Best 5 Cuban Coffee Makers: Learn How To Use “Cafetera”

As opposed to regular coffee and espresso brews, which we are the most accustomed to, Cuban coffee is a bit different. It is much stronger, has an intense flavor, and at the same time, is sweet. That is why choosing the best Cuban coffee maker is so important.

Although you can use versatile coffee machines to brew Cuban coffee, you will achieve optimal results using only stovetop Moka pots. You don’t want to make the wrong choice so we gathered all the important information about the top 5 models. Read on and find your match!

The Rundown

What Is A Cuban Coffee Maker?

A Cuban coffee brewer is a very simple stovetop coffee machine. It features a base that holds water, a metal filter for coffee grounds, and a top part that holds the brewed coffee. It is also known as a Moka pot or a cafetera and can brew delicious Cuban coffee within 5 minutes.

How Does A Cuban Coffee Machine Work?

The water inside the base of the machine is heated to a boiling point. During this process, steam builds up inside the base and creates a pressurized chamber. Once the pressure becomes high enough, the water is pushed through the filter’s stem. This starts the brewing process and results in a powerful coffee concentration. The process ends once all the water is pushed out, steam escapes, and you are left with a delicious brew.

Other Brewers You Can Use To Make Cuban Coffee

While only stovetop brewers can produce a perfect Cuban coffee, there are some alternatives you can use if you don’t have one:

• Regular coffee machines – You won’t get the same consistency, but you can add Cuban coffee to the brewer’s filter and turn it on.
• Electric Moka pots – They are not heated the same way as stovetop brewers are so your brew will have a somewhat milder taste.

How To Make Cuban Coffee?

To make a perfect cup of Cuban coffee, you need to have an efficient Cuban coffee brewer. Apart from that, there are some steps you should follow to achieve the best results.

Simple Steps To A Perfect Cuban Brew

Stovetop Cuban coffee machines are fairly easy to use. By following these steps you can achieve perfect results with every use:

1. Choose coffee beans or grounds you want to use for your brew
2. Fill up the stovetop brewer’s basket with the grounds and slightly level them with your finger. Do not tamp them!
3. Pour fresh water into the bottom part of the pot up to the safety valve
4. Attach all parts of the brewer and place the pot on a stove. Keep the heat to a medium-low.
5. Measure out the desired amount of sugar and add it into a deep cup.
6. As soon as you have enough coffee inside the pot to cover its base, pour some coffee over the sugar. You should pour just enough to moisten the sugar.
7. Now beat the sugar with coffee until you get a caramel-colored foam known as espumita.
8. Once the rest of the coffee is brewed, pour it into your espresso cups without breaking the espumita.

Different Types Of Cuban Coffee

There are 3 different types of Cuban coffee, all of which use espresso as a starting point:

• Colada – a 4-ounce Cuban espresso shot with espumita. It is usually served using a styrofoam cup and additional mini plastic cups.
• Cortadito – an unsweetened Cuban espresso shot that is served with steamed milk.
• Cafe con Leche – an unsweetened Cuban espresso shot with steamed whole milk, commonly served at breakfast.

How Is Cuban Brew Different From Other Coffee Types?

Cuban coffee is essentially an espresso shot. However, some differences make it so distinctive from other brews:

• Espresso – Cuban coffee has the same caffeine level as espresso but has a distinctive dark look, an intense flavor, and is additionally sweetened during the brewing process.
• American Coffee – Cuban coffee is about twice as strong as American coffee. It has strong, thick, and slightly syrupy consistency with an amazing, intense aroma.

What To Expect From A Cuban Coffee Brewer?

Cuban coffee makers are essentially stovetop espresso machines. Before you decide which one you want to buy, consider its quality, capacity, efficiency, etc.

Design Quality

High-quality Cuban coffee brewers are very easy to spot. Since we are talking about stovetop machines, they are either made out of food-safe aluminum or stainless steel and can’t get easily damaged. If you need additional reassurance, you can look for an SCAA certified brewer.

Size & Capacity

A Cuban brewer with a capacity of 3.38 oz can brew up to 2 cups of coffee at once. On the other hand, a somewhat larger model with a capacity of 15.2 oz can brew up to 9 cups of Cuban coffee at once.

Stovetop Compatibility

Aluminum Cuban coffee brewers are usually made for use over electric, glass, gas, and camp stoves. Stainless steel Cuvan brewers work on electric, glass, camp, and even induction stovetops.

On-The-Road Use

Cuban coffee machines are suitable for on-the-road use. They come in a somewhat smaller size and are generally very lightweight so you can easily carry them on your camping and hiking trips. Since stovetops brewers don’t use any electricity, they are suitable for use in remote locations too.

Safety Features

Cuban coffee makers have a rubber seal that keeps the machine from leaking, a certified safety valve that keeps the pressure inside the boiler from reaching a dangerous point, coated heat-resistant handles that keep your hands safe from heat burns, etc.

5 Best Cuban Coffee Makers

All listed Cuban coffee machines offer exceptional quality and are easy to use. The first one features an aluminum design and is compatible with electric, gas, and camping stoves. On the other hand, the last one features a crystal glass-top and is just as durable and safe for use.

GROSCHE Espresso Maker Moka Pot

This Cuban coffee maker is made out of food-grade aluminum material. It is very easy to assemble/disassemble and clean. It comes with a soft-touch handle and knob with high heat resistance, and a high-quality non-toxic silicone seal that keeps the pot from leaking and maintains the pressure inside the boiler.

You can be sure that this brewer is perfectly safe to use. Apart from the mentioned silicone seal, it comes with a certified safety valve that is designed in Italy. It is made to keep the internal pressure inside the boiler from reaching a dangerous point. Additionally, its handle is rubber coated to ensure that you don’t suffer a heat burn.

