Best puerto rican coffee: The Best 5 Puerto Rican Coffee Brands (Plus Buying Tips!)

The Best 5 Puerto Rican Coffee Brands (Plus Buying Tips!)

Puerto Rico is an archipelago made up of more than 100 islands, islets, and cays with much of the landscape taken over by the Cordillera Central mountain range. It is situated in the Caribbean between the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Coffee arrived in Puerto Rico in the 18th century and has been known for its strength and smooth and creamy texture.

Puerto Rican coffee production has steadily decreased in the last few decades, but some of the strongest coffee comes from this region.

In this article, we’ll discuss need-to-know facts about Puerto Rican coffee and some suggestions on popular Puerto Rican coffee brands to try.

at a glance: Our Top 5 Puerto Rican Coffee Brands

• Our Top Pick: Alto Grande – Premium Whole Bean Coffee
• Café Oro de Puerto Rico
• Café Hacienda San Pedro – Super Premium Peaberry Ground Coffee
• Café La Finca – Premium Roasted Puerto Rican Coffee
• Café Crema – Ground Puerto Rican Coffee

About Puerto Rican Coffee

Coffee used to be a top cash crop in Puerto Rico. The beans produce a smooth and strong cup of coffee that is highly desired by coffee consumers.

Let’s take a look at Puerto Rico’s coffee history, the benefits of its beans, and things to look for when you’re buying Puerto Rican coffee.

History of Puerto Rican Coffee

The amount of coffee that’s exported from Puerto Rico today is just a small fraction of how much the area used to produce in the past. Coffee was first introduced to Puerto Rico in the 18th century and by the 19th century, the coffee industry took off.

Puerto Rico used to be one of the main coffee exporters for the United States, but over the last few decades production has declined significantly. This is mainly due to several social, political, and environmental factors that have taken a toll on its coffee industry.

In 2012, there were about 5,000 coffee farms in Puerto Rico. This number has fallen substantially to approximately 2,000 farms by 2018.

Most of the coffee farms in Puerto Rico are individually or family-owned. As Puerto Rico began shifting to the manufacturing industry, the agriculture industry began to diminish.

Much of the coffee that Puerto Rico produces is also consumed locally, which has contributed to its reduced exportation.

However, there are still many farms that produce coffee beans to be exported around the world. It is just not as common as in other coffee-producing countries.

Where Is Puerto Rican Coffee Grown?

The best Puerto Rican coffee is produced in the mountains and hillsides in the central region of the territory. The coffee plants grown in this area are typically shade-grown and flourish in higher altitudes.

Although Puerto Rican coffee farms are not nearly as abundant as they used to be, they are still spread throughout various parts of the territory. Regions, where coffee is commonly produced, include:

• Utuado
• Lares
• Jayuya
• Adjuntas
• Ciales

Coffee produced in Jayuya and Lares is likely to be grown at much higher altitudes than in other regions because these areas contain some of the highest mountain peaks in the territory.

Most of the coffee produced by Puerto Rico is not Strictly High Grown (SHG), which is generally of higher quality. It is often grown at 1,000 meters or below because the mountains in the territory do not reach very high elevations.

Coffee grown between 900 and 1,200 meters above sea level is considered High Grown (HG), which can still produce good quality coffee. Coffee grown on the mountains and hillsides are more likely to be shade-grown, which is beneficial to the environment and development of the beans.

Anything under 900 meters is considered Central Standard. Coffee grown at lower altitudes tend to be average or low quality, but the beans are typically less acidic.

Benefits of Puerto Rican Coffee

Most Puerto Rican coffee farms grow Arabica beans, which are considered to have a better taste than other bean varieties. There are some benefits to Puerto Rican coffee beans that some countries are not able to offer.

Some of the most common benefits that come with Puerto Rican coffee include:

• Stronger than other coffee beans
• Smooth texture
• Intense aroma
• Full body

Coffee beans that come from Puerto Rico tend to be stronger than other beans. If you’re looking for a coffee that has an extra kick of caffeine, Puerto Rican coffee may be something you’d like to try.

Puerto Rican coffee offers a smooth texture, often described as creamy. It is also known for its intense aromas and full body. For these reasons, many local Puerto Ricans enjoy their coffee black or with very little milk or cream.

The most common ways Puerto Rican coffee is consumed by locals include espresso (pocillo), espresso with steamed milk (cortadito), and lattes (café con leche).

What to Look for When Shopping for Puerto Rican Coffee Brands

There are some main characteristics of Puerto Rican coffee that you might want to keep an eye out for. If you’re looking to find a pure Puerto Rican coffee brand, you may want to consider the following:

• Type of body
• Altitude level
• Type of roast

Many Puerto Rican coffee brands advertise their coffee as full body. This means that the viscosity of the coffee tends to feel heavier, or thicker when you take a sip. Full-bodied coffee also generally locks in more of the rich flavor of the beans.

