As someone who grew up in a Cuban household, the ritual of making café cubano has always been more than just brewing coffee, it’s about creating moments of connection and celebrating our rich coffee culture. The aroma of freshly brewed Cuban coffee wafting through the house every morning is one of my most cherished childhood memories.

Today, I’m excited to share my expertise on how to make authentic Cuban coffee, also known as cafecito, that will transport you to the vibrant streets of Havana with every sip. This tradition, passed down through generations, is a testament to the enduring legacy of Cuban coffee culture and its power to bring people together.

Key Takeaways

• Cuban coffee is a sweet and robust espresso-style coffee made with dark roasted beans and demerara sugar
• The signature creamy foam (espuma) is created by whisking the first few drops of coffee with sugar
• Traditional preparation requires a stovetop espresso maker (Moka pot) and the right grind size
• The key to perfect Cuban coffee lies in the timing of sugar incorporation and proper whisking technique
• One serving is typically 3-4 ounces and is often shared among family or friends
• The brewing process combines Italian coffee-making methods with uniquely Cuban techniques
• Temperature control and timing are crucial for achieving the perfect balance of flavors

Recommended Equipment

Before we dive into the process, here are my top recommended products that will help you create the perfect café cubano:

Bialetti Moka Express 6-Cup Stovetop Coffee Maker

Why I Love It: The Bialetti Moka Express 6 Cup is the ultimate stovetop espresso maker that brings authentic Italian coffee to your kitchen. Its timeless design, created in 1933, is coupled with a patented safety valve and ergonomic handle for convenience. With this moka pot, you’ll experience the rich, bold flavor of espresso in just a few simple steps. Plus, the durable aluminum construction ensures long-lasting quality, making it a favorite for coffee enthusiasts.

Best For: Coffee lovers who appreciate the art of stovetop espresso brewing. Perfect for those who prefer a classic Italian coffee-making experience and enjoy rich, full-bodied coffee.

Price Point: $40.00 for the 6-cup model, reflecting the high-quality, iconic craftsmanship of this Made in Italy moka pot.

Café La Llave Espresso Dark Roast

Why I Love It: Cafe La Llave Cuban-Style Espresso Dark Roast Ground Coffee offers an incredibly rich, bold flavor that embodies the essence of authentic Cuban espresso. The dark roast profile delivers a smooth, full-bodied cup, ideal for those who crave an intense, satisfying coffee. The 8-pack with bonus Cafe Gaviña ensures you’ll have plenty of this premium coffee on hand, making it perfect for daily brewing. With its kosher certification and affordable price, this coffee is an excellent choice for those who appreciate quality without the hefty price tag.

Best For: Coffee lovers who enjoy rich, dark espresso with a bold flavor. Perfect for those seeking a robust, authentic Cuban coffee experience at home.

Price Point: $35.29 for the 8-pack, offering excellent value at just $0.44 per ounce, making it a cost-effective choice for espresso enthusiasts.

C&H Pure Cane Demerara Sugar

Why I Love It: Caribbean Rhythms Pure Cane Demerara Sugar offers a rich, golden sweetness that enhances any beverage or dish. Known for its light molasses flavor and coarse texture, it adds a delightful crunch and natural sweetness to your coffee, tea, or baked goods. With its minimal processing, this sugar retains a hint of the sugarcane’s natural goodness, making it a favorite for those who prefer a more wholesome, flavorful alternative to regular white sugar.

Best For: Coffee and tea lovers, bakers, or anyone who enjoys adding a little extra flair to their favorite recipes. Ideal for those seeking a natural, minimally processed sweetener.

Price Point: $4.79 for 1.5 lb (just $0.20 per ounce), offering great value for a premium, flavorful sugar.

AOZITA Espresso Cups Set

Why I Love It: The AOZITA Espresso Cups and Saucers set adds a touch of elegance and modern flair to your coffee experience. With a sleek white porcelain design, these 2.5-ounce demitasse cups are perfect for enjoying a rich shot of espresso, cafe mocha, or latte. The set includes 6 cups, 6 saucers, and 6 stainless steel spoons, all neatly organized in a space-saving stand rack. The high-quality, durable porcelain is microwave-safe and break-resistant, ensuring that this set is both functional and stylish for everyday use or entertaining guests.

Best For: Espresso lovers and coffee enthusiasts who appreciate a refined, stylish way to serve espresso. Perfect for those looking for a modern, durable, and space-saving coffee set for home or small cafes.

Price Point: $28.99 for a 19-piece set, offering a great value for a high-quality, durable porcelain espresso set with a convenient rack.

The Art of Making Cuban Coffee

Understanding the Basics (The Foundation)

Before we get into the step-by-step process, it’s important to understand what makes Cuban coffee unique. Unlike regular drip coffee or espresso, Cuban coffee is characterized by its strong, sweet taste and distinctive creamy foam layer called espuma. This foam isn’t created by milk or cream, it’s purely from the interaction between sugar and the first drops of coffee, a technique that requires practice and patience to master.

The coffee beans used in Cuban coffee are typically a dark roast, similar to espresso roast, but with a unique profile that includes notes of tobacco, dark chocolate, and sometimes subtle hints of vanilla. The grind size should be fine but not as fine as espresso, think somewhere between espresso and drip coffee consistency.

Preparation (10 minutes)

1. Gather Your Ingredients You’ll need:
   • Fresh Cuban coffee grounds (or dark roast espresso)
   • Demerara sugar (about 1-2 teaspoons per serving)
   • Cold, filtered water
   • Your Moka pot
   • A small pitcher or measuring cup for whisking
   • A long spoon for stirring
2. Prepare Your Moka Pot First, fill the bottom chamber with cold water just below the pressure valve. This is crucial, overfilling can affect the brewing pressure and result in bitter coffee. The temperature of the water matters; using cold water allows the coffee to heat gradually, preventing any scorched taste.

