She did it! A Cuban woman brought hidden strawberries to her family in Cuba, and here’s how they reacted upon tasting them for the first time

A young woman brought strawberries to her family in Cuba hidden in thermal cups, overcoming food restrictions. The video shows the emotional reaction and highlights the lack of access to basic products.

Cubans tasting strawberriesPhoto © @diane.nails / TikTok

A young Cuban managed to bring strawberries from abroad to her family in Cuba by hiding them inside thermal containers, successfully passing them through the airport without any issues, as she showcased in a video posted on TikTok.

"I said I was going to try, and they made it through. I brought a bottle in each suitcase, and they made it through just fine," explained the user identified as @diane.nails, who shared images of the touching moment when her family in Cuba tasted the fruit.

The images show two women and a girl joyfully enjoying fresh strawberries with evident excitement. The fruits were carefully concealed within two large thermal cups, one pink and the other beige, allowing for discreet transport without arousing suspicion.

Strawberries, a fruit virtually inaccessible to most Cubans due to their scarcity in state and private markets, caused a sensation among the young woman's relatives.

The video has generated multiple reactions on social media, where users celebrate the ingenuity of the Cuban woman and highlight the difficulties that families on the island face in accessing basic or imported products.

The publication highlights the food restrictions that still persist in the country and how Cubans resort to creativity to share flavors with their loved ones that are commonplace in other parts of the world.

Frequently Asked Questions about Accessing Products in Cuba

Why are strawberries almost inaccessible in Cuba?

Strawberries are practically inaccessible in Cuba due to their scarce presence in state and private markets, making them a luxury for most Cubans. The cultivation of strawberries is not common on the island due to climatic conditions and the lack of resources for their production, which limits their availability and drives up their price. Additionally, economic restrictions and general shortages in the country hinder access to a wide variety of agricultural and imported products.

How do Cubans abroad manage to send products to their families in Cuba?

Cubans abroad resort to ingenious methods to bring products to their families in Cuba, using hand luggage meticulously organized with food and basic necessities. Videos on social media showcase how items like cheeses, cold cuts, sweets, and hygiene products are carefully packaged to maximize space and avoid issues at airport inspections. These efforts reflect the necessity of supporting their loved ones in the face of scarcity on the island.

What difficulties do Cubans face in accessing basic products?

Cubans are facing serious difficulties accessing basic products due to widespread shortages and high prices in the country. Economic restrictions, the lack of efficient local production, and limitations on importing goods exacerbate the situation. This forces many families to rely on shipments from abroad or to seek creative alternatives to obtain essential items, which also reflects the inequality in access to goods between Cuba and other nations.

What impact do food restrictions have on the daily lives of Cubans?

Food restrictions profoundly impact the daily lives of Cubans, limiting their access to a varied and balanced diet. The scarcity of food and basic products forces families to make extraordinary efforts to obtain what they need, whether through purchases in black markets, shipments from relatives abroad, or self-cultivation under difficult conditions. This situation creates a reliance on creative solutions and exacerbates inequalities in access to essential resources.

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Yare Grau

Originally from Cuba, but living in Spain. I studied Social Communication at the University of Havana and later graduated in Audiovisual Communication from the University of Valencia. I am currently part of the CiberCuba team as an editor in the Entertainment section.