Cuban coffee is the "best in the world," according to TasteAtlas

Amid the severe shortage affecting the people of Cuba, Cuban coffee has become a sought-after product in the international market and a luxury in many homes on the island, where thousands of people wake up unable to enjoy their morning cup of coffee.

Most Cubans consume the coffee sold in state-run stores, at "subsidized prices," but still beyond the reach of many; with very poor quality; mixed with other grains and even dried leaves and indiscernible materials.

Despite its poor quality, it is neither abundant nor delivered on time to the warehouses. On the contrary, many times the regime skips coffee deliveries for months, forcing Cubans to have moringa tea for breakfast, as there is nothing else to drink in the mornings.

However, the government markets various brands of Cuban gourmet coffee internationally, regarded as the best in the world.

Cuban coffee is the best in the world in 2024, according to Taste Atlas.

The recent list of the best coffee drinks, published by TasteAtlas, ranks Cuban coffee in the top position, highlighting it as the best in the world with a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

This prestigious international ranking places Cuban coffee above 62 recognized coffees from countries with a strong tradition in the marketing and consumption of this product, such as India, Italy, and Vietnam.

Among the top ten are "Indian Filter Coffee" (India), "Espresso Freddo" (Greece), and "Café Bombón" (Spain), but Cuban coffee stands out at the top of the list, renowned for its flavor and quality.

Strategy of the regime to sell Cuban coffee globally

In recent years, the government has focused on exporting new coffee brands, such as "Crystal Mountain," "Guantanamero," and "Segrá," aimed exclusively at the international market.

These coffees have positioned themselves as a premium product, increasingly distancing themselves from the consumption possibilities of Cubans. In 2022, the price of a ton of commercial coffee ranged between 4,000 and 5,000 dollars. However, a kilogram of specialty coffee can cost up to 10,000 dollars.

The government began exporting Cuban coffee as a product for select markets in small batches. It then allocated part of those proceeds to purchase low-quality coffee, which it blends and sells according to the rationing system.

The regime does not have a policy of transparency regarding the commercial management of the coffee produced in the country. Experts say that this sector is another source of income for the economy, with profits that seem to vanish without a trace.

At the 2022 International Coffee Congress, the Cuban government showcased five specialty coffees, promoted as jewels of the Cuban agribusiness, intended solely for export.

A few days ago, Hurricane Oscar severely impacted the coffee plantations in the municipality of Maisí, in Guantánamo, which alongside Santiago is the second largest coffee-producing area in Cuba. This situation is likely to cause significant damage to the national economy in 2025.

The marketing of gourmet Cuban coffee is another example of the contradictions in the island's economy. While it is internationally celebrated as "the best in the world," the people of Cuba look at their empty cups and wonder: Who is drinking my coffee?