The history of Puerto Rican coffee has been a bumpy ride. Coffee is a quality export, but other issues get in the way of its popularity. Farmers have to fight for the recognition they deserve!
Don't be fooled - the coffee from Puerto Rico was once in the limelight and was highly praised. A delve into the history and how things have changed will tell the full story. It was even the official coffee of the Pope for centuries! Surely, now it's time for Puerto Rico to re-enter the competition!
The Puerto Rican Coffee Industry Today
Despite Puerto Rico seeing some struggles in making a good name for themselves in the coffee industry today, the country has many reasons to be proud. It is still the number one coffee producer of any American territory or state. And it's working to regain the reputation it once had.
Last year, it produced around 10 million pounds of coffee. The only other part of America that compares to Puerto Rico is Hawaii.
Now, a growing number of Puerto Rican farmers are choosing to grow specialty coffee. This is a higher quality than commercial coffee and requires more shade to grow. There's a strong focus on educating farmers to grow quality crops. This might bump up the price, but most coffee lovers will pay when it's great!
.The best Puerto Rican coffee grows in rich volcanic soil in an ideal climate, with cloud cover and tree shade. The altitude sits at over 3000 feet above sea level. These factors lead to a slow-ripening bean, giving it more time to develop sugars and flavors. It stays on the tree for two months longer than it would at lower elevations.
Although once the principle export, coffee is no longer one of Puerto Rico's top export. This isn't down to the quality, though. It's down to the high cost of production and political issues.
The History of Puerto Rican Coffee
1700's
This marks the time that the coffee bean first arrived in Puerto Rico. It came from the island of Martinique during the Spanish colonial rule. At first, it was just used by the locals, not for international trade.
Growth was centered in the central and western mountainous regions. Towards the late 1700's, the island was producing over one million pounds of coffee each year.
1800's
Coffee became the number one export of Puerto Rico. It had a name for itself in the global market, too. Puerto Rico was the seventh largest producer of coffee in the world.
Often, Europeans are thanked for the ever-increasing quality of the coffee. Immigrants from overseas brought their expertise and helped to encourage quality coffee growth.
1900's
Puerto Rico became U.S. territory, and this had a huge effect on the crops it grew. It also made production more expensive and many growers couldn't compete with international markets.
Sugar became the principle export of Puerto Rico. Coffee moved aside and production declined rapidly. Most coffee fields were replaced with sugar cane fields. This isn't to say that quality also declined. It stayed the same, but as importance was no longer placed on coffee, it wasn't well-marketed.
The last decade
Suffice to say, the world hasn't forgotten about the quality of Puerto Rican coffee. At least, we are slowly remembering! There has recently been a resurgence of production. Farmers are growing more and selling more, and consumers are appreciating it again.
How to Make Puerto Rican Coffee
With such high-quality coffee, the Puerto Ricans like to keep things simple. There's no grande, venti or any other size-ups you might think of! If you want to know how to make Puerto Rican coffee like the locals, there's no need for fancy additions.
Coffee is all about strength here. You should serve it in small cups, and there are three ways to go about it:
- Espresso: Take one shot of coffee without milk. Often in Puerto Rico, it is made using an espresso machine.
- Cortadito: This is a slightly less intense espresso. It is a shot of coffee that is layered with steamed milk.
- Café con leche: This is like a latte. It is a shot of coffee with more warm milk than the cortadito.
Buy some authentic coffee beans grown in Puerto Rico and you'll truly be able to appreciate them by keeping things simple. No need for added sugar or cream, it's all about enjoying the true taste of the beans.
Where to Find the Best Puerto Rican Coffee
You probably want to see some Puerto Rican coffee growing in the flesh. There are many ways you can do this. You'll have the chance to experience the growth of the coffee plants and get first dibs on tasting a cup! Before you do, let's see what treats and tastes are in store for you:
- Because of the slow-ripening of the coffee beans, a sort of "pre-brew" occurs. The bean gets a rich flavor and a slightly sweet aftertaste.
- It is a classic taste of the Caribbean. Soft, mild and yet powerful, with a fruity edge.
- You'll notice a hint of sweetness and fragrance with each cup.
- Full-bodied and well-balanced flavor.
If you ever find yourself in Puerto Rico at a loose end, why not go on a coffee tour, Puerto Rico is famous for them! You'll get to see the journey from tree to bag to the cup. This is the best way to educate yourself on coffee from here, and also to try it as fresh as it gets!
The tours usually last a full day, giving you time to appreciate the local area and the farms. Find out how the locals make this quality coffee. I recommend going between October and December. This is the harvesting and processing period, where you'll get the most out of your visit.
The best Puerto Rican coffee
Some of the best coffee comes from a city called Yauco. It's nicknamed El Pueblo del Café. ("The City of Coffee", for those that don't speak Español!) Yauco coffee grows within the mountains, and the city produces the "Café Yauco Selecto" brand. It is premium quality, truly some of the best you can find in Puerto Rico.
You might also want to try a cup of Alto Grande, of super premium quality. It is only one of three in the world that carries this label, so is the best of the best! The only other coffees in its category come from Hawaii's Kona coffee and Jamaica's Blue Mountain Coffee.
The Bottom Line
Like many places, Puerto Rico has struggled to upkeep its good name in the coffee industry. This isn't down to quality though, and many consumers could be missing out on their new favorite coffee!
You should always make up your own mind. Try some Puerto Rican coffee beans and see for yourself. These days, the farmers there go for quality over quantity, promising that each sip will be delicious!
