Cigar World's Roast & Toast: Coffee Culture in Miami

Cigar World's City Survival Series: Miami

Miami’s coffee culture is an integral part of the city’s long traditional and vibrant identity. The rich flavors, cultural heritage, and community connections create a tapestry as rich and beautiful as the city. Miami’s Café Cubano, as the name suggests, is rooted in the traditions of Cuba. Cafecito, as it is commonly referred to, is not only a beverage; it can be a ritual, a social catalyst, and a bold representation of the city’s heritage. The aromatic notes of robust Cafecito are a perfect complement to the earthy richness of a well-crafted cigar. This combination isn’t a simple indulgence: it’s a celebration of Miami’s cultural fusion where the boldness of coffee intertwines with the pleasure of a fine hand-rolled cigar.

The iconic Cafecito is the heart of Miami’s coffee culture. It is a small yet powerful espresso shot, sweetened with raw, unrefined demerara sugar, that is a daily ritual for people across the city. The drink is made using dark roasted beans ground fine and brewed in a metal moka pot. This not only ensures a robust experience but also the extra bit of oil in the dark roasted beans plays a role in creating la crema. Well-made crema is vital in creating the perfect Cafecito. When whipped together with sugar, a sweet foam rises and sits on top of the coffee. The drink is intense, with a ratio of sugar to coffee that is 4 to 1, so it is consumed in small quantities using tiny cups.

One cannot talk about Miami’s Cuban coffee culture without mentioning ventanitas – small, walk-up windows found in cafes all over the city. These ventanitas are not just a place to order one’s favorite coffee beverage or enjoy an empanada; they are a place to meet and have a chat or just take a moment to relax, but above all else these windows bridge the diverse communities of the city using the universal language of food. Little Havana boasts approximately two ventanitas per block so every local has their favorite window at which to savor the rich, freshly brewed Cafecito.

In Miami, a coffee break is not just a quick caffeine fix. Cafecito breaks are a moment to pause and connect. It provides an opportunity for coworkers, friends, and family to come together to discuss news or current events, or simply share stories and goodwill. It’s not uncommon for workplaces to create a designated Cafecito break. This fosters a sense of team camaraderie and a shared experience to boost interconnectedness and creativity over a cup of coffee. It is meant to be shared between people at any time of the day, but the official Miami Cafecito time is 3:05 PM. In 2013, city officials decided to make it officially 3:05 because 305 is the area code for Miami and surrounding areas, further solidifying the connection between Miami’s residents and their unique coffee culture.

Cuban coffee in Miami is not just a beverage; it’s an art form. As with cigars, the skills are passed down through generations, and the daily ritual is shared among all walks of life. Both are truly cultural symbols that bridge past and present and brew community conversation and personal connection with every sip and puff.