Journey back two centuries with me. Imagine coffee’s rich aroma wafting through the Cuban hills. Today we stand before Casa del Café.
Casa del Café offers a tempting glimpse into Cuba’s coffee history. This charming museum and café welcomes travelers from all over the world. It sits in the heart of the Guarajana Natural Reserve.
Coffee cultivation in the Sierra del Escambray began over two hundred years ago. This rustic café lets you discover its boom-bust history. You can sip the aromatic local brew called Cristal Mountain.
Just up the road lies Jardín de Variedades del Café. Stroll through the garden. Discover 25 varieties of coffee plants.
Inside Casa del Café, a typical campesino building awaits. Its traditional tile roof shelters a treasure trove of coffee artifacts. Explore a stupendous collection of documentary pieces. Admire various brands of grinders. Examine presses and farming objects. See baskets of vegetal fibers. Discover instruments that guarantee the coffee harvest.
The museum showcases 22 ways to prepare and present coffee. These methods are spread throughout the exhibit hall and patios.
Learn about coffea arabica. It is the most cultivated species on the island. Discover how Cuban campesinos care for the plant. They learned from their ancestors. The process starts with soil fertilization. They pay extreme attention to the postures and fruits.
After harvesting, the beans are selected. Only the best go to the roasters. From there, they find their way into the cafetera. Then the Creole ritual begins. Often it is accompanied by a good Habano cigar.
Casa del Café offers various coffee drinks. Try the traditional café criollo or a cappuccino. I suggest the Guaniquical. It blends ginger, dillenia, and Havana Club rum. The aroma is fascinating. Some say it is an aphrodisiac.
Coffee is more than a drink in Cuba. It is a symbol of welcome. Offering coffee means you are welcome. Cubans consume it several times a day. They start with breakfast. They drink it during lunch. They enjoy a few more cups before nightfall.
Coffee also plays a role in Afro-Cuban religions. It is used in rituals to please gods and honor the dead.
Cuba has the largest collection of coffee plantations. These plantations possess archaeological value. Some are part of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
José Martí wrote beautiful words about coffee. He described it as rich juice and soft fire. He said it enlivens the blood and cleanses the spirit.
Casa del Café is more than just a museum. It celebrates Cuba’s deep connection to coffee. You will leave with a greater appreciation for this cherished beverage.