Have you ever heard of Cuban coffee? It is not a simple drink, but a true ritual of sweetness rooted in Cuban culture. Thanks to its intense and sweet flavour, it has become famous among coffee lovers all over the world, and its preparation is a (simple!) art worth discovering.
Over the course of the next few lines, we will explore together what Cuban coffee is, how it is made, the original recipe and its variations, to bring a touch of Cuba directly into your cup.
And remember: if you want to drink good coffee… you should do it with the right machine! Discover the right coffee machine for you.
What is Cuban coffee
Cuban coffee is one of the most representative drinks of Cuban culture, known for its intense flavour and unique sweetness. It is an espresso prepared by adding brown sugar directly in the extraction phase of the coffee. This simple but special process results in a drink with a full, caramelised flavour and a velvety texture that captivates the palate at the first sip.
Originating in Cuba with the arrival of the French colonists, who first brought coffee to the island, Cuban coffee soon became an essential part of the inhabitants’ daily lives. It is not just a matter of taste: it is a social ritual, a moment of meeting and conviviality that reflects the warmth and welcome of the Cuban people. In short, as we have said, Cuban coffee is not just a drink, but a symbol of the local culture, perfect for those who love an intense and pleasantly sweet coffee.
In terms of characteristics, Cuban coffee, also called cafecito on the Caribbean Island, is actually similar to the Italian espresso. We are talking about a strong, aromatic and extremely tasty coffee. Frequenting local bars, when you are in company, you can request a colada accompanied by several glasses. By doing so, you will receive a jug full of Cuban coffee, ready to be enjoyed with friends.
How Cuban coffee was born
The history of Cuban coffee starts in the mid 18th century: French colonists, fleeing the Haitian revolution, first brought coffee to Cuba. Over the next centuries, the coffee industry became popular throughout the country, even reaching yields of 20,000 tonnes per year.
From the second half of the 1900s, however, crops began to decline dramatically. From 1962 onwards, due to both the US embargo and the fall of the Soviet Union, Cuban coffee ceased to have the same appeal it once had.
On the Cuban island, coffee production regained strength during the early 2000s. For the past 20 years or so, Cuba has been producing and exporting its organically and sustainably grown coffee to countries such as France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom.
How to prepare Cuban coffee
Cafecito, or Cuban coffee if you prefer, is as tasty as it is simple to prepare. The only ingredients required are:
- 14-18 grams of ground coffee.
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.
At this point, you mix the two tablespoons of brown sugar together with the ground coffee, before placing everything inside a simple coffee pot. At this point, turn on the heat and, in the end, you will get an aromatic and sweet coffee. We recommend serving the coffee in a 50 ml espresso cup. Enjoy your coffee!
Variants of Cuban coffee
Like any product that becomes extremely popular, Cuban coffee has also been modified in order to obtain numerous variations, always very popular with Cubans themselves. Among the most popular is cortadito: this is a mix made by combining cortado, typical of Latin countries, with Cuban coffee. Compared to cortado, cortadito is typically sweeter and slightly tighter.
Another variant, in great demand throughout the country and beyond, is café con leche. This is simply the classic cup of coffee, accompanied by milk (which is usually served on the side).
In short, Cuban coffee involves an extremely simple recipe, but offers a sweet and tasty result. For this reason, the cafecito has become popular all over the world.
We at Pontevecchio like all types and variations of coffee. This is because we have always been involved in the production of lever espresso machines, dedicating all our experience to every aspect of coffee extraction.
Our lever espresso machine models are suitable for the preparation of both traditional espresso and Cuban coffee. So, as we have already suggested, all you have to do is choose the lever machine you prefer and enjoy your coffee!
