- Looking for the Best Cuban cookbook?
- "Three Guys From Miami Celebrate Cuban" and "Three Guys From Miami Cook Cuban"
Glenn Lindgren: Many visitors to Miami are a little intimidated by the many walk-up windows serving Cuban snacks, sandwiches, and the ever popular Cuban coffee.
Jorge Castillo: For Cubans, sharing a coffee with friends is a social event -- a daily ritual!
Raúl Musibay: It's an act of friendship.
Glenn Lindgren: Learn a little bit about the traditions of drinking Cuban coffee and you will be quickly welcomed.
Jorge Castillo: Café Cubano or just a "cafecito" is espresso coffee Cuban style. It is very strong and sweet -- as it brews, the coffee actually drips into a little pot with several teaspoons of sugar.
Glenn Lindgren: Once the pot begins to fill, the person making the café uses a spoon to stir up the first few drops of coffee with the sugar in the pot to create a sweet, frothy foam -- called "espumita." This will rise to the top when the coffee is poured into the cup.
Jorge Castillo: Cuban coffee is served in a small cup -- like a shot of espresso. Step up to the walk up window, order a "café Cubano" or a cafecito.
Glenn Lindgren: You pay for the café when you get it -- you'll be surprised at how cheap it is. Most places in Miami sell it for 50 or 60 cents. Try getting a deal like that at Starbucks! A small tip for the server is also expected.
Jorge Castillo: Once your cafecito arrives, you normally drink it at the counter. Don't be surprised if your fellow cafecito drinkers strike up a conversation. A cafecito and conversation go hand in hand.
Raúl Musibay: You can also order Cuban coffee to go. If you order a "colada," you'll get a Styrofoam cup with a lid and several small plastic cups so you can share with friends.
Jorge Castillo: You'll also notice that most café take out windows provide cold water and paper cups. Some people drink the cold water first, to clear the palate, others drink it last to dilute the coffee in the stomach -- it's a topic of much debate.
Glenn Lindgren: For many non-Cubans, it takes a while to develop a taste for Cuban coffee. I never liked American-style coffee, but I quickly learned to LOVE Cuban coffee. It's the only kind of coffee that I drink now.
Raúl Musibay: If you need to get used to the taste, try ordering a "cortadito."
Glenn Lindgren: The last way to drink Cuban coffee is in a "Café con Leche." In most places you get a small cup of hot milk and a shot of Cuban coffee in a demitasse cup. At the table or counter, you dump the coffee into the milk and stir with a spoon.
Jorge Castillo: Café con leche is usually drunk at breakfast, with many people dunking Cuban bread or pastries into it.
Raúl Musibay: No matter how you drink, it tastes good!
Jorge Castillo: Next time you're in Miami, step up to the counter and order a cafecito.
Yes, You Can Cook Cuban Food! It's Easy!
We Show You How in Two Great Miami Cuban cookbooks:
WHY NOT BUY BOTH OF THESE GREAT CUBAN COOKBOOKS TODAY?
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