Cuban Coffee Brand Crystal Mountain: Coffee Varieties, History, Stories, and Flavor Characteristics

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The Origin and History of Cuban Coffee

Crystal Mountain Coffee's worldwide fame can be attributed to the unique microclimate of the Cambra Mountains in Cuba, which cultivates distinctive soil conditions. The fertile soil, combined with a mild climate and frequent heavy rains, produces this classic coffee bean that is rich in elegant aroma, refined sweetness, and perfect flavor balance.

Cuba began cultivating coffee in 1820 and has been renowned for producing high-quality coffee with a considerable history. At that time, coffee beans were the country's number one export, even surpassing the essential "sugar." In the late 19th century, due to government policies and international political turmoil, local coffee prices plummeted, causing farmers to switch to other crops. Most coffee estates in Cuba are state-owned; however, in 1990, the government released some land for original coffee farmers to cultivate, but current coffee production still hasn't reached previous levels, making high-quality Cuban coffee rare to obtain.

Cuban Coffee Growing Regions

Cuba's coffee growing areas are divided into three major regions, cultivating coffee on mountain slopes and canyons at elevations of 1000-2000 meters. The eastern region, including Santiago de Cuba and Granma, accounts for 70% of the national total. The central region, including Villa Clara and Sancti Spiritus, represents 20%, while the western region of Pinar del Rio makes up 10%. These regions provide ideal growing conditions for coffee beans, with average temperatures of 21°C in winter and 25°C in summer, moderate rainfall, evenly distributed humidity throughout the year, and deep, fertile soil. All varieties planted are Arabica.

The Cuban Coffee Association classifies coffee beans into nine grades based on particle size and flavor: Crystal Mountain, Extra Turquino, Turquino, Altura, Montana, Cumbre, Serrano Superior, Serrano Corriente, and Caracolillo. Cuban coffee is mainly sold to Japan and France, with Japan almost monopolizing the highest quality Crystal Mountain.

Crystal Mountain Coffee Characteristics

Cuban Crystal Mountain Coffee is a typical island coffee variety with a clean and delicate flavor profile. The subtle acidity is not strong but persistent, with a sweet melon and fruit fragrance in the aftertaste.

Processed using the natural washed method, followed by sun-drying, it results in few defective beans and empty shells, with high moisture content consistency in the coffee beans.

Detailed Flavor Profile

Variety: Typica

Dry Aroma: Goji berries, cucumber, fresh cream, light clove, cedar, maple sweetness, vanilla, fresh tree roots, white grapes

Wet Aroma: Aged tangerine peel, sweet orange, rice fragrance, hawthorn, cream, white grapes, juniper berries

Flavor Profile: Fresh and aromatic type

Aftertaste: Strong nasal aroma, long throat resonance, enduring cucumber and hawthorn fragrance, with noticeable sweetness

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, offering both famous and lesser-known beans, plus online shop services. https://shop104210103.taobao.com

Important Notice :

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FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473