The rich, potent aroma of Cuban coffee is unmistakable, evoking the vibrant energy of a Havana cafecito. This distinctive style, known for its dark roast, intense body, and sweet finish, has captivated coffee lovers worldwide. Finding an authentic and high-quality Cuban-style blend can transform your morning ritual, offering a powerful and flavorful experience that stands up to milk and sugar.
Whether you prefer the convenience of K-Cups, the freshness of whole beans, or the traditional brick of ground espresso, there is a perfect option for your kitchen. Our roundup features ten of the most respected and beloved brands, each offering a unique take on this classic coffee tradition. From household names to premium selections, these picks will help you find your new favorite brew.
Our Top Picks for Authentic Cuban Coffee
- Café Bustelo Espresso Style Dark Roast K-Cup Pods
- Cafe Pilon Espresso Ground Coffee 6 Oz Brick
- Cafe La Llave Dark Roast Ground Espresso Coffee
- Supreme by Bustelo Espresso Whole Bean Coffee
- Cafe Pilon Espresso Ground Coffee 10 Ounce Can
- Cafe La Llave Whole Bean Espresso Coffee
- Gaviña Old Havana Espresso Whole Bean Coffee
- Cafe Bustelo Instant Coffee 2pk 7.05oz
- Café Bustelo Dulce de Leche Ground Coffee
- Cafe Caribe Cuban Espresso Coffee
Café Bustelo Espresso Style Dark Roast K-Cup Pods
For those who value both speed and authentic flavor, Café Bustelo’s K-Cup pods are an excellent solution. This pack contains 72 pods, ensuring you have a steady supply of your favorite dark roast coffee. The espresso-style blend is crafted from coffee beans sourced from Latin American countries, delivering a genuine taste profile.
The dark roast offers a robust and full-bodied cup with complex fruity flavor notes. It is designed specifically for Keurig brewers, making it incredibly simple to prepare a single serving of strong coffee in moments. This option brings the classic Café Bustelo experience to the modern coffee routine.
Cafe Pilon Espresso Ground Coffee 6 Oz Brick
Cafe Pilon is a cornerstone of Cuban coffee culture, and this 6-ounce brick is its most traditional form. The compact packaging is iconic, preserving the freshness of the finely ground espresso. It is a pure, unadulterated dark roast blend made for the dedicated coffee drinker.
This coffee is prepared to be used in a moka pot, producing the concentrated coffee base essential for a true cafecito. Its powerful aroma and strong, smooth flavor form the foundation for a perfect cup, whether you take it straight or as a cortadito. It’s a no-fuss, authentic choice for purists.
Cafe La Llave Dark Roast Ground Espresso Coffee
Cafe La Llave is another titan in the world of Cuban-style coffee, known for its consistent quality and rich flavor. This 10-ounce brick of dark roast ground espresso is engineered to deliver a bold and intense cup. The blend offers deep, complex notes that satisfy those who prefer a robust coffee experience.
Its versatility is a significant advantage. The fine grind is ideal for a moka pot or espresso machine, but it also works well in a standard drip coffee maker. This allows you to enjoy an authentic, aromatic espresso experience regardless of your preferred brewing technique.
Supreme by Bustelo Espresso Whole Bean Coffee
For coffee enthusiasts who grind their beans fresh, Supreme by Bustelo offers a premium whole bean option. This 32-ounce bag contains a rich and dark roast blend specifically crafted for espresso or cappuccino. It represents a step up, featuring a selection of the finest coffees from around the world.
Using whole beans allows you to capture the peak of the coffee’s aroma and flavor immediately after grinding. This process results in a fresher, more nuanced cup. The dark roast profile ensures a powerful and satisfying base for all your espresso-based drinks.
Cafe Pilon Espresso Ground Coffee 10 Ounce Can
This 10-ounce can from Cafe Pilon provides a larger quantity of their signature espresso ground coffee. The tin canister is practical for storage, helping to maintain the coffee’s freshness over time. It contains the same high-quality dark roast blend that has made the brand a favorite.
The coffee is remarkably versatile. It produces an excellent shot for espresso purists but is also balanced enough to be enjoyed with milk without losing its character. You can prepare it in various ways and always expect a consistent, reliable flavor.
Cafe La Llave Whole Bean Espresso Coffee
This pack includes two 32-ounce bags of Cafe La Llave’s whole bean espresso, making it a great value for regular drinkers. The coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans that are dark roasted for a rich, bold, and intensely aromatic cup. It is a premium Cuban-style blend for a full-bodied experience.
The whole bean format offers maximum flexibility, allowing you to grind the coffee to the perfect consistency for your espresso machine, moka pot, or drip coffee maker. Each bag is equipped with a one-way valve that locks in freshness from roasting to brewing.
Gaviña Old Havana Espresso Whole Bean Coffee
Gaviña Old Havana is a tribute to the family’s Cuban heritage, offering a medium-dark roast whole bean coffee. This 100% Arabica blend stands out with its nutty and sweet flavor profile, complemented by subtle hints of citrus. It results in a smooth and complex finish.
The whole beans ensure you get the freshest possible flavor, ideal for pulling a perfect espresso shot or brewing in a moka pot. As a company, Gaviña focuses on sustainable practices through their Direct Impact initiative, adding an element of environmental responsibility to your purchase.
Cafe Bustelo Instant Coffee 2pk 7.05oz
When you need a quality coffee in an instant, this two-pack of Cafe Bustelo instant coffee is the answer. Each jar contains 7.05 ounces of freeze-dried coffee that dissolves quickly in hot water. It delivers the brand’s characteristic dark roast flavor without any brewing equipment.
