What Cuban Coffee Tastes Like: Turquino & Extra Turquino Explained

You’ve probably heard of Cuban cigars—but what about Cuban coffee? If a country so famed for its tobacco also grows coffee, you’d hope it delivers something exceptional. The truth? It does. But political and trade barriers have kept most of the world in the dark about what Cuban specialty coffee really tastes like.

Cuba’s finest specialty-grade coffees are graded as Turquino or Extra Turquino—not place names, but quality designations, much like Jamaica’s Blue Mountain. These beans are known for balanced flavor, medium body, and lower acidity due to lower growing elevations compared to Central American coffees.

What Is Cuban Specialty Coffee?

Cuban specialty coffee refers to high-quality beans grown and processed under strict grade standards. The top two recognized grades are Turquino and Extra Turquino. These are not geographic regions but quality tiers, similar to how Blue Mountain denotes grade rather than origin. The classification focuses on bean quality, processing consistency, and cup profile—not just geography.

Turquino & Extra Turquino: Flavor & Profile

Both Turquino and Extra Turquino coffees are described as having a pure, clean flavor. They are considered well-balanced, with a medium body and lower acidity. This lower acidity is attributed to the relatively lower altitude at which they’re grown, especially when compared to the bright, high-acid profiles of many Central American coffees. While detailed tasting notes may vary by farm and process, the general profile leans toward smoothness with subtle complexity.

Why Aren’t We Drinking More Cuban Coffee?

Despite its potential, Cuban coffee remains rare on the global specialty market. The country’s political climate and trade restrictions have limited its export reach. Experts suggest that, without these barriers, Cuba could easily become a key coffee supplier to markets like the United States and Japan. Its proximity, climate, and existing production infrastructure suggest strong potential—if international trade policies allowed.

How Cuban Coffee Grades Work

The terms Turquino and Extra Turquino refer to coffee quality grades, not specific farms or regions. This is analogous to how Blue Mountain coffee is a classified grade, not solely tied to a single mountain in Jamaica. In Cuba’s system, these grades indicate beans that meet specific criteria for processing, bean quality, and cup characteristics. The focus is on delivering a consistent and refined specialty coffee experience, regardless of the exact growing location within Cuba.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Turquino coffee?

Turquino is a grade of Cuban specialty coffee, not a place. It indicates high-quality beans with balanced flavor and medium body, similar to how Blue Mountain designates a premium coffee grade rather than a single origin.

What does Extra Turquino mean?

Extra Turquino is a higher or more refined grade of Cuban coffee, also indicating quality rather than origin. It is comparable to other classified coffee grades like Jamaica Blue Mountain, focusing on superior cup characteristics.

Is Cuban coffee high in acidity?

No. Cuban Turquino and Extra Turquino coffees typically have lower acidity compared to many Central American coffees. This is due to the lower growing altitudes in Cuba, which result in a smoother, less bright cup profile.

Why is Cuban coffee hard to find?

Cuban coffee is rarely exported due to political and trade restrictions. These barriers limit availability in global markets, especially in the U.S. and other major coffee-consuming countries.

Could Cuban coffee be a major export?

Yes. Experts believe that without political constraints, Cuba could become a significant coffee supplier to countries like the U.S. and Japan, thanks to its existing infrastructure and suitable growing conditions.

Where is Cuban coffee grown?

The article does not specify exact regions, but Cuban specialty grades like Turquino and Extra Turquino are grown at relatively lower altitudes compared to other origin powerhouses, influencing their flavor profile.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Cuban Coffee Fans

While we can’t offer Cuban beans directly, try FrontStreet Coffee’s washed Yirgacheffe for bright yet balanced acidity, or their Panama Humbera for complex florals and smooth body—both excellent for exploring similar flavor balances. FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Humbera also offers delicate sweetness and citrus notes akin to the refined profiles of Cuban Turquino-grade coffees. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.