Coffee aficionados use all sorts of terminology to describe the subtle notes they detect in their favorite beans. “Full-bodied,” “earthy,” and “nutty” are all common adjectives one might hear at a cupping event. One other is “floral,” which captures both a taste and an aroma. In downtown Phoenix’s Heritage Square, Stemistry takes the floral aspect of coffee to another level by offering a flower shop and a coffee bar as a single business within the same space, combining both aspects of its operations in an historic carriage house near the Arizona Science Center.
Stemistry originated in north Scottsdale as the idea of a teenage wunderkind (or “wonder kid” to Ted Lasso fans) named Dylan Capshaw. The Heritage Square shop is a second, smaller store with a limited selection of flowers and a full spectrum of coffee beverages, as well as a few pastries and snacks, offered in the carriage house’s compact quarters. Although the address says Adams Street, Stemistry is tucked into a cluster of multiple historic buildings about a quarter mile from the Third Street / Jefferson and Third Street / Washington platforms on the A Line.
Stemistry’s small square footage, previously another coffee house, offers a few tables and a tiny counter. Hanging plants compliment the flowers sold by the stem on one side of the room. The most striking aspect of the decor is a split-flap display, also known as a Solari board, modeled after old-fashioned ones once found in train stations and airports. In this case, the updated sign displays various inspirational messages rather than arrivals and departures. Signs like these have become common in coffee shops and are even making a comeback at one train station.
Stemistry serves all the usual coffee and espresso drinks, along with an array of its own creations that reflect both its floral identity and its historic location. The Eliza Teeter, which bears the name of one of the originators of Heritage Square’s historic character, is a ginger turmeric chai latte, a blend of sweet and slightly spicy notes with tea and milk. An extensive listing of espresso-based lattes incorporate flavors like peanut butter, hibiscus, and ube, resulting in an assortment of coffee drinks as vibrant and colorful as one of the shop’s floral arrangements.
Acknowledging that for half the year cold beverages can be more appealing in a hot, dry climate, Stemistry also provides a range of frozen drinks such as an icy matcha latte and a chocolate peanut butter shake. In terms of food, Stemistry always has pastry on display and sometimes adds a few sandwiches. The cheesecake croissant is almost like a cannoli with a sweet, creamy filling barely contained within layers of flaky pastry. A molasses cookie has a bit of wintry spice accentuated by a lattice pattern of icing running back and forth on its surface.
A blueberry pop tart has a bold look with its bright blue top layer, but the texture was somewhat dry when sampled. For those who are more nutritionally minded, there are also some packaged food options like overnight oats in multiple flavors and sweets tailored to a keto diet in a refrigerated case at the counter. While a floral essence is only of many possible attributes associated with a good cup of coffee, Stemistry marries the concepts of coffee and floral arrangement in a quaint, urban environment that somehow seems well suited to both concepts.
618 E. Adams St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
https://www.stemistry.com
PHX Rail Food 