Who is drinking my coffee?

[El Presidente]

 

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.

Café Segrá / ACN

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.

Cuban Coffee / J. R. Loo, in CiberCuba

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?

https://en.cibercuba.com/noticias/2024-11-09-u1-e199370-s27061-nid291711-cafe-cubano-mejor-mundo-segun-tasteatlas

 

[Corylax18]

13 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

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.

Just like every other "industry" in the country. 

Like cigars, I do think that the best Cuban coffee is the best in the world. But the stuff they give out through the ration system is vile. Over roasted, mixed with whatever cheap filler they can find and stored poorly, its a said excuse for coffee. 

[JohnS]

45 minutes ago, Corylax18 said:

Just like every other "industry" in the country. 

Like cigars, I do think that the best Cuban coffee is the best in the world. But the stuff they give out through the ration system is vile. Over roasted, mixed with whatever cheap filler they can find and stored poorly, its a said excuse for coffee. 

That reminds me exactly of what occurs in George Orwell's classic novel, "1984". In the novel, members of the Inner Party receive much, much better rations than members of the Outer Party. Wow...so here, truth is stranger than fiction!

[Chas.Alpha]

Yep.

[Ken Gargett]

2 hours ago, JohnS said:

That reminds me exactly of what occurs in George Orwell's classic novel, "1984". In the novel, members of the Inner Party receive much, much better rations than members of the Outer Party. Wow...so here, truth is stranger than fiction!

john, you honestly think that is just Orwell? every single totalitarian regime does exactly that. hell, here we have politicians given flight seating beyond the grasp of the average man (and you can bet that was all parties). 

[JohnS]

Ken, the same author (Orwell) did famously say that, "some animals are more equal than others."

[nKostyan]

I used drink Turqino, $15 per kilogram. It's not as rough as the others (Cubita, Guantanamera, Serrano, Caracollilo, etc.), fresh ground it smells like a good cigar. Now I bought a package from a new batch - it's full shit. I would say that this is not Cuban coffee. The rest of the brands have the same reviews, either completely overcooked or very weak taste. I do not exclude that this is a fake, because there are differences in the stamp of the factory. It's a pity, but I’ll have to replace it…

[BrightonCorgi]

15 hours ago, El Presidente said:

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.

I think author meant cocaine instead of specialty coffee.

[smokeyjoe01]

Surely they mean a ton, not ten thousand a kilo.

[Ryan]

48 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

I think author meant cocaine instead of specialty coffee.

 

2 minutes ago, smokeyjoe01 said:

Surely they mean a ton, not ten thousand a kilo 

It happens. People lose the run of themselves.
https://www.gcrmag.com/best-of-panama-auction-achieves-record-breaking-lot-price/

[amberleaf]

The best coffee comes from local (to me) roasters. I'm not interested in coffee roasted in the country of origin as it's usually stale by the time it gets here.

[Glass Half Full]

3 hours ago, amberleaf said:

The best coffee comes from local (to me) roasters. I'm not interested in coffee roasted in the country of origin as it's usually stale by the time it gets here.

I agree wholeheartedly.  

[Namisgr11]

I'm fine with sourcing my morning cuppa from places like Kona Hawaii, Honduras, and the Jamaican Blue Mountains. Blending is a surefire way to undermine character and flavor profile, especially when Cuba is doing so with recognized inferior beans.