Coffee drinks have long been a part of Cuban culture. They have created their own unique coffees with amazing flavors and aromas. It is one of the most popular drinks in Cuba. Colada coffee is made with espresso and sugar.
A coffee lover must try this scrumptious coffee flavor, especially if you prefer espresso with sugar. Also, you can easily brew and enjoy this drink at home.
In recent years, Cuba has emerged as a coffee producer and exported it to Europe and Japan. The brewing method for Cuban coffee is unique and intriguing. Colada and Cortadito are two highly consumed Cuban coffees.
In this article, I will discuss everything about Cuban Colada coffee and how to make it. And how it differs from other Cuban coffee flavors.
Check the Caffe Misto recipe.
What is Colada coffee?
Colada is an espresso drink with sugar. It is a larger and sharable version of Cafecito, the Cuban espresso. It is also called Cuban coffee.
Colada coffee adds dark roasted coffee beans and sweetened with sugar foam. The bit of sugar and a tablespoon of espresso create a layer of crema at the top. You can brew this coffee in a Moka pot or espresso machine.
In keeping with Cuban culture and tradition, it is prepared for four to six servings and served in small plastic cups to friends and family.
Also, try brown sugar iced coffee recipe at home.
How to make Colada coffee at home?
Ingredients
Cuban Colada is made for 4 to 6 servings.
- Espresso
- Sugar and brown sugar will be perfect.
Tools
- Espresso machine
- 4 to 6 metal cups
- Metal spoon
- A jug
Instructions
- Completely fill the espresso machine with ground coffee.
- Add two sugar spoons to your metal coffee cup.
- Now fill the espresso machine with water and place the cup of sugar under it.
- Start the espresso machine and pour a few drops into a cup containing sugar. And stir the cup with a spoon to get a beige color crema.
- Now put a jug underneath the espresso machine.
- Pour espresso into the jug with sugar foam. Stir sugar foam and espresso to dissolve it.
- A light foam will emerge at the top when espresso and sugar foam dissolve entirely in a jug.
- Now a colada coffee is ready to drink. Pour the colada coffee into small cups and share it with friends, family, or coworkers.
Taste
Like any other espresso, the essence of this drink is strong and bitter. However, adding espuma or sugar makes it sweeter, milder, and slightly Smokey.
Caffeine content
It depends on the brand you use for colada coffee. Every brand uses different types of coffee beans. For example, Café Bustelo has a caffeine content of 60 to 90 mg per 6 oz. Cup.
However, usually, a Cuban coffee colada contains 484 mg of caffeine per 8 servings. It means a single drink contains around 80 to 90 mg of caffeine.
Colada coffee
Equipment
- coffee beans
- espresso machine
- 4 metal cups
- A jug
Ingredients
- ground coffee
- 4 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- fill the espresso machine with ground coffee
- Add two sugar spoons to your metal coffee cup
- Fill the espresso machine with water and place the cup of sugar under it
- Start the espresso machine and pour a few drops into a cup containing sugar
- Now stir the cup with a spoon to get a beige color crema
- put a jug underneath the espresso machine
- Pour espresso into the jug with sugar foam
- Stir sugar foam and espresso to dissolve it
- A colada coffee is ready to drink. Pour the colada coffee into small cups and share it
Notes
Which coffee beans are the best coffee Colada?
Cuban Colada coffee uses the same beans that we use for espresso. Robusta and Arabica coffee beans are being grown in Cuba.
However, Arabica coffee makes perfect coffee and Cubans prefer it over other coffee beans. Sierra Maestra region produces the best Arabica coffee beans.
Here is a list of a few brands that make coffee beans best for Colada and other Cuban coffee flavors. You can also shop these flavors online.
Bustelo Supreme whole bean espresso
The best coffee beans producer of Cuban coffee beans. They prepare medium roasted beans, explicitly giving a smoother flavor.
Chock Full O’Nuts Cuban roast ground coffee
Another excellent coffee-producing company. It gives a sweet taste and floral aroma.
Cafe Pilon espresso coffee
They produce dark-roasted coffee beans that come with a solid coffee taste. However, these coffee beans make a less bitter taste and aroma, creating a smoother coffee.
Naviera Cuban Style dark roasted coffee
It gives an intense and bold coffee flavor. Naviera makes darkly roasted coffee beans. A perfect coffee bean for colada coffee.
What makes an excellent Colada coffee? (A few helpful brewing tips)
As I told you earlier, high-quality coffee beans are essential ingredients to make an ideal colada coffee. Always check good quality coffee beans for espresso.
The following features are exclusive to Cuban coffees.
What is Espuma?
A key component of Cuban coffee culture. A frothy Espuma is an essential ingredient of all Cuban coffees. It adds a few drops of espresso or freshly brewed coffee and a tablespoon of brown sugar.
If brown sugar is not available, you can use white sugar. Mix sugar and espresso vigorously until you get a frothy mixture.
This Espuma will be topping Colada and other Cuban coffees.
Sharing Colada coffee
The other feature of this drink is the colada coffee is specially made for sharing with coworkers and family members. It is prepared and shared in 4 to 6 coffee cups.
What is the difference between different Cuban coffee drinks?
Cuban coffee flavors know its different and unique tastes. Some Cuban coffees are exceptional and give amazing flavors and aromas.
But you should know the difference between these coffees to understand them and make a better choice.
So check how colada coffee is different or similar to other Cuban coffees.
Colada coffee vs. Cafe Cubano
Café Cubano is also known as Cafecito in Cuba. This coffee is very similar to the Colada coffee drink. Café Cubano adds some sugar to get milder and sweeter taste.
Colada and Cubano coffee come with similar ingredients and methods. Like Colada Coffee, café Cubano uses coffee or espresso and Espuma on the top.
In contrast, Cubano brews one single cup, unlike colada coffee. While colada coffee brews in batches to serve at least 4 to 6 cups.
Colada coffee vs. Cortadito
Cortadito is a strong and bitter Cuban coffee, the short version of Café con Leche.
It comes with one part milk and one part espresso or coffee and topped with whipped sugar.
Unlike Colada, the Cortadito uses an equal volume of milk to espresso. Also, you can serve it in a single cup.
However, both drinks add traditional Espuma to sweeten the coffee.
Cortadito like a cortado brews for friends and family. You can serve and share it with your family.
Colada vs. Café Con Leche
Café con Leche is another amazing Cuban coffee. It is made with espresso and milk with a ratio of 80:20. It is a sweeter drink with a bold espresso flavor.
In contrast to Café con Leche, Colada doesn’t use milk but sugar and espresso.
Café con Leche serves in a large glass, similar to a latte. Also, it brews for single person.
Do you know latte is served hot or cold?
Final thoughts
If you travel to Cuba you will find this is a highly preferred and consumed drink in Cuba. In recent times it has gained popularity in some states of America.
This coffee uses Espuma a unique part of Cuban coffee culture.
I suggest you taste this coffee; it will give an exclusive and robust flavor. Also, it is very similar to brewing any espresso drink.
Check the difference between Gibraltar and Cortado.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Cuban coffee strong?
One of the reasons is it uses dark espresso roast. Dark roasts add Smokey and bitter notes.
Why is Cuban coffee so caffeinated?
Cuban coffee is more caffeinated than any other coffee in the world. Because it is ground finer and has a short brewing time.
Why is Cuban coffee so sweet?
The Cuban coffee adds Espuma to its drink. Espuma adds a spoonful of brown sugar and a few drops of espresso. It adds sweetness to intense Cuban coffee.
