Cuban creativity in the face of blackouts: This is how they make coffee with a candle on the island.

To problems, solutions! The ingenuity of Cubans knows no bounds, especially when it comes to finding solutions to the continuous blackouts affecting Cuba. The creativity of the islanders never ceases to amaze, and a Cuban woman has become the star of TikTok in recent days after showcasing her clever solution for making coffee in the absence of electricity.

The Cuban Marubeni Somoza (@marubeni.somoza on TikTok) shared a video that went viral on TikTok, surpassing 1.7 million views and receiving comments from all over the world. In the images, she shows how she managed to make coffee with a candle over which she placed two knives. "When there is no electricity, you have to improvise," she stated, and indeed she did improvise.

The reactions came quickly: "That's from Team Cuba!! Only we have the most creative ideas in the face of problems. We can't be without coffee and I'm not going to discuss it with anyone," commented a user, while another wrote: "Never without coffee, att: a Cuban."

The comments reflect how Cubans, both inside and outside the island, identify with these creative solutions in the face of adversity. "Only Cubans understand the need for coffee," "There will be no light, there will be no gas, but I will never be without coffee," or "Cubans always find a way," are just some of the messages that accompany the video. Even people outside Cuba shared similar experiences. "I did that too when the electricity went out because of Hurricane Milton," commented someone, while another recalled: "I have done something similar since Hurricane Hugo in 1989." The need for good coffee seems to unite everyone, even in the most difficult times.

Additionally, others commented on original ways they have made coffee when the electricity was out. "My dad lives in Naples, 2 days without power due to the cyclone and he made coffee with a blowtorch in hand, the kind used for work" or "We made coffee on the BBQ."