When I heard that travel to Cuba was opening up, I got really excited! I watched Emeril Lagasse and Casey Neistat go to Cuba and was dreaming of visiting before everything became commercialized. That day might never come (fingers still crossed though!) but we can experience the flavors of Cuba without leaving home. Cuban coffee recipes can be made right in your own home!
About Cuban Coffee Culture
In Cuba, coffee is a daily part of the relaxed island culture. Coffee first came to Cuba in the 1700s, and the Caribbean island was once a major producer of coffee – in fact, its first plantations now have a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list(1). Coffee production began to decline largely due to the production and export of rum and cane sugar; yet coffee consumption continued to rise. In 1962, the Cuban government began to ration coffee. As a result, many Cubans drink café con chícharo, a mix of coffee beans and toasted chickpeas, adding sugar to curb the bitterness. Because of the limited quantity, coffee is always consumed in small amounts from small cups known as tacitas. As exports from Cuba are being lifted beginning with Cuban-grown coffee, a cultural coffee exchange between the Caribbean island and the U.S. is due. Here are a few helpful terms to understanding Cuban coffee:
- Café cubano or cafecito – espresso mixed with sugar
- Cortadito – espresso topped with steamed milk
- Café con leche –coffee and hot milk
Slowing down over a “cafecito”
Around 3pm is when I hit that afternoon slowdown, the perfect time to enjoy a hot cuppa! In Cuba, a hot cup is celebrated as a way to bring friends together, whether it is catching up on the day’s news over a “cafecito” at a street café or exchanging gossip over a pot of strong brew at home. And in Miami, where the largest numbers of Cuban expats now live, 3:05 pm has become the city’s official “cafecito” time, recognizing the power of Cuban coffee culture in bringing together the city’s diverse community.
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Last week, we had the first ever “cafecito” time here in Los Angeles! The time 4:05PM is now the Official “Cafecito Time” in Los Angeles. We went to the first “Cafecito” event in LA at Carrera Café at 8251 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046, across from the iconic pink wall at Paul Smith.
The cafe created a sampling of macarons and pastries to complement the Cuban coffee recipes we share below. We really loved these coffee and rose flavor macarons and the berry tarts!
We downloaded the Coffee Ripples app, loaded a favorite photo, and the cafe printed that image on a Nutella Latte!
Here's how it works:
- Download the Coffee Ripples app.
- Choose your image.
- Select your location. The app will tell you which coffee shops in your area offer custom latte art.
- Choose coffee shop.
- The app will give you a number – the coffee shop will call out your number when your latte is ready.
This was so fun!!
You don't have to go to a coffee house to enjoy a Cuban coffee … we have three Cuban coffee inspired recipes by Eddie Zamora, creator of the Yum Yum Foodie, to share with you!
Three Cuban coffee recipes
“Here in California, we’ve become accustomed to a grab and go lifestyle,” said social media influencer Eddie Zamora, creator of the Yum Yum Foodie brand and developer of the recipes. “Growing up in a Cuban household a large pot of coffee kept warm on the stove was the centerpiece of many social gatherings and long conversations. Coffee has the power to connect people from all over, from Miami to California, because it sparks conversation, friendship, and with these recipes, even excitement.”
Eddie’s recipes include the “Euro-Cuban,” a delicious blend featuring Nutella and whole milk with a touch of salt; the “Neighborhood Gossip” blending rich espresso and whole milk with dark rum for an adult offering served in a martini glass; and a Cuban Hot Chocolate, a treat perfect for kids with dark chocolate, wholesome milk, ground cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Adding milk to coffee enhances the “mouth feel” as the fats in milk change the texture, making it thicker and adding smoothness. To view the recipes created exclusively for got milk?/ Toma Leche and a fun instructional video featuring Eddie Zamora, visit:
- www.gotmilk.com (English) www.tomaleche.com (Spanish)
I've provided some links below that will help you find the exact ingredients you need to make 3 amazing Cuban coffee recipes; when you buy from these links, the seller gives us a commission which s us to keep making awesome free content for you!
“Euro Cuban”
by Eddie Zamora The Yum Yum Foodie
Serves 2-3 cups of coffee
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp. Nutella
- 6oz. whole milk
- 6oz. of evaporated milk (sub for low fat if you like)
- Pinch of table salt
- 1 bag of “Cafe la LLave” espresso (this is the best price I found for this online but click to check it – they are always lowering it!)
- Sugar to taste
Directions:
Combine pinch of salt, sugar, whole milk, Nutella, and evaporated milk in steamer or on stovetop sauce pan. Heat or steam to a simmer. On stovetop or with espresso machine, make your desired espresso. Pour your heated milk into desired mug and add as much espresso as you like.
“Radio Bemba” or the “Lip Radio”
by Eddie Zamora
The Yum Yum Foodie
Serves 2-3 cups of coffee
Ingredients:
- 2oz. of espresso
- 1.5 oz. evaporated milk
- 1.5 oz. whole milk
- 1 oz. of dark rum
- Espresso beans to garnish
Directions:
In a shaker with ice, combine all ingredients. Shake until well chilled, adjusting sweetener to taste. Pour into a martini glass.
“Cucuy Repellant” Cuban Hot Chocolate
by Eddie Zamora The Yum Yum Foodie
Serves 2-3 cups of coffee
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup dark chocolate (chopped) Try “Menier Chocolate” brand or a 75% cacao dark chocolate (this is the best deal for Menier Chocolate blocks!)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon.
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1oz. cinnamon sugar to coat rim
- 2oz. Espresso (optional for adults)
Directions:
Combine ingredients in steamer or in stovetop sauce pan. Heat or steam to a simmer. Pour your heated hot chocolate into desired mug and enjoy!
Are you planning on trying any of these Cuban coffee recipes?
Let us know in the comments!!
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