If you’ve ever been to a Cuban resort and needed some knock-out coffee, you know how delicious and strong Cuban coffee can be. Cuban coffee is popular for its bold flavor, sweet aroma, and full body. Not to mention, it’s among the darkest coffees in the world. Usually, Cuban coffee is served in four different ways that we’ll discuss in this article: Cortado, Colada, Cafe Cubano, and Café con Leche.
If you’re looking to brew or enjoy some Cuban coffee at home, you may be wondering where you can find the best Cuban coffee beans. This article will review some of the best Cuban coffee brands on the market. In addition, we’ll discuss factors to consider when buying the best Cuban coffee brand and everything you need to know about Cuban coffee, including how to brew it. Read on for the best cup of Cuban coffee.
Best Cuban Coffee Brands
Here is a list of the top 5 best Cuban coffee brands:
1. Café Bustelo Supreme
Cafe Bustelo Supreme is the best and most popular Cuban coffee brand. The coffee brand has been around for about 100 years. Not to mention, the Bustelo whole Arabica coffee bean is dark and rich plus it gives you total control of how dense you make your grind to suit your desired flavor.
The coffee beans are also roasted to perfection to give your coffee a distinctive flavor without the oily and charcoal texture. What’s more, the coffee bean roast is flawless and cannot clog your coffee grinder.
When it comes to the flavor profile, Cafe Bustelo Supreme coffee has a bold flavor with creamy caramel and smoky dark chocolate notes. In addition, Cafe Bustelo Supreme coffee has an aroma of subtle notes like blackberry and raisin.
Pros
- Rich body
- Distinctive flavor
- Wonderful and intense aroma
- Flawless grind
Cons
- A bit pricey
2. Cafe Bustelo Cuban Espresso Coffee
Cafe Bustelo Cuban Espresso is a pre-ground Cuban coffee that’s recognized for working well with almost all coffee brewing devices. The Cafe Bustelo coffee beans are finely grounded to create espresso but also coarse enough to make Cuban coffee.
Cafe Bustelo Cuban Espresso is rich in flavor and holds up with coffee additives such as cream and sugar. In addition, you can add frothed milk as well as other flavorings and still enjoy the rich flavor of the coffee.
For flavor, Cafe Bustelo Cuban Espresso coffee has notes of nuts, milk chocolate, and an earthy aftertaste. Usually, the medium roast is a delight to many because of its rich flavor. What’s more, the coffee brand is an economical choice considering its strongly roasted and rich in flavor. However, you may be disappointed by the relatively weak aroma that the coffee has.
Pros
- Rich flavor
- Economical
- Versatile
Cons
- Weak aroma
- Bitter aftertaste
3. Mayorga Cafe Cubano
Mayorga Cafe Cubano is a popular Cuban coffee brand thanks to its full-bodied flavor as well as its syrupy texture. The Mayorga coffee beans are dark with robust flavor, rich profile, and a nice sheen without too many oils.
If you love strong coffee, then Mayorga Cafe Cuban is an excellent choice for you. The Cuban coffee brand may be pricier, but it’s Kosher and organic certified. What’s more, Mayorga Cuban coffee brand sources its coffee from sustainable farms in Peru, Nicaragua, and Honduras. The coffee beans are then processed and roasted in Cuba.
Pros
- Organic certified
- Rich flavor
- Kosher Certified
- Smooth finish
- Sustainably produced
Cons
- Expensive
- May be strong for beginners
4. Cafe La Llave
Cafe La Llave Espresso is a pre-ground Cuban coffee that’s a staple for espresso and Cafecito lovers who’re looking for a genuine Cuban coffee brand. The dark roast has a sweet, and chocolatey aroma plus a bold flavor. Not to mention, the coffee requires little work when preparing since it’s already pre-ground.
With Cafe La Llave, you’ll always get a reliable brew that features bold notes of wood, creamy chocolate, and sweet spices. The blend is well balanced with a creamy consistency, something that’s not often in some Cuban coffee drinks unless you add milk. What’s more, the Cafe La Llave Espresso coffee brand is economical.
