Cuba Caracolillo (Peaberry) - Green Coffee

The Story Behind Cuban Coffee

The story behind Cuban coffee is one worth telling. Its origins can be traced back to a coffee tree believed to have been planted by a Spanish official during a visit to Cuba in the mid-18th century. It took almost half a century for coffee production to take off. Cubans owe this boom to French settlers who came to Cuba after having fled Haiti during the Haitian revolution. The latter arrived with their baggage of coffee growing experience and knew that the mountainous terrain was ideal for coffee growing.

The Mountains of Guantánamo

Caracolillo coffee beans thrive in the mountains of Guantánamo, eastern Cuba, where soils rich in mica and quartz, moderate climate, and frequent rains create an ideal microclimate for coffee cultivation. These small, round beans, reminiscent of peas, represent less than 2% of the region's total production. Cuba’s humid climate, gentle Atlantic winds, and traditional production methods combine to produce exceptional coffee.

Cuban Coffee Culture

Rigorous control and the harmonious development of Cuban coffee plantations allow these crops to be treated with great respect. In fact, Cubans attach great importance to maintaining and expanding their method of natural cultivation. Cuban territory being narrow, facilitates the circulation of trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean. Coffee grows under the canopy in very rich humus soil. Cubans are very patriotic and enjoy life to the fullest; they take great pride in their work and their land. The quality of this Cuban coffee reflects this. The plantations are managed by state-owned cooperatives where the use of fertilizers is completely prohibited and the cherries are harvested mainly by hand using traditional methods.

Additional Information

• Region: Guantánamo
• Altitude: 750 meters above sea level
• Cultivar: Typica
• Process: Washed
• Screen Size: 13+

Cup Profile

The boldness of Caracolillo Cuban coffee is distinguished by a rare combination of very intense aromas and a smooth texture as well as the unmistakable presence of dark chocolate notes.