Another thing worth mentioning is that you can use this machine on gas, electric, and camp stoves. Either way, you will achieve the best results in the shortest time possible. You can use it on a glass stovetop too but it won’t be as efficient. However, keep in mind that it is not suitable for use over induction stoves.

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Zulay Classic Stovetop Moka Pot

Its classic design makes this brewer very easy to use and clean. It features a durable cast aluminum body and a reinforced handle that is both ergonomic and heat-resistant. Its fine filter funnel is specially designed to strain and lift coffee to ensure you can pour out a smooth cup of your favorite brew.

This Cuban coffee maker is compatible for use only over gas and ceramic stovetops. Its design ensures that the heat gets evenly distributed throughout the brewer. As a result, you can achieve the velvety structure and an intense flavor thanks to which Cuban coffee stands out from the rest of the brews.

Make sure that you clean this brewer after every use. That way you will be able to enjoy it for a long time. It is recommended that you rinse it only with clean water and leave it to air-dry. You shouldn’t use any kind of dish soap because it removes the essential coffee oils that build up on the inside of the pot.

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LuxHaus Stovetop Espresso Moka Pot

Compared to the rest of the listed models, this Cuban coffee maker is entirely made out of high-grade stainless steel material. It is completely food-safe and offers high resistance to rust damage. Its durability ensures that you can carry it with you on your trips.

It is compatible with use over gas, electric, and even induction cooktops. If you carry it to a camping site, you can use it on a camp stove too. Due to its design, it heats up very quickly and provides a delicious brew in only a few minutes.

Its dispenser features a simple pop-out design thanks to which you can easily clean it. Additionally, its spout is designed to ensure that you can pour the brewed coffee straight into the cup without spilling it all over your countertops. With its heat-resistant handle, you never have to worry you might suffer a heat burn.

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Bialetti New Brikka Moka Pot

This is another Cuban coffee maker that provides simple performance. To use it properly simply fill up its boiler with water to the safety valve and add ground coffee to the coffee filter but don’t press it down. Close the pot and place it atop the stovetop. Once you hear gurgling sounds, your brew is ready to be served.

Due to its size and lightweight design, you can easily take this brewer on the road. Since you can use it over a camp stove, it can come in very handy while traveling to remote locations. ts only downside might be that it can only make up to 2 servings at once.

Even though this model is not dishwasher-safe, you won’t have any trouble cleaning it manually. Simply rinse it out with clean water. Don’t use any dish detergents as they might damage the brewer and by extension, damage the quality of the brew.

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GEESTA Premium Crystal Glass-Top Moka Pot

Compared to previously reviewed models, this brewer features a stainless steel base and a transparent glass kettle. Thanks to this feature you can safely observe the brewing process. The only downside is that it might accidentally break if you are not careful enough.

Its filter comes with fine holes that easily squeeze the coffee down and ensure a completely smooth brew. Its pouring spout is specially designed to ensure that you can easily fill up your cup with an even pour. Both its handle and the thumb lid-opener are heat-resistant and remain cool-to-touch even once the brewing process is done.

Out of all models, this brewer for Cuban coffee is the only one that is safe to clean inside a dishwasher. You can simply disassemble it and pop it in a dishwasher. Keep in mind that you should not reassemble it until all parts are thoroughly dry to avoid the possibility of rust.

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Cuban Coffee – Names, History & Origin

Once you choose a perfect Cuban coffee brewer, you might want to know a bit more about the history of the coffee itself.

What Is Cuban Coffee?

Cuban coffee, Cafecito, Cafe Cubano, or Cuban espresso is a type of espresso that comes from Cuba. Its name does not come from specific coffee beans, rather from the Cuban brewing method. It was first created when Italian espresso machines began to appear in Cuba which is why it is traditionally prepared using a traditional espresso machine or an Italian Moka pot, also known as a macchinetta.

Cuban Coffee: Origin & Cultivation Area

The most important coffee-growing parts of Cuba are Sierra Maestra Mountains, Escambray Mountains, Guaniguanico, Nipe, and Sagua-Baracoa Mountains. They have a favorable and fertile climate and rich soils that let coffee cultivate without the use of chemical fertilizers. That is why Cuba is known for its organic coffee.

From The Plant To Your Table: How Is It Made?

Coffee plants usually grow on steep hillsides. They are hand-picked and the beans are carried out using large sacks. Once they reach the drying area, the mountain people roast beans that are later pulverized in a wooden “Pilone”. After that, the coffee is steeped using hot water. Finally, the grounds are strained out with cloth handbags.

How Is Cuban Coffee Served?

Just like espresso, Cuban coffee is also served in small cups. The key to the most delicious brew is finding the perfect coffee grounds and sweetening option.

What Is The Best Cuban Coffee You Can Find?

If you want to achieve the best Cuban brew you need the best dark roast coffee grounds. The most common brands on the market are Kafetos and Pilon. If you are grinding coffee beans yourself, make sure that you make a coarse coffee powder.

Sweetening Options

You can use both granulated and brown sugar to brew a delicious cup of Cuban coffee. The main difference between the two is that brown sugar will give you a bit thicker sugar foam and a somewhat sweeter taste.

Is Cuban Coffee Healthy?

Cuban coffee contains caffeine due to which energy levels tend to increase. Since it is sweetened, it can have as many as 30 calories per shot. Although this may seem like a lot, it is a lower-calorie choice if you only have one or two cups.

Can You Buy It In the US?

Importation of Cuban coffee was prohibited in the US up until 2016 when president Barack Obama eased the trade embargoes with Cuba. Nowadays, you can easily purchase it on Amazon and you will pay approximately $20 to $30 for a 2-pound pack or less than $10 for a 6-ounce pack.