How To Make Cuban Coffee:Discover Cuba’s vibrant coffee culture, where strong coffee and espresso are enjoyed throughout the day. The nation is gaining recognition for producing its own exceptional coffee.
Known as café cubano or cafecito, Cuban coffee features a shot of espresso sweetened with a thick sugar foam, making it a delightful treat often savored as a dessert beverage.Eager to try it? This comprehensive guide will show you how to make authentic Cuban coffee at home.
Ingredients and Tools Needed
– Ground coffee
– ¼ cup sugar
– Moka pot
– Large bowl or measuring cup
– Tablespoon measuring spoon
– Spoon, fork, or small whisk
– Four small serving glasses (3 to 4 oz each)
Quick Overview
Brew Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 cups
A Quick Guide to the Ingredients
Ground Coffee: For authentic Cuban coffee, a very dark roast, such as an Italian or Spanish roast, is essential. These roasts are so dark they’re almost burnt, which pairs perfectly with the sweetness of sugar to balance the inherent bitterness. Light roasts, typically used for specialty coffees, won’t work well for this recipe.
Popular Cuban coffee brands include Cafe Bustelo, Cafe La Llave, and Cafe Pilon. However, you can use your favorite dark roast or explore our top picks for the best dark roast beans.
¼ Cup Sugar: Both white and brown sugars can be used. White sugar provides a cleaner taste, allowing the coffee flavor to shine through. Brown or demerara sugar, more common in Cuba, creates a thicker foam and imparts a sweeter, molasses-like flavor to the drink.
Tools You’ll Need
Six-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker (Moka Pot): Moka pots brew exceptionally strong coffee, with a typical cup measuring just two ounces. A six-cup Moka pot will produce 12 ounces of robust, espresso-like coffee.
Large Bowl or Measuring Cup: Use this to prepare the Cuban coffee before pouring it into small serving glasses. Opt for one with a pourable spout for ease.
One Tablespoon Measuring Spoon: Essential for accurate measurements.
Spoon, Fork, or Small Whisk: These are needed for stirring and creating the sugar foam.
Four Small Serving Glasses (3 to 4 Ounces Each): Espresso cups work perfectly for serving Cuban coffee.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cuban Coffee
Cuba’s coffee culture has been significantly influenced by the U.S. embargo of 1960, yet it has continued to flourish.
In the early days, due to limited coffee supplies, the government created a unique mix of coffee, roasted beans, and roasted chickpeas. This extremely bitter brew laid the foundation for Cubans’ preference for heavily sweetened, dark roast coffee. The acceptance of this blend highlights coffee’s integral role in Cuban culture, emphasizing community over the quality of the beans.
In Cuban households, a large pot of coffee kept warm on the stove often serves as the centerpiece for social gatherings and lengthy conversations. Despite its humble beginnings, café cubano is now enjoyed globally, even in top cafés. Follow the steps below to make this delicious beverage at home, and you’ll be amazed at how simple it is to create.
1. Prepare the Espresso
Cubans typically brew espresso in a Moka pot instead of a standard espresso machine.
Moka pots have a reputation for producing burnt-tasting coffee, but you can avoid this with the right technique. Start by filling the bottom of the espresso maker with water, following the manufacturer’s instructions, but use boiling water instead of cold. Heat it over low-medium heat until you hear the distinctive gurgle. Remove the pot from the heat as soon as you hear this sound to prevent over-cooking the coffee.
Pro tip: Café Cubano is quite forgiving. If you don’t have a Moka pot, any strong coffee will work. You can use an AeroPress, an extra-strong French press, or even an espresso machine or coffee maker. Vietnamese coffee made with a phin also serves as an excellent base for Cuban coffee.
2. Prepare the Espuma
Espuma, also known as espumita, is the sugar foam created by whipping coffee and sugar together. The term “espuma” means foam in Spanish and resembles the crema on a traditional espresso but is much sweeter.
To make it, place ¼ cup of sugar in a bowl and add one tablespoon of brewed coffee. Vigorously beat the mixture until it becomes a thick, frothy syrup.
If the mixture seems too dry, add a few more drops of coffee as needed. The exact amount of coffee will vary based on your sugar choice and even the humidity in your house. This step might require some trial and error.
Pro tip: For smaller servings, use a smaller Moka pot and adjust the sugar quantity. However, if the sugar amount is too low, it will be harder to whip effectively. Making at least two servings at a time is recommended.
3. Complete the Cuban Coffee
The rest of the process is straightforward. Add the remaining coffee from the Moka pot to the bowl with the espuma and stir gently. Divide the finished coffee among four small espresso cups and serve immediately.
Café Cubano is often enjoyed as a sweet finish to a meal, typically lunch or dinner, rather than as a breakfast drink. In the morning, Cubans usually prefer a traditional café con leche, an unsweetened Cuban espresso topped with steamed milk, often served with hot buttered toast for dipping. Delicious!
How To Make Cuban Coffee: Concluding Reflections
Discover the joy of crafting a classic Cuban coffee, a delightful and straightforward introduction to the world of espresso beverages. Originating during Cuba’s period of isolation, this recipe requires no specialized equipment or fancy coffee beans.
Indulge in the sweet and creamy flavors that make Cuban coffee the ideal conclusion to any meal. Take the plunge and try making Cuban coffee today. Share your feedback with us in the comments section below!
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