If you are a fan of Cuban coffee, then you are a fan of Cuban culture. Cuban coffee is the product of a rich legacy of passionate coffee makers and coffee drinkers.
We urge you to learn more and try! This is a creamy, sweet coffee people with a sweet tooth will adore. If you don’t have any Cuban coffee accessible to you, don’t worry! You can try these Cuban coffee brands to brew one at home.
*There’s only one Cuban coffee you can purchase on Amazon, while the rest is through the Cuba Directo website. Please scroll down for our best Cuban coffee list.
Top 3 Pick from our review
Cuban coffee
Cuban coffee beans produce java that has a strong flavor. It is roasted dark and finely ground and best prepared in the form of espresso. Thus, it’s a plus if you have an espresso machine at home. If not, a Moka pot also works well.
This coffee is similar to Spanish- and Italian-style coffee, sometimes called Cafe Cubano. Although this is a strong coffee, it is typically paired with a lot of sugar whipped into a crema called “espuma.”
Cuban coffee houses some bitterness due to the toasted chickpeas. However, the combination of whipped sugar and little coffee creates the lovely thick frothy cap. Did you know that a Cuban individual is only allowed 4 ounces every month due to scarcity of supply? That’s crazy!
History
José Antonio Gelabert brought the first ever coffee plant to Cuba in the mid-18th century. The origin of the plant is the Dominican Republic. A few decades later, Cuban coffee was available only locally until French farmers fleeing Haiti adopted the production method in 1791.
Cuban coffee has kept on rising to fame since then. By the time the mid-20th century came, 20,000 metric tons of Cuban coffee were being exported yearly. Early Cuban plantations even earned a spot on the list of UNESCO World Heritage.
In 1956, the Cuban revolution ensued. Coffee farms were nationalized, resulting in large farms’ dissolution while small farms were discouraged. When the US placed an embargo on Cuban goods in 1962, the Cuban coffee industry continued to fall.
But to our advantage, the Cuban coffee industry stayed resilient and survived several decades of hardships. By 2007, Cuban coffee production had decreased to just under 200 metric tons. But with the help of the government’s investment, the industry recovered and is now producing 3,500 metric tons of Cuban coffee every year.
Beans
More than 90% of the Cuban coffee beans are grown and sourced in the Sierra Maestra mountains. Most of the supply comes from small family farms that produce organic beans. The red Cuban soil and the climate in the mountains give this coffee the distinct taste it boasts of. Cuban beans are available in both Arabica and Robusta.
Cuban coffee-growing regions
- Eastern Cuba along the Sierra Maestra
- Mountains of Escambray
- Guaniguanico
- Mountains of Sagua-Baracoa
Factors stopping the progress of Cuban coffee industry
- Poor transport due to poor road
- Extreme weather conditions of drought seasons followed by heavy rainfalls
Common types of Cuban coffee
Cortadito
A Cortadito is made from an espresso shot with steamed (or condensed) milk poured on top. Similar to a Cortado.
Café con leche
As the name suggests, this is coffee mixed with hot milk. Locals enjoy this by serving café Cubano and a cup of hot steamed milk separately.
Colado
Colados are simply café Cubanos prepared in big amounts to serve a group. Traditionally, it is put in a big vessel with small cups on the side for each guest to enjoy.
Best Cuban coffee brands
Take note that authentic Cuban coffee brands are hard to come by. Even in the US. At most, we can recommend some alternatives you can try. So if you’re in the US or anywhere without access to real Cuban coffee, you better skip this part and scroll straight to the alternative recommendations!
But lo and behold, here are the top Cuban coffee brands:
Cubita
This is our best pick, undoubtedly. Cubita is the epitome of Cuban coffee. It is made of 100% Arabica beans in the Sierra Maestra mountains. These are carefully hand-picked and sun-dried. They are roasted in Havana, the country’s capital.
This coffee houses earthy and bold flavors with hints of smokiness. The overall flavor is on the caramel side, and it is indeed delicious! Unfortunately, there are a lot of knockoffs of this brand from Amazon, and other merchants, so beware!
Cafe Serrano
Cafe Serrano is made of 100% Arabica beans and is grown in the Cuban mountains. This is roasted medium with that satisfying smooth and creamy feel. It also houses some fruity notes.
Montecristo
Montecristo is a famous cigarette in the country, and this is where this coffee is named after. Why may you ask? It’s because this coffee has some tobacco hints with some smoky and caramel flavors. The beans are grown in a small coffee plant in Alto Le Meseta.
Turquino Montanes
Turquino Montanes is roasted dark and is made of 100% Arabica. It has a creamy and rich profile with lovely honey undertones.
El Arriero
This may already be a drill but let me repeat it: this is another brand that uses 100% Arabica beans. El Arriero is organically grown with a coffee that’s smoky and bold. With its medium body, you’d find a pretty balanced cup.
