How Do You Make Cafe Bustelo Coffee

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If you’ve ever wondered how do you make Cafe Bustelo coffee, you’re in the right place. This iconic brand, known for its rich, bold flavor and distinctive yellow can, is a favorite for a reason. But to get the best cup, you need to know the right methods. We’ll walk you through every step, from choosing your brew style to enjoying that perfect espresso-style cup.

Cafe Bustelo is a finely ground, dark roast coffee. It’s often used for espresso, but it’s incredibly versatile. You can make it with almost any coffee maker you have at home. The key is understanding the grind and how it interacts with different brewing equipment. Let’s get started.

How Do You Make Cafe Bustelo Coffee

This heading covers the core principle. Making Cafe Bustelo coffee isn’t about one single method. It’s about adapting the brand’s unique grind to your preferred brewing style. Whether you use an espresso machine, a Moka pot, a drip machine, or even a French press, the process changes a bit. We’ll cover all the popular techniques right here.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before you brew, gather your tools. Having everything ready makes the process smoother.

  • Cafe Bustelo Coffee: The star of the show. It comes in bricks, cans, or pre-portioned pods.
  • Fresh, Cold Water: The quality of your water affects taste. Filtered water is often best.
  • Your Brewing Device: Choose from the options listed below.
  • A Way to Heat Water: A kettle or your machine’s built-in heater.
  • A Mug or Carafe: To catch the finished coffee.
  • Measuring Spoon (Optional): For consistent results.

Method 1: The Moka Pot (Stovetop Espresso)

The Moka pot is a classic way to brew Cafe Bustelo. It produces a strong, concentrated coffee similar to espresso. This method is very popular in many households.

  1. Fill the Bottom Chamber: Unscrew the Moka pot. Pour fresh, cold water into the bottom chamber until it just reaches the safety valve.
  2. Add the Coffee: Place the filter basket into the bottom chamber. Fill it loosely with Cafe Bustelo grounds. Do not pack or tamp them down. Just level it off with your finger.
  3. Assemble and Heat: Screw the top chamber on tightly. Place the pot on a stovetop burner set to medium heat.
  4. Brew and Listen: Leave the lid open. In a few minutes, you’ll hear a gurgling sound. Coffee will start to flow into the top chamber.
  5. Finish and Serve: When you see a steady stream of light brown foam, or hear a hissing sound, remove it from the heat. Pour immediately into your cup to avoid bitterness.

Method 2: The Espresso Machine

For a true espresso shot, an espresso machine is the way to go. Cafe Bustelo’s fine grind is designed for this, but it can be tricky because it’s not ground specifically for your machine.

  1. Grind Consideration: If you have a grinder, consider buying Cafe Bustelo whole bean and grinding it to the exact fineness your machine requires. Pre-ground is finer than typical espresso grind.
  2. Dose and Tamp: Add about 18-20 grams of grounds to your portafilter. Tamp firmly and evenly. Because the grind is so fine, avoid over-tamping which can cause over-extraction.
  3. Brew: Lock the portafilter in and start the shot. Aim for a 1:2 ratio (e.g., 18g in, 36g out) in about 25-30 seconds. If it runs too fast, your grind is too coarse; too slow, it’s too fine.
  4. Adjust: With pre-ground, it may run fast. You can try a slightly larger dose or a firmer tamp to slow it down.

Method 3: A Standard Drip Coffee Maker

Yes, you can use Cafe Bustelo in your regular coffee pot! The fine grind means you need to adjust your approach to prevent a muddy or over-extracted cup.

  1. Use a Filter: Always use a paper filter. The fine grounds can slip through a permanent mesh filter and leave sediment in your carafe.
  2. Adjust the Ratio: Use about 1 tablespoon of Cafe Bustelo per 6 ounces of water. This is a bit less than you might use with a coarser grind because the finer surface area extracts more quickly.
  3. Brew as Normal: Add cold water to the reservoir, add the grounds to the filter, and start the machine.
  4. Serve Promptly: Once brewing is complete, pour the coffee into a thermos or drink it right away. Leaving it on the hot plate can make it bitter.

Method 4: The French Press

Using a French press with a fine grind like Cafe Bustelo is unorthodox, but it can make a potent and full-bodied cup. The main challenge is avoiding grounds in your drink.

  1. Preheat and Add Coffee: Preheat your press with hot water. Add a coarse-to-medium coarse grind is ideal, but for pre-ground Bustelo, use 1 heaping tablespoon per 4 ounces of water.
  2. Add Water and Steep: Pour hot water (just off the boil) over the grounds. Stir gently to ensure all grounds are wet. Place the lid on with the plunger up.
  3. Shorten the Steep Time: Because the grind is fine, it extracts fast. Steep for only 2-3 minutes instead of the usual 4.
  4. Press Slowly and Decant: Press the plunger down very slowly and steadily. Pour all the coffee into a separate mug or carafe immediately to stop the brewing process.

