Cuban coffee is known for its rich, sweet, and strong flavor, often served in small, concentrated shots. It’s a popular way to enjoy coffee in Cuba and among Cuban communities worldwide. Some variations of Cuban coffee include Café Cubano, which is the purest form, and Café con Leche, which is made by mixing Cuban coffee with steamed milk.
A Cuban coffee maker, often referred to as a “Cuban espresso maker” or “cafetera Cubana,” is a traditional coffee brewing device commonly used to make strong and flavorful Cuban coffee, also known as cafecito or Cuban espresso. This method of coffee preparation is an integral part of Cuban culture and is enjoyed by people of Cuban descent around the world.
The Cuban coffee maker typically consists of three main parts:
-
Bottom Chamber: This is the lower part of the coffee maker, which holds the water. It resembles a small, narrow, and cylindrical pot.
-
Middle Chamber: This section is placed on top of the bottom chamber and contains a metal coffee filter basket. Ground coffee is placed inside the filter basket.
-
Top Chamber: The top chamber screws onto the middle chamber, forming a tight seal. This is where the brewed coffee collects.
Here’s how you typically use a Cuban coffee maker:
-
Fill the Bottom Chamber: Pour water into the bottom chamber, filling it up to just below the safety valve.
-
Add Coffee: Fill the metal filter basket in the middle chamber with finely ground coffee. Traditionally, Cuban coffee is made with dark roast coffee beans, and the coffee grounds should be compacted but not too tight.
-
Assemble the Coffee Maker: Screw the middle chamber onto the bottom chamber, ensuring a snug fit.
-
Heat the Coffee Maker: Place the assembled coffee maker on a stovetop burner. Use medium heat to start the brewing process.
-
Wait for Brew: As the water in the bottom chamber heats up, it will create steam pressure, forcing hot water through the coffee grounds and into the top chamber. This process usually takes a few minutes.
-
Serve: Once the coffee has brewed and collected in the top chamber, remove the coffee maker from the heat source. Carefully pour the strong Cuban coffee into small espresso cups or demitasse cups.
-
Sweeten (optional): Many people enjoy Cuban coffee sweetened with sugar. You can add sugar to your coffee cup before or after pouring the coffee.