Pros
- Bold
- Economical
- Robust flavor
- Intense aroma
Cons
- Earthy aftertaste
5. Pilon Gourmet Cuban Coffee
Pilon Gourmet brand utilizes 100% Arabica beans in their whole-bean coffee. The Cuban coffee brand is used in restaurants across Southern Florida. The coffee has a complex and robust flavor of chocolate cream with hazelnut.
The Cuban coffee brand is ideal for black coffee lovers who like a clean coffee taste without bitterness. Equally important, the Pilon Gourmet flavor profile works harmoniously with steamed milk.
Pros
- Creamy consistency
- Bold flavor
- Ideal for black coffee drinkers
Cons
- Expensive
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Cuban Coffee Brand
If you’re looking to enjoy Cuban coffee in the comfort of your home, you’ll need to pay attention to several factors. They include:
Texture
Cuban coffee has a texture that stands out from other types of coffee. To understand the texture of Cuban coffee, you have to try it. Once you’ve tried different Cuban coffee brands, you can choose the texture that suits you.
Roast
There are different types of Cuban coffee roasts. Therefore, you must do your research to find a roast that suits you. The different Cuban coffee roasts include:
- Medium Roast
Medium-roasted Cuban coffee beans have a more balanced aroma, taste, and flavor notes. In addition, coffee beans have thicker and fuller bodies.
- Dark Roast
On the other hand, dark-roasted Cuban coffee beans are roasted longer and have a dark color with an oily surface. Not to mention, Cuban dark roasts are rarely served without a sweetener due to their bitterness.
Value
Cuban coffee brands range from more expensive premium coffee beans to cheap and affordable beans. However, you’ll want to make sure that you buy a Cuban coffee brand that offers good value for your money. Therefore, it’s necessary that you research and compare different Cuban coffee brands until you get the brand that provides good value and one that’s suitable for your budget.
Types of Cuban Coffee
As mentioned earlier, there are four different types of Cuban coffee. They include
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Cortadito
A Cortadito or Cortado is a Cuban joe made of steamed milk that’s topped with espresso. This Cuban drink is sweet and a great dessert alternative. A Cortadito is distinguished from other coffees by its milk-to-espresso blend ratio. The Cuban drink contains 50% espresso and 50% milk. It is served in a special glass with a metal handle as well as a metal base.
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Cafe Cubano
A Cafe Cubano also known as a Cafecito is an espresso that’s mixed with sugar to create a thick paste. This joe is served in a metal cup containing some sugar paste and espresso is topped over it.
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Colada
A Colada refers to an espresso shot that’s topped with a light and sweet sugary foam known as Espuma. The drink is made using a Moka pot or an espresso machine.
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Cafe Con Leche
A Cafe Con Leche refers to espresso with equal amounts of hot milk. Traditionally, a Cafe Con Leche is Cafe Cubano served with a cup of steamed milk. You can adjust the steamed milk amount to suit your preference.
How to Brew Cuban Coffee at Home
Making Cuban coffee at home is pretty simple with the right ingredients and a step-by-step guide. Here’s how to do it:
Ingredients
- Cuban coffee beans
- 2 tablespoons of Granulated sugar
- A Moka pot
- A mixing spoon
Instructions
- Grind the coffee beans using a burr grinder.
- Add enough water to the Moka Pot for brewing.
- Add the ground coffee to a filter and fill it up to the top. Use a finger to level the coffee grounds.
- Place the filter into the bottom chamber of the pot and screw it to ensure that it’s firm.
- Place the Moka pot over medium heat and boil the water until it reaches its boiling point. The steam pushes the boiling water through the coffee grounds and coffee is collected in the top chamber.
- Add two tablespoons of sugar to a cup and then add a tablespoon or the first few ounces of espresso to it. Whisk the mixture until you achieve a thick paste.
- Pour the remaining espresso into the cup and enjoy your Cuban joe.
With this guide, you can buy the best Cuban coffee brand as well as prepare your Cuban coffee in the comfort of your home.