Cohiba Atmosphere
Cohiba is a world-famous luxury cigarette brand, and they later ventured into the coffee. Indeed, they stand true to their luxurious reputation even through their coffee. It is 100% Arabica beans grown in the El Nicho plantation in Sierra del Escambray mountains. So, if you love some cocoa undertones with a lovely aroma, you should try this one. Well, if you actually get your hands on it.
Cuban coffee alternatives you can buy
As discussed, Cuban coffee is not the easiest thing to source. However, if you badly want to try one, here are some alternatives that come close.
Supreme by Bustelo Whole Bean Espresso Coffee
This coffee from Supreme makes a wonderful café con Leche. It’s roasted dark, but you can adjust the grind to match your preferred taste. It is the leading alternative for a reason. It is a little weaker than Cuban coffee, but this is the way to go for beginners who want to try to taste something similar.
Pros
- Lovely aroma
- Distinct flavor
- Rich body
- Gourmet
- Fresh
Con
- Pricey
Mayorga Organic Café Cubano
This comes in a unique syrup-like texture. It also boasts of a full-bodied flavor. Mayorga Organics Café is a dark roast coffee that’s more robust. The beans aren’t too oily in a good way. This is a good start if you want to ease your way into the darkness of Cuban coffee. Buying a one-pound pack is quite pricey, but the more you buy, the more the price decreases. But of course, you’d want to try one first!
Pros
- Delicious
- Distinct signature Latin roast
- 100% USDA Organic
- Non-GMO
- Direct Trade
Cons
- Pricey
Café Bustelo Coffee Espresso
Café Bustelo Coffee Espresso is a great pre-ground alternative. It is roasted dark and is the best-prepared espresso. But, it will work just fine with other brewing methods. Coffee aficionados describe this as less robust than a classic espresso but still leave a bitter aftertaste. You may cream, sugar, and even frothed milk!
Pros
- Espresso-style
- Versatile brew
- Pre-ground
Cons
- Bitter aftertaste
- Weak aroma
Café La Llave Espresso
Café La Llave is a finely ground, ready-to-make coffee. It has a chocolate flavor with a sweet aroma and hints of boldness. The signature dark roast variant is delicious but takes note that it may be too much for a starter. A great thing about this is that it’s budget-friendly, so you can easily decide to try it!
Pros
- 100% pure coffee
- Affordable
- Intense aroma
Cons
- Smoky aftertaste
- Non-resealable packaging
Pilon Gourmet Whole Bean Restaurant Blend Espresso Coffee
If you want some strong punch, this one is it! It’s a rich and dark Cuban-style java. However, it has a bitter aftertaste that may throw you off if you don’t prefer that. It’s also quite pricey!
Pros
- Robust
- Fares well with sugar and cream
- Creamy
- Freshly roasted
Cons
- Expensive
- Bitter aftertaste
Naviera Cuban Style Coffee
Naviera Coffee has been around for 95 years, with its operations running in Tampa, Florida. They used to operate a coffee shop, but unfortunately, it closed. But lucky for us because their coffee is available online! This Cuban-style coffee is strong with a chicory hint.
Pros
- Affordable
- Clean taste
- Rich and smooth
- Robust
Con
- Distinct woody taste
Chock Full o’Nuts Cuban Roast
Chock Full o’Nuts Cuban Roast is a great ground coffee option. You might find yourself loving this coffee with its sweet hints and bright aroma. It is made of premium Colombian beans and is Kosher-certified. It also conveniently comes in a steel can to lock in the freshness and easy storage. This is dark and strong, so if you love your coffee bold, you might want to try this one.
Pros
- 100% premium coffee beans
- Complex profile
- Bold, dark, and robust
- Kosher- and gluten-free
- Pleasing aroma
Cons
- Pricey
- Slightly sour finish
Buyer’s guide
Roast
Although Cuban coffee is known for its robust dark roast, other options offer lighter roasts.
Texture
There’s something about Cuban coffee’s texture that makes it distinct. But, of course, you have to try an authentic one to find out. If you don’t have access to any, simply try what’s available and find which gives you the best texture.
Value
Value for money is always a point of consideration. From the cheapest to the most expensive, there’s a Cuban coffee for you! But of course, we hope you’ll find your perfect Cuban cup in the form of an affordable Cuban coffee.
Quick facts about Cuban coffee
- Authentic Cuban coffee is difficult to find in the US.
- However, there are non-Cuban brands that are successful in producing coffee with the same flavor. So be patient in searching for the best alternative out there.
- There are a lot of imitations and knockoffs in the market, so be cautious!
Final words
And there you have it! We hope this discussion about Cuban coffee gave you an idea of why many people love this. Although it’s hard to come by, we hope you get to try one in this lifetime. So, here’s to constantly looking for a great cup!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links. Remember to support us by purchasing through the Amazon/Walmart/Impact Radius links provided. Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
