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Aug 31, 2023

A Boba Girl, in a Boba World

Santa Fe, we need to talk about boba. The squishy tapioca balls have been widely

Santa Fe, we need to talk about boba. The squishy tapioca balls have been widely available elsewhere in America—particularly on both coasts—for years, and in Taiwan since at least the 1980s. But as with many pop culture touchpoints, the 505 is fashionably late to the bubble tea party. So for many, the sudden renaissance of boba shops (read on for our list of purveyors) promises either a reunion with a much-missed treat or a baffling new textural adventure.

Kyomi Franco-Abeyta fell into the latter category when she got hooked on the drink while visiting California. But she developed such a passion that she soon taught herself to make the pearls from scratch—going on to found Mizu's Boba Tea Spot in December 2022. And, she did so at just 12 years old.

"We were all scared to try it," Franco-Abeyta recalls of her first bubble tea. "I’ve always wanted to work in a café. I was like, ‘It would be cool if we had our own place in Santa Fe.’ When I said that it was like he sparked."

The Franco-Abeyta family looks forward to their shop's first summer. (Siena Sofia Bergt)

Franco-Abeyta's parents Jose Franco and Audrey Abeyta wholeheartedly backed their daughter's passion, handling the paperwork and securing the storefront. But the business vision is all Kyomi's, from the free stickers at the register to the monthly raffle for reusable cups (a program prompted by her school's climate change curriculum). She trains staff herself too, describing the delicate process of boiling and rolling tapioca flour she mastered at home. And if that sweetness wasn't already overwhelming, Franco-Abeyta even named Mizu's after the family dog.

"Mizu does not like people, but it's because she had a hard beginning," Franco-Abeyta explains. "We got her from a household that abused her, broke her jaw."

"But when we’re at home, we say, ‘Mizu, you’re famous!’" Audrey adds.

Mizu the pup will likely never visit her namesake café. But you can expand your summer drink palate with help from Mizu's humans (particularly on Sunday afternoons, when Franco-Abeyta is usually in the shop). And as you explore our town's ever-expanding boba options, newbies can venture forth with a piece of advice from Santa Fe's youngest bubble entrepreneur. Get your first pearls with a lighter drink base, like Thai tea—too much ice and you won't appreciate the softness of the warmed tapioca.

Boba Tea Company: The only business on our list with more locations out of state, this Southside purveyor is notable for a surreally risqué menu. Razzle Dazzle Nuditea with extra Bottoms, anyone?

Santa Fe Place Mall 4250 Cerrillos Road, Ste. 1138 (505) 473-4253

Bubble King: While Game of Thrones fans will find their eyes drawn to the Mother of Dragons tea, we argue the highlight here is a pastel-colored and bubble-covered interior that makes you feel like a human tapioca pearl sitting in a giant cup.

1722 St. Michael's Drive, Ste. D (858) 212-6149

Dumpling Tea: For those who prefer to slurp sweet drinks with savory broth, this joint keeps boba options simple (regular or Thai tea) to balance out their abundant selection of buns and bowls.

66 E San Francisco St., #10 (646) 945-5000

Mizu's Boba Tea Spot: Beyond the fresh teas, Mizu's homegrown story, puppy namesake and middle school founder take the cake for overall chibi-ness. That's a major part of the boba appeal.

1700 St. Michael's Drive, Ste. A118 (505) 690-7081

NM Scoops: This spot draws on its dual status as café and ice cream counter for flavor inspirations like eggnog milk tea, piña colada and boba mangonada.

66 E San Francisco St., #18

Paradise Boba: We love a women-owned business, especially when the ladies in question name their tea bases after anime characters. And we’re betting the boba fan/anime nerd Venn diagram involves plenty of overlap.

199D Paseo De Peralta (505) 930-5924