The best Cuban coffee has a distinct flavor and an unmatched boldness to it. If you don’t know a lot about Cuban coffee, though, it can be challenging to find one that satisfies your palette.
After conducting extensive research, we discovered that when it comes to the best Cuban coffee on the market, Supreme by Bustelo Whole Bean Espresso Coffee takes the cake for its rich, bold flavor. We tested 7 different Cuban coffee brands and found that this one stood out among the rest.
Not only does Supreme by Bustelo boast a strong, slightly sweet taste and a rich dark roast, but the beans aren’t oily like other brands. Plus, when you grind and brew them fresh at home, the aroma is heavenly.
While Supreme by Bustelo is our personal favorite, we understand that everyone’s taste preferences are different. That’s why we also included other top picks for different “best for” scenarios.
Keep reading to learn more about our top 7 picks and find the perfect Cuban coffee for your taste buds.
Our List of the Best Cuban Coffee
- Our Top Pick – Supreme by Bustelo Whole Bean Espresso Coffee
- Best Organic Blend – Mayorga Dark Roast Coffee
- Sweetest Flavor – Kahwa Cuban Coffee
- Boldest Flavor – Café La Llave Espresso Coffee
- Best Pre-Ground – Chock Full o’Nuts Cuban Roast Ground Coffee
- Smoothest Roast – Naviera Cuban Style Dark Roasted Coffee
- Best Gourmet Option – Pilon Whole Bean Restaurant Blend Espresso Coffee
The 7 Best Cuban Coffee Brands
We understand that when it comes to coffee, you want the best — and that includes Cuban coffee! Here are our top 7 picks for the best Cuban coffee brands.
1 Supreme by Bustelo Whole Bean Espresso Coffee
If you’ve been looking for a gourmet roast that’s sure to satisfy, look no further than Supreme by Bustelo Whole Bean Espresso coffee. The Bustelo brand is well-known for making darn-good coffee, so you know you can trust anything that comes from them.
The really great thing about the dark beans in Supreme by Bustelo is that they’re not super oily, so they won’t gunk up your grinder or stain your coffee machine. This also makes for a smoother roast, which you can either drink black or sweeten with cream and sugar.
Pros
- Smooth roast
- Great for espresso
- Beans aren’t too oily
- Smoky, sweet flavor profile
- Makes delicious Cuban Cafe con Leche
Cons
- Has a bitter aftertaste, which is not for some
- A bit on the expensive side
2 Mayorga Dark Roast Coffee
If you like organic coffee, Mayorga Dark Roast is going to be your new best friend. This top-notch Cuban coffee brand uses only organic, non-GMO beans — which means you’ll always get the good stuff when you opt for Mayorga coffee.
Mayorga’s beans come from several family-owned farms across South America, and their flavor profile is syrupy and smoky. They come in whole bean format, which means you can grind them yourself every time you want to brew a delicious cuppa.
Pros
- Rich and creamy flavor
- Mild and fruity afternote
- Great for French Press
- Perfect for cold brew
Cons
- Beans are a bit oily
- Reviews indicate that it’s a bit weak for a dark roast
3 Kahwa Cuban Coffee
For all those coffee drinkers out there who have a sweet tooth, Kahwa Cuban coffee is for you. The bold, intense flavor of Kawha Cuban coffee is sure to wake you up and give you the jolt of energy you need for your work day.
Brewing this coffee in your home will fill your kitchen with a heavenly smell, which we believe is one of the best things about coffee in the first place. As far as Cuban coffee goes, Kahwa coffee is nice and smooth. It works especially well in espressos, so give it a try sometime!
Pros
- Authentic taste
- Delicious, flavorful aroma
- Robust and nuanced flavor profile
Cons
- May put stress on your espresso machine
- Reviews indicate that the pre-ground package is ground too fine
4 Café La Llave Espresso Coffee
We absolutely love Café La Llave espresso coffee. Its flavor is bold, rich, and smooth, which means it makes for a top-notch cuppa. Cuban coffee is supposed to be rich and robust, and Café La Llave coffee doesn’t disappoint.
The beans are dark and smoky but are still slightly sweet in flavor and aroma. Make sure to store it in an airtight container to keep the coffee fresh.
Pros
- Potent and strong
- Bold flavor profile
- Great for drip coffee or espresso
- Convenient packaging
Cons
- A bit expensive
- May be too bitter for some
5 Chock Full o’Nuts Cuban Roast Ground Coffee
If it’s convenience you’re after, you should definitely give Chock Full o’Nuts Cuban Roast a try. This brand of Cuban coffee has a pleasant aroma, and it’s stored in a stainless steel container to maintain its freshness.
In terms of flavor, Chock Full o’Nuts is strong, bold, and sweet. When it comes to cost, this coffee is one of the cheapest on our list, but you’ll certainly be getting a lot of bang for your buck.
Pros
- Bold flavor profile
- Super flavorful for pre-ground coffee
- Bargain cost
Cons
- Not as flavorful as more expensive coffee brands
- Bitter aftertaste
6 Naviera Cuban Style Dark Roasted Coffee
Brew yourself a cup of Naviera Cuban Style Dark Roast and experience a smooth and robust chicory flavor unlike any other. This one is an acquired taste, for sure, but don’t let that stop you from at least trying it!
