Coffee, the global drink originally consumed in what is now Yemen, has become a crop in equatorial regions all over the world. While aficionados may deliberate over the merits of Ethiopian and Colombian beans, coffee appreciation has spread to virtually all cultures and continents, including the nations of east Asia. In downtown Mesa, Pair Cupworks celebrates the culture of coffee, as well as tea, through a lens of Asian influences, predominantly Japanese but also drawing upon the traditions of Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, and other nearby cultures.
black sesame latte
Pair is a business within a business. Like its neighbor Myke's Pizza, the coffee counter operates within the confines of Cider Corps, providing a morning and midday option that helps fill the seating before Cider Corps' own business picks up in the afternoon and evening. With that situation in mind, Pair is identified only by a small sandwich board sign on the sidewalk of Robson Street, a block-and-a-half from the Country Club / Main light rail station in downtown Mesa. Bike racks are found immediately outside the Cider Corps building along Robson.
crimson lishan tea and cherry bakewell
Once inside Cider Corps, walk to the back and look for Pair's small counter just to the left of Myke's. A menu display breaks down the selection into categories such as pour-over single origin coffees, espresso drinks, hot tea, and boba beverages, the newest category here. In fact, the addition of Mogwai Boba, a semi-separate entity with its own social media presence, creates a feeling of a business within a business within a business, a situation of nested layers that adds to the experience of finding small and surprising shops in Mesa's compact city center.
Forest Creature
At any given time, Pair will offer several different pour-overs from coffee crops around the world. Text on the menu describes the notes most commonly found in each one. Cold brew, cappuccino, and latte are classic choices, but a section designated "specials" is where Pair showcases its creativity. A black sesame latte has a subtle nutty taste while a spiced caramel one is a bit bolder yet still restrained in its sweetness. A Vietnamese latte adds the condensed milk familiar to anyone who has ever enjoyed cafe sua da in their favorite pho restaurant.
bourbon spice cider
Given the prominent role that tea plays in the cultures of Japan and other Asian nations, it is not surprising the beverage is given almost as much attention as coffee at Pair Cupworks. Matcha is available on its own in a traditional format, as well as part of a latte or served with sparkling water. Houjiacha, a roasted form of green tea from Japan, is also highlighted in a latte that has a bit of smokiness in contrast to the slightly grassy notes typically associated with matcha. Lishan, a variant of oolong tea with a slightly fruity essence, is often another choice on the tea menu.
blueberry scone and houjicha latte
The addition of boba to the tea selection might seem at first to be a detour into the sickeningly sweet world of sugar bomb drinks, but this latest venture has been handled with the same care as its original beverage choices. First, the boba from Mogwai is far more supple than what is found in most milk tea shops. It's still somewhat chewy, as boba should be, but easier to enjoy than most tapioca pearls. Likewise, the sugar level starts at what most places would likely consider half-sweet, allowing flavors like matcha and taro to permeate the colorful drinks.
almond peach croissant and ponyo tonic
While most of what Pair pours has at least some caffeine, there are occasional alternatives. A bourbon spiced cider offered during cooler weather has proven to be tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy all at the same time. When available, it can be enjoyed with or without coffee. The final aspect of the shop is a bit of solid food to accompany the drinks. Pastry from an outside supplier varies but often includes treats such as scones with big berries; flaky croissants with fillings like peaches; or bakewells, a slab of shortbread pastry underneath a layer of fruit and almonds.
Purple Lagoon
There are also sometimes breakfast burritos with eggs, salsa, and either potatoes or meat, that add a bit of Southwestern spice to the smooth coffee and tea drinks. Of course, it's also possible to combine aspects of Pair's menu with beverages from Cider Corps or food from Myke's Pizza or Brightside Burgers, a food truck now permanently parked on the premises. These businesses' hours do not always overlap, but when they do, they create a sort of cross-cultural coexistence not too different from the way in which coffee culture has conquered the world.
31 S. Robson, Mesa AZ 85210
http://www.paircupworks.com
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