Cuban coffee recovers after calamity

[El Presidente]

Cuban coffee recovers after calamity

http://www.cubaheadlines.com/2011/03/02/29833/cuban_coffee_recovers_after_calamity.html

The Cuban media has reported that their coffee industry is recovering after a tropical storm damaged crops in October last year.

The country has announced a target of 6,700 tons of semi-processed coffee beans for 2011, having already harvested almost 2,700 tons in Santiago de Cuba – the country's most productive coffee-producing area.

The socialist nation – which loves its coffee as much as it does its cigars – suffered a major decline in its coffee output after the communist takeover nationalised industry in the late 1950s. Production underwent a slight recovery in the late '70s/early '80s but suffered again with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990.

Cuban coffee remains highly sought after on the world market, but today only makes up about 1% of Cuba's total exports, compared to 3.9% in 1956, when its exports exceeded 20,000 tons.

Today Cuba relies heavily on imports for its domestic consumption, with locally grown beans being rationed to citizens at the rate of 2 ounces per adult every fortnight.

Cuban leader Raul Castro (brother of Fidel) hopes a boost in consumption might bring an end to rationing.

"If we want to drink pure coffee without rations, the only solution is to produce it in Cuba," he said.</H1>

[Habanakane21]

Never had Cuban coffee, but in peoples opinion...is it better than Kona or Jamaican Blue Mountain?

[mazolaman]

Never had Kona,but the cuban coffee I have had was the best I'd tasted,better then the blue mountain I'd had.

Obviously both are bloody good though......

Interesting reading though...looks (or seems like) Raul is trying to get Cuba producing again...

[anacostiakat]

Love Cuban coffee. . .