Naviera Cuban Style Dark Roast is pretty cheap considering the value of the coffee, so it’s a great choice for coffee connoisseurs on a budget. It is, however, a little low on caffeine, so it might not wake you up as much as other Cuban coffee brands.
Pros
- Very smooth and rich finish
- Robust flavor profile
- Unique taste
Cons
- Not the strongest
- Taste isn’t for everyone
7 Pilon Whole Bean Restaurant Blend Espresso Coffee
Do you enjoy the nostalgic feeling of drinking coffee in a restaurant or diner? If yes, you’ll certainly enjoy Pilon Whole Bean Restaurant Blend Espresso Coffee. Pilon is a very popular Cuban coffee brand, and it never fails to impress.
Pilon’s restaurant blend in particular offers a darker, creamier roast. The fact that it comes in whole beans means you can grind and brew it at home, which should really help bring out the rich flavor.
Pros
- Deep, rich flavor profile
- Tastes great with cream and sugar
- Smooth roast with a nice froth
Cons
- Slightly bitter aftertaste
- A bit costly
What is Cuban Coffee?
Cuban coffee is a traditional Cuban drink that’s beloved across South and North America. It’s known for being much stronger than North American coffee, which is in part due to the roasting techniques used. Cuban coffee is typically used to make café Cubano and Cuban Cafe con Leche, both of which have become quite popular among Cuban locals and tourists alike.
Cuban coffee is typically characterized by its pleasant aroma and strong, robust flavor profile. It’s especially delicious when used to make espresso due to its intense flavor, however, it’s also quite good if you drink it black or with a little bit of cream and sugar mixed in. A lot of people like to brew it in a Moka pot, as that helps to extract the rich flavor. One of the best things about Cuban coffee is its versatility, so don’t be afraid to experiment with it!
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Cuban Coffee?
Buying coffee always tends to be more complicated than you think it will be. There are plenty of great choices out there, especially when it comes to Cuban coffee. How, then, are you supposed to make a decision?
The next time you’re purchasing coffee, take the following factors into consideration before grabbing the first pack of Cuban Coffee you discover.
The Roast
Most of the Cuban coffee options you’ll come across will be a dark roast. Cuban coffee is generally best suited for people who love a strong cuppa in the morning, after all! That said, if you prefer light and medium roasts, you should still be able to find something that satisfies your palette. You might have to look a little harder to find a Cuban light roast, but the rich flavor profile will be well worth it!
The Price
Naturally, you’re going to want to consider the price of the coffee you’re buying. Expensive Cuban coffee is usually richer in flavor, but if you know where to look, you should have no trouble finding a Cuban coffee brand that fits your budget, nurtures your soul, and wakes you up in the morning. Don’t be afraid to try a few different brands if you’re not sure what you like yet. Sometimes, the cheapest coffee brands can end up being the most delicious! It’s just a matter of taste and personal preference.
The Texture
There are few things less pleasant than a gritty cup of coffee. Because Cuban coffee is so dark, you may worry about it having a gritty texture. However, most of the time, this is not the case. Cuban coffee tends to be quite smooth and syrupy. Just make sure to choose a reputable brand, as that will have an effect on the quality of the coffee.
The Flavor Profile
Some people believe that all coffee tastes pretty much the same, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! When it comes to flavor, picking out a brand of coffee tends to be a matter of personal taste — and that’s definitely the case for Cuban coffee. Some prefer a sweet, nutty flavor while others opt for the unique chicory flavor found in Naviera Cuban Style Dark Roast.
Our Verdict
There are plenty of different Cuban coffee brands to choose from, but which one is the absolute best? Well, most everyone’s favorite (us included) is Supreme by Bustelo Whole Bean Espresso Coffee. This coffee is smooth and smoky, and its non-oily whole beans make for a perfect grind for an even more perfect espresso or drip coffee.
When it comes to picking out a brand of Cuban coffee, you should take the roast, the flavor, the texture, and the price into consideration. Being aware of a coffee brand’s specific flavor profile should aid you when you’re making your decision. You can usually find this information on the bag, or you can feel free to keep this guide bookmarked.
FAQs
This is, of course, completely up to you. Some people like the convenience of pre-ground Cuban coffee, but pre-ground coffee tends to lack flavor in comparison to whole bean Cuban coffee. If you have your own grinder, we recommend buying whole beans just so you can experience the full richness of the coffee’s flavor profile.
Cuban coffee is traditionally brewed in a Moka pot as that helps to extract the flavor, and many people use it to make espresso. That said, you can also use Cuban coffee to make drip coffee or brew it in an ordinary coffee maker.
If you want the famous “crema” or froth to form on the top of your coffee, you’d be best suited to using Cuban coffee beans.
Due to the grind being finer and the brew time being shorter, Cuban coffee has a much higher caffeine content than American coffee does. A lot of people choose to drink Cuban coffee over American coffee because it does a better job of waking them up in the morning.
