Cuban Coffee and Its Cultural Significance

Cuban coffee is world-renowned and is an integral part of Cuban culture and social life. On a visita (a visit with a neighbor, friend, or relative), the host usually warmly and immediately offers guests a cafecito, Cuban espresso made of dark coffee beans. While the coffee is brewing, sugar is added to the cafetera (stovetop espresso machine), which makes the drink sweeter than adding sugar after the espresso is already made. For decades it has been Cuban custom to socialize with a cafecito, and it is almost rude to decline the offering. In addition to brewing and enjoying coffee at home, Cubans often buy coffee directly from the window or doorway of a private seller’s home, or at a local cafeteria or restaurant. A Cuban will drink the espresso shot, chitchat about life, philosophize on love and art, gossip about family and friends, and then return the coffee cup before continuing the day. Some Cubans prefer café con leche (two shots of espresso with steamed milk), rather than black espresso alone or with sugar, or the smaller-size portion with just one shot of espresso, known as a cortado or cortadito.