Prismatic coffee: Proving that less is more
by brenda paiz
With familiar corporate coffee shops at every corner, it can be difficult to sip past the mediocrity of a prominent chain that carries your favorite “grande” specialty coffee. But as fast food chains have proven to teach us, convenience usually comes at a high price : lack of quality and passion. The next time you are craving a venti-something-with-extra-whip, I urge you to skip the drive-thru, sit down in an exquisitely designed space where you can enjoy a well crafted, thoughtfully roasted and simple cup of coffee.
Prismatic Coffee is unlike any coffee shop i’ve ever been to, and co-owner Loren Bunjes was quick to tell me why: “we are not a coffee shop, we are a craft coffee roasting company focused on sourcing, roasting and preparing coffee to be as good as we can make it.” And the proof is in the pudding, or the coffee in this case. Upon entering, coffee-goers may be thrown off by their four-item menu, sans syrups and size options, but after one visit, you will be wondering why you ever needed sugar and syrups in the first place. So what makes Prismatic so unique? The absolute passion and soul that has went into this place. Prismatic opened its doors in March of 2016, but the team, which consists of Bunjes, Grey Smith (lead roaster), and Tertia Gillett (founder) spent nearly a year planning before a location was even chosen.
“By the time we opened we were basically a full fledged coffee company. We were serving a house blend espresso, drip coffee blend and four single origin coffees on day one,” says Bunjes, who has been a fan of the craft beverage for almost 15 years. “Our goal is to hand you a drink that is perfect; with no need for alteration. We believe that coffee should only ever be a treat. It's a disservice to the many hands involved and to our planet to not cherish what we have.”
Prismatic Coffee has a tastefully modern design that manages to remain welcoming and warm, something that not all places can do. But again, the amount of effort that went into choosing even the geometric light bulbs that hang freely, do not compare to the amount of effort put into each cup of coffee that is served here.
“We built the company for the long haul. We want our coffee to be served in the best places not only in Albuquerque but all over the US,” explains Bunjes. “It is our intention to be served wherever coffee is held in high esteem, wherever people choose to find craft.”
If you haven't had the chance to check this place out, do yourself a favor and head over to the Sawmill Area to enjoy one of the best cups of coffee you will ever have.
Prismatic Coffee is located at 1761 Bellamah Ave. NW
Published March 2017, ABQ-Live