Add your coffee grounds to the filter basket, but don’t pack them too tightly. A gentle tap to level the grounds is sufficient. The amount of coffee should form a small mound above the filter basket’s rim, which you’ll level off with your finger. Never compress the grounds as you would for espresso, this can lead to over-extraction and bitter flavors.

3. The Sugar Setup This is where the magic happens. Add your demerara sugar to a small pitcher with a spout – this will be for creating your espuma. I typically use about 1-2 teaspoons of sugar per serving, but you can adjust this to taste. Remember, traditional Cuban coffee is sweet, but you’re in control of your sweetness level. The pitcher should be metal or heat-resistant glass, as you’ll be adding hot coffee to it.

The Brewing Process (5-7 minutes)

1. Heat and First Drops: Place the Moka pot on medium heat. This ensures proper extraction—too high heat leads to burnt coffee, while too low heat prevents enough pressure. Watch for the first drops to emerge; these are crucial for the perfect espuma.
2. Creating the Espuma: Once the first drops appear, remove about a tablespoon and add it to sugar in a pitcher. Whisk vigorously for 30-45 seconds until the sugar turns into a smooth, creamy paste. This process is key to achieving the signature espuma.
3. Completing the Brew: Return the Moka pot to heat and let the remaining coffee brew. When you hear a gurgling sound and the coffee turns golden and lighter, remove it from the heat to prevent bitterness. This should take about 4-5 minutes.
4. The Final Mix: Slowly pour the brewed coffee into the sugar mixture, stirring continuously. As you pour, you’ll notice the foam rise and form a light brown layer on top, creating the classic café cubano. Start with a thin stream and gradually increase the flow while stirring to incorporate the sugar evenly.

Serving and Enjoying

Traditional Cuban coffee is served in small cups (tacitas) and is often shared among family or friends. The proper way to serve is to stir the coffee one final time to ensure the espuma is evenly distributed, then pour into small cups. Each serving should have a layer of rich, creamy espuma on top. The espuma should be thick enough that a gentle tap on the side of the cup barely disturbs its surface.

When serving multiple people, it’s customary to create what’s called a colada. This is a larger serving of Cuban coffee that’s meant to be shared. The coffee is served in one larger vessel accompanied by several small cups, allowing everyone to pour their own portion. This communal aspect of sharing Cuban coffee is an integral part of the culture.

The Cultural Significance

Making Cuban coffee isn’t just about the end product, it’s about the ritual and community. In Cuban culture, café cubano is often served throughout the day, but it’s especially important during social gatherings. It’s common to hear someone announce “¿Quién quiere un buchito de café?” (Who wants a little sip of coffee?), bringing people together for a moment of connection.

The tradition of making and sharing Cuban coffee has deep roots in our culture. It’s often seen as a form of hospitality, offering someone a cup of café cubano is a gesture of friendship and welcome. In many Cuban households, the day doesn’t officially start until the first batch of coffee is brewed, and the afternoon pause for coffee is as much about catching up with family and friends as it is about the caffeine boost.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even experienced coffee makers sometimes encounter challenges. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

• If your espuma is too thin, you might not be whisking vigorously enough or using too little sugar
• If your coffee tastes bitter, try using lower heat or removing the pot from heat sooner
• If the coffee is too weak, you might need to add more grounds or ensure your water isn’t too cold
• If the Moka pot is leaking, check the rubber gasket for wear and replace if necessary

Conclusion

Creating the perfect cup of Cuban coffee takes practice, but the results are worth the effort. Remember that the key elements are using the right equipment, creating a proper espuma, and sharing the experience with others. With these techniques and tips, you’ll be making café cubano that would make any Cuban abuela proud. The beauty of this tradition lies not just in the rich, sweet coffee itself, but in the moments of connection it creates and the cultural heritage it preserves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use any type of sugar to make Cuban coffee?

A: While you can use regular white sugar, traditional demerara or turbinado sugar creates the best espuma and adds authentic flavor notes. The raw sugar’s molasses content helps create that perfect creamy foam and adds depth to the coffee’s flavor profile.

Q: Why is my espuma not forming properly?

A: The most common reasons are not whisking vigorously enough or using the wrong sugar-to-coffee ratio. Make sure you’re using those first concentrated drops of coffee and whisking continuously until you achieve a paste-like consistency. The temperature of the coffee and the type of sugar used also play crucial roles.

Q: Can I make Cuban coffee without a Moka pot?

A: While a Moka pot is traditional and produces the best results, you can use a strong espresso machine. However, avoid using regular drip coffee makers as they won’t produce the concentration needed for authentic Cuban coffee. The pressure brewing method is essential for extracting the right flavors and oils.

Q: How strong is Cuban coffee compared to regular coffee?

A: Cuban coffee is significantly stronger than regular drip coffee, similar to espresso in strength. One serving typically contains about 25-50% more caffeine than a regular cup of coffee. The concentrated nature of the brew, combined with the dark roast beans, creates a potent beverage that’s usually served in small portions.

Q: Can I make Cuban coffee with pre-ground coffee?

A: Yes, you can use pre-ground coffee, but make sure it’s espresso grind or specifically labeled for Cuban coffee. Brands like Café La Llave, Bustelo, or Pilon are popular choices that come pre-ground at the right consistency. However, for the freshest taste, consider grinding your own beans just before brewing.