This is the ultimate option for convenience, whether at home, the office, or while traveling. It allows you to prepare a single cup of strong, Cuban-style coffee in seconds. The flavor is remarkably robust for an instant coffee, making it a reliable backup or everyday choice.
Café Bustelo Dulce de Leche Ground Coffee
For those who enjoy a flavored coffee, Café Bustelo offers this Dulce de Leche ground coffee in an 11-ounce bag. It is inspired by the sweet, caramelized taste of the classic dessert, with inviting vanilla notes. The base is still a bold dark roast, so the flavor is present but not overwhelming.
The coffee’s strong character means it holds up beautifully when combined with milk, sugar, and ice. It is an excellent choice for creating flavored lattes, iced coffees, or simply enjoying a sweeter, dessert-like cup. It provides a fun and tasty twist on the traditional profile.
Cafe Caribe Cuban Espresso Coffee
Cafe Caribe is another notable brand that specializes in Cuban espresso coffee. It offers a unique blend that captures the essence of the Caribbean, with a profile that is both strong and smooth. This coffee is crafted for those who seek an authentic and robust espresso experience.
It is typically available as a ground coffee, making it ready to use in your moka pot or espresso machine. The blend is designed to produce a rich crema and a full-bodied flavor that is characteristic of a true Cuban coffee. It’s a solid alternative for exploring different interpretations of the style.
What to Look For in the Best Cuban Coffee Brands
When I’m looking for the best Cuban coffee brands, I focus on a few key things that make this coffee style so unique. It’s not just about grabbing any dark roast; it’s about finding a coffee that can stand up to the traditional preparation methods and deliver that signature, powerful flavor we love.
First, consider the roast. Authentic Cuban coffee is almost always a dark roast. This isn’t a light, fruity coffee. The dark roasting process brings out deep, smoky, and sometimes chocolatey or nutty notes. It also cuts down on the acidity, which is a hallmark of a well-made Cuban espresso. If you see a brand that offers a light or medium roast as its “Cuban” option, I would be skeptical.
Next, think about the bean blend. Traditionally, Cuban coffee is made from Arabica beans, but you’ll often find robusta beans blended in. A bit of robusta is a good thing in this context! It contributes to the thick, rich crema—that lovely tan foam on top of your shot—and adds an extra caffeine kick and a bold, slightly bitter edge that balances the drink. A 100% Arabica blend can be delicious and smooth, but a blend with some robusta will get you closer to the classic, intense profile.
The grind is also super important. For making a true cafecito or Cuban espresso, you need a fine espresso grind. Many of the best Cuban coffee brands come pre-ground specifically for this purpose. This is a huge convenience if you don’t have a grinder at home. Just make sure your brewing method matches the grind. If you buy a whole bean option, you have the flexibility to grind it to your machine’s specifications, which is a great advantage.
Finally, pay attention to the brand’s story and origin. Some of the most beloved brands were founded by Cuban families who brought their roasting traditions with them. This heritage often translates to a more authentic taste experience. While you can’t currently get coffee grown in Cuba in the United States due to the embargo, these diaspora brands have mastered the art of replicating that classic flavor profile using beans from other regions. Finding a brand with that history can be part of the fun.
FAQ
What makes Cuban coffee different from other types of coffee?
The main difference lies in the roast, blend, and how it’s prepared. Cuban coffee is typically a very dark roast, often with a blend that includes robusta beans. This creates a low-acidity, strong, and bold flavor. The most common way to prepare it is as a super-sweetened espresso shot, called a cafecito, where the first few drops of espresso are whipped with sugar to create a creamy foam called espuma.
Why is Cuban coffee so strong?
It feels strong for a couple of reasons. First, the dark roast profile is intense and powerful on its own. Second, the traditional serving size is a small, concentrated shot, so you’re getting a high concentration of flavor and caffeine in a tiny cup. The inclusion of robusta beans in many blends also increases the caffeine content compared to a pure Arabica coffee, adding to that potent effect.
Can I use a regular coffee maker for Cuban coffee?
You can, but you won’t get the authentic experience. A regular drip coffee maker uses a medium grind and a longer, slower brewing process, which won’t produce the concentrated intensity needed. For the real deal, you need an espresso machine, a Moka pot (which is very common in Cuban households), or an AeroPress with a fine grind. These methods create the high pressure necessary to extract the coffee’s full, bold character.
What is the best way to sweeten Cuban coffee?
The traditional method is key to the experience. As the espresso begins to brew, you catch the first few drops in a cup that already has sugar in it. You then vigorously whip this mixture with a spoon until it becomes a light, creamy, pale brown foam (espuma). You then pour the rest of the brewed espresso over this foam. This technique dissolves the sugar perfectly and creates a unique texture you can’t get by just stirring sugar into a finished cup.
Are there any specific brands you’d recommend for someone new to Cuban coffee?
For a beginner, I’d suggest starting with a widely available and consistent brand like Bustelo or Pilon. They are pre-ground for espresso, affordable, and offer that classic, bold Cuban profile. They are a fantastic introduction to this style of coffee without a big investment. Once you know you like that intense, smoky flavor, you can branch out to explore other fantastic options among the best Cuban coffee brands.
Is Cuban coffee always served as espresso?
While the cafecito (espresso shot) is the most iconic preparation, it’s not the only way. A cortadito is an cafecito topped with a roughly equal amount of steamed milk. A cafe con leche is a larger drink, similar to a latte, made with a shot of Cuban coffee and a larger portion of hot, scalded milk. So, the espresso is the base, but it can be adapted into several popular milk-based drinks.