not be afraid to try something new. Because of these constant reminders to myself I have found two new great coffee shops that I love visiting, and, I have even more great coffee in my house.

To see photos of my adventures follow me on Instagram at the_nm_tx
To support my adventures and see exclusive content check out www.patreon.com/thenmtx

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tap N Taco

Image
  When I first made the decision to move down here there were several things I was excited about. But near the top of the list was food, and to be more specific the great Mexican food. So how lucky was I to discover a place in Rio Rancho that not only serves great tacos, but also quesadillas, and has a great bar on the inside serving specialty cocktails, and craft beer? The answer is very lucky, and with a great variety to choose from at very affordable prices one of the great taco places I’ve tried is Tap N Taco. Located on Highway 528 in an old fast-food restaurant this place is worth seeking out. There is ample seating on the inside, as well as a beautiful outdoor patio with picnic tables for those beautiful New Mexico days. All the food is prepared right in front of you as you order, and the prices are all the same. $2.00 tacos, $6.00 quesadillas, and $7.00 baked potatoes/French fries. There are also five different proteins to choose from including al pastor, barbacoa, carne ...
Read more

Steel Bender Brewyard

Image
  New Mexico is a state that like many others loves their craft beer, and the variety of places to go continues to grow. Not only do a lot of these breweries produce a variety of high-quality beers, but also high-quality foods. One of the first places I discovered in Albuquerque was actually in Los Ranchos where if you blink you will drive right by it. But keep an eye out because it is totally worth the visit for a bite or pint. Of course, the I am talking about Steel Bender Brewyard, a brewery that embodies a strong sense of the community around them. When you first drive up you find yourself in disbelief of how large this building is. With the massive branded silo that lets you know you found the right place. The inside is just as big with its large bar, and ample seating, but the place to sit is on its patio. With small tables for intimate groups, or large picnic tables for big groups the patio is far enough back that the traffic isn’t a bother, and guests can relax with a pin...
Read more

Coffee Tasting

Image
  Anybody that has followed this page knows that I love coffee and visiting local coffee shops. One of my favorite shops to visit though has been Castle Coffee and their roastery Cornerstone where they take coffee to a new level in terms of fermentation, anaerobic coffees, and flavor profiles. This is not the cup of coffee that most people are used to, instead it is craft coffee. Recently I had the chance to do a coffee tasting with their owner and roaster where we tried the same coffee with 4 different brewing methods, and the taste and differences were amazing and eye opening. The coffee of the day was the Natural Honduras, a naturally fermented bean with notes of cherry, purple grape, and honey. The brewing methods were pour-over, Aeropress, immersion, and cupping. The first method was using the Aeropress which I was not familiar with, but it uses a plunger and pressure to separate the steeped grounds from the end coffee. This produced a very well-rounded cup of coffee. The co...
Read more