COCONUTS HOT SPOT – With the opening of Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters last week, finding a good café in Thonglor became remarkably easier. The venerable Chiang Mai institution is a magnet for caffeine-addicted northerners, who go for its top-notch, single-origin beans – some of which it imports directly from growers abroad.
When I visited Pacamara’s latest outpost I found a dizzying selection of freshly roasted beans, including mixes from Guatemala, Panama, Ethiopia, Burundi and Yemen. Opened bags are available for smelling at the front of the bar, and Pacamara’s knowledgeable baristas are always on hand to answer questions about the beans.
For drip coffee (THB85), Pacamara uses the manually operated Kalita Wave brewer. Unlike the more commonly found Hario V60 and Chemex, which is funnel-shaped, the Kalita Wave is flat-bottomed with three holes. The idea is that this promotes an even extraction, and thus a clean and balanced cup.
Unlike some cafes that feature quality equipment but lack the chops to use it, the quick and exacting skill of my barista at Pacamara dispensed with any concerns I had. (One special touch I appreciated was the way he poured hot water into my cup, to heat the ceramic before serving the coffee).
If you’re a coffee nerd who is into unique preparation methods, you might want to ask for the Aeropress, a tube-like plunge-press that creates a concentrated coffee extract. When consumed straight up, its concentrated flavor shares some similarities with espresso; watered down with hot water, it becomes similar to a more intense drip coffee. Traditionally, paper filters are used with the Aeropress. At Pacamara, however, they employ a special third-party metal disk produced by Able Brewing. The result is a fuller and oilier cup of coffee – think French-press, except a touch lighter.
Espresso fans need not fear. Everything from single and double shots, macchiatos, ristrettos, piccolo lattes and affogotos are available, ranging from THB60-85. In addition to the standard whole milk, Pacamara also offers low fat and soy. All of these drinks are prepared via their Slayer, an espresso machine that allows a skillful barista to make an infinite number of adjustments in pressure (and thus in taste) as they’re pulling a shot.
During the day Pacamara provides overflow seating in Ana Garden, the Thai restaurant with which it shares space. Unfortunately, the only air conditioning provided is in the compact coffee bar, which means you’ll have to stay there or take your drink to go if you want to enjoy a hot coffee without overheating yourself. Or – if you must – you could order your drink iced.
FIND IT
Pacamara Boutique Coffee Roasters
On Thonglor, near Soi 3 (Ana Garden Restaurant)
No phone number
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James Yu is a freelance writer and editor. You can follow him on instagram @jamcyu and tumblr.