Method 5: The AeroPress

The AeroPress is forgiving and works great with fine grinds. It can make anything from a strong espresso-like shot to a cleaner Americano.

  1. Choose Your Method: For a stronger cup, use the inverted method (placing the plunger at the bottom and the chamber on top). For standard, use the regular upright position.
  2. Add Coffee and Water: Add one rounded scoop of Cafe Bustelo. Pour hot water (about 175-185°F) up to the desired number marking. Stir for about 10 seconds.
  3. Press and Enjoy: If using the inverted method, screw on the filter cap, flip onto your cup, and press. For standard, insert the plunger and press gently. It should take about 20-30 seconds to press all the way through.

Pro Tips for the Best Flavor

  • Water Temperature: Just off the boil (around 200°F) is ideal for most methods, except AeroPress which can use slightly cooler water.
  • Don’t Reheat: Reheating coffee destroys its flavor. Make what you’ll drink and use a thermos to keep it hot.
  • Clean Equipment: Old coffee oils make new coffee taste bitter. Clean your machine or pot regularly.
  • Experiment with Ratios: The “right” amount of coffee is what tastes good to you. Start with our suggestions and adjust.

How to Make Cafe Bustelo Without a Coffee Maker

Forgot your equipment? You can still make a decent cup. Here’s a simple “cowboy coffee” method.

  1. Boil water in a small pot.
  2. Remove from heat and add 2 tablespoons of Cafe Bustelo for every 6 ounces of water.
  3. Stir and let it steep for 4-5 minutes.
  4. To settle the grounds, pour a little cold water over the top. The grounds will sink.
  5. Carefully pour the coffee into your mug, trying to leave the settled grounds at the bottom of the pot.

Serving and Enjoying Your Cafe Bustelo

Cafe Bustelo is bold and stands up well to milk and sugar. Here are some classic ways to drink it.

  • Café con Leche: This is a staple. Mix equal parts strong brewed Cafe Bustelo (from a Moka pot or espresso machine) with hot, steamed milk. Sugar to taste.
  • Black: Enjoy the pure, robust flavor on its own.
  • Cortadito: A Cuban favorite. Make a small, strong shot and sweeten it with a bit of whipped sugar (or plain sugar) before adding a splash of steamed milk.
  • Iced Coffee: Brew it extra strong (use more coffee) directly over ice, or let regular brew cool and pour over ice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using Boiling Water: Water that’s too hot can scorch the grounds, making coffee bitter.
  • Incorrect Coffee-to-Water Ratio: This is the most common error. Measure until you get a feel for it.
  • Using Dirty Equipment: As mentioned, this is a flavor killer.
  • Letting it Sit Too Long: Especially with fine grounds, over-steeping or sitting on a hot plate ruins the taste.

Storing Your Cafe Bustelo

To keep it fresh, store your coffee in a cool, dark place. The can it comes in is actually pretty good for storage. If you open a brick pack, transfer it to an airtight container. Avoid the fridge or freezer, as moisture and odors can get in. Use it within a week or two of opening for the best flavor.

FAQ Section

Is Cafe Bustelo just for espresso?
No, not at all. While its grind and roast are ideal for espresso-style brewing, you can use it in a regular drip coffee maker, a French press, or an AeroPress. You just need to adjust your method slightly, like using a paper filter in a drip machine.

Why is Cafe Bustelo so cheap?
It’s affordable because it’s made from robusta beans or a blend containing robusta. Robusta beans are hardier, yield more crop, and have a stronger, more bitter flavor than arabica beans. This gives Bustelo its characteristic bold, earthy punch at a great value.

Can you make good iced coffee with Cafe Bustelo?
Absolutely. It makes excellent iced coffee because its strong flavor doesn’t get watered down. Brew it extra-concentrated using any method (Moka pot works great) and pour it directly over a full cup of ice. Add milk and sweetener if you like.

Do I need to change the grind for different methods?
Ideally, yes. Cafe Bustelo comes pre-ground for espresso/Moka pots. For a drip machine, a medium grind is better, and for French press, a coarse grind is best. You can still use the pre-ground, but your results will be better if you buy whole bean and grind it yourself for your specific brewer.

How do you make Cafe Bustelo taste less bitter?
First, ensure you’re not over-extracting it. Use the right water temperature, correct brew time, and clean equipment. If it’s still too bitter for you, try using a tiny pinch of salt in your grounds before brewing. It can counteract bitterness. Also, adding milk or a sweetener can balance the flavor.

What’s the difference between Cafe Bustelo in the can vs. the brick?
The coffee inside is the same. The brick is vacuum-sealed and might stay fresh longer if you don’t plan to use it quickly. The can is resealable and convenient for daily use. Choose based on your storage preference.

Making a great cup of Cafe Bustelo is about respecting its unique style. It’s a powerful, flavorful coffee that can be the base for many delicious drinks. By choosing the right method for your tools and taste, you can enjoy that rich, authentic experience every morning. Experiment with the ratios and techniques until you find your perfect cup. Remember, the best way is the way you enjoy it most.