Cuban coffee

By ⋅ May 4, 2011 ⋅ Post a comment
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(flickr image: Nestor)

For the Geo Quiz, we’re on the island of Cuba, looking for its largest mountain range. Its highest peak reaches 6,500 ft above sea level. This mountain range is a landmark in Cuba’s history of rebellions. From the Tainos who fought the Spanish colonizers in the area to Fidel Castro and his rebels who retreated there to prepare their revolution.

This mountain range is also known for its coffee plantations. But these days there isn’t enough coffee in Cuba – once a major coffee exporter – to even meet the demands of the local population. So the government decided that it would have to stretch its local coffee blend by mixing it with roasted chickpeas.

Now, back to the mountains: the range is located at the southeast end of the island, where the main city is Santiago de Cuba.

Where are we?

Geo Answer:

(flickr image: Kenno McDonnell)

The answer is the Sierra Maestra. Those mountains are prime coffee-growing territory and Cubans love their coffee but these days, Cuba can’t produce enough coffee beans to meet local demand. So the government has announced a return to an austerity measure it’s used in the past. That is mixing roasted peas with coffee beans to stretch the blend. Lisa Mullins gets more from the BBC Michael Voss in Havana.

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Discussion

2 comments for “Cuban coffee”

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Byrne-Sherwood/1399100970 Byrne Sherwood

    One correction: while coffee with chickory IS popular in New Orleans, it is not something for which one will pay a “premium”. It costs just as much as or less than regular coffee. And if you ever come to NOLA, be sure to go to Morning Call and get a cafe au lait-it is easily one of the best coffee drinks available.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3AKZQL4KEBH7JUHSODLUAWRZLA Caelidh

    The comment about how Cuba has let 1/2 of it’s farmland “go to waste” is not true. After the Soviet Union Collapsed they had no petroleum for tractors or fertilizer. They had to totally revamp their agricultural system to FEED the people. They had to reheal the soil.. turn to organic agriculture and use EVERY Available spot of land to grow food. Even in the cities.

    I am bothered by the continuing anti Cuba propaganda .

    I suggest folks watch POWER OF COMMUNITY. HOW CUBA SURVIVED PEAK OIL

    POWER OF COMMUNITY, How Cuba Survived Peak Oil

    Welcome!

    When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba’s economy went into a tailspin. With imports of oil cut by more than half – and food by 80 percent – people were desperate. This film tells of the hardships and struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people during this difficult time. Cubans share how they transitioned from a highly mechanized, industrial agricultural system to one using organic methods of farming and local, urban gardens. It is an unusual look into the Cuban culture during this economic crisis, which they call “The Special Period.” The film opens with a short history of Peak Oil, a term for the time in our history when world oil production will reach its all-time peak and begin to decline forever. Cuba, the only country that has faced such a crisis – the massive reduction of fossil fuels – is an example of options and hope.

    http://www.powerofcommunity.org/cm/index.php

    WATCH

    http://www.watchmoviestube.com/movies/Documentary/the-power-of-community-how-cuba-survived-peak-oil/814275/