BETA
Chapter 1
The architecture of the walk-up window
Chapter 2
Decoding the Cuban espresso menu
Chapter 3
The history of exile and adaptation
Chapter 4
The pairing game: pastelitos and croquetas
YOUR GOAL
Master of Miami's Cuban coffee culture
Ch 2 · Decoding the Cuban espresso menu
alicecooks Serve Cuban coffee and pastries to discover the vibrant social culture of Miami's ventanitas.
alicecooks Miami Cuban Coffee
Pass the tiny cups around, let's share a sweet colada at the ventanita
alicecooks Milk transforms strong Cuban espresso into two distinct, beloved coffee variations.
Fun Fact
The sugar foam: The frothy top layer of Cuban espresso contains no dairy; it is made solely of whipped sugar.
Glossary
espresso (noun)
A strong black coffee brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans. Miami's walk-up windows use this brew to prepare highly sweetened menu items like the cortadito.
A strong black coffee brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans. Miami's walk-up windows use this brew to prepare highly sweetened menu items like the cortadito.
Quiz
What type of coffee beans are typically used to brew authentic Cuban-style espresso?
Quiz
How many ounces of sweetened espresso are typically served in a standard shared colada?
Quiz
What is the cultural expectation when ordering a large cup of colada at a Miami ventanita?
Quiz
How is a traditional café con leche served to customers at a Cuban coffee window?
Quiz
What is the single, sweet shot of Cuban espresso called when ordered individually?
Quiz
What ingredient is whipped with the first drops of hot espresso to make the signature Cuban coffee foam?