The light body isn’t as buttery and has a more water-like feel to it. If you like light-bodied coffees, you might want to pay close attention to this when considering a Puerto Rican coffee brand.

Puerto Rico has an abundance of mountains, but even the highest elevations in the territory barely break even with Strictly High Grown altitudes of 1,200 meters or more.

If you’re looking for higher-quality beans, keep an eye out for coffee grown in mountainous regions, such as Jayuya and Lares.

Puerto Rican coffee often comes in medium to dark roasts. If you’re a big fan of lighter roasts, you may have a more difficult time finding a light roast coffee purely from Puerto Rico.

5 Puerto Rican Coffee Brands to Try

1. Alto Grande – Premium Whole Bean Coffee

Alto Grande Premium Coffee Whole Bean – 2 Lbs (Pack of 1)

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Pros

• SHG
• Full body
• Sweet aroma
• Single-estate
• 100% Arabica beans

Cons

• Limited size options

Grown in the central mountain range of Lares, Puerto Rico, Alto Grande Premium Whole Bean Coffee is a full-bodied dark roast.

The beans are Strictly High Grown between 1,200 and 1,370 meters above sea level. The name of the coffee can be a bit deceiving so it’s important to note that this product does come already ground.

This coffee produces a bright cup with a sweet aroma and chocolate undertones. If you like a heavier cup of coffee complemented with a chocolatey flavor profile, you may enjoy Alto Grande’s premium dark roast coffee.

The real downfall is the limited size options, with the only choice being a 32 oz bag that comes in one or more units.

2. Café Oro de Puerto Rico

Cafe de Oro de Puerto Rico 14oz / Gold Coffee from Puerto Rico

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Pros

• Smooth
• Strong flavor
• Full body

Cons

• Limited size options

Café Oro de Puerto Rico is a family-owned coffee producer in Lares that offers a medium dark roast made from 100% Arabica beans. This coffee produces a smooth cup with sweet notes of caramel.

It is slightly acidic, which can be a pro or con depending on your preference. The beans are roasted, ground, and packaged in Puerto Rico. The coffee comes in a metallic packaging, which helps to preserve its freshness.

3. Café Hacienda San Pedro – Super Premium Peaberry Ground Coffee

Cafe Hacienda San Pedro Puerto Rican Super Premium Peaberry Ground Coffee

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Pros

• Sweet aroma
• HG
• Peaberry beans
• Flavorful

Cons

• Pricey

Café Hacienda San Pedro Super Premium Peaberry Coffee is hand-picked in Jayuya on the Tres Picachos mountain. The beans are High Grown at 900 meters above sea level.

This single-origin coffee has a soft texture with a subtle caramel aroma and chocolate overtones. If you enjoy a smooth cup of coffee with a subtle sweetness and hint of spices, you may like this ground peaberry coffee.

4. Café La Finca – Premium Roasted Puerto Rican Coffee

Cafe La Finca – Premium Roasted Puerto Rican Coffee Beans

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Pros

• HG
• Smooth
• 100% Arabica beans

Cons

• Slightly pricey

Café La Finca is a family-owned coffee business in the mountains of Jayuya. The beans are hand-picked, processed, roasted, and ground in their Jayuya facilities.

This single-origin coffee is a medium roast made from 100% Arabica beans in altitudes above 1,000 meters. If you like a smooth cup of coffee that isn’t too acidic, you may enjoy Café La Finca Premium Roasted Puerto Rican Coffee.

5. Café Crema – Ground Puerto Rican Coffee

Café Crema Ground Coffee From Puerto Rico 14 Ounce

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Pros

• Creamy and smooth texture
• Economical
• Strong
• Aromatic

Cons

• Fine grind may clog filter
• Slightly bitter and earthy

Café Crema Ground Puerto Rican Coffee is a medium roast that is finely ground to bring out its intense flavors. The coffee produces a creamy and smooth cup with balanced acidity. It has somewhat of an earthy taste and is not very acidic.

The fine grind of this coffee brings some of the intense flavors of Puerto Rican coffee, but can also lead to some bitterness.

Final Thoughts: Puerto Rican Coffee Brands

Puerto Rico produces coffee beans that have some special attributes. It’s recommended as a medium to dark roast and is often stronger than many other coffees from around the world.

Common characteristics you’ll find with Puerto Rican coffee include:

• Full body
• Smooth and creamy
• Low to medium acidity
• Sweet notes of chocolate and caramel

Our top choice for Puerto Rican coffee brands is Alto Grande Premium Whole Bean Coffee. It comes from Lares, one of Puerto Rico’s main coffee-producing regions, and the beans are Strictly High Grown. It is a full-bodied dark roast with chocolatey notes and a sweet aroma, which Puerto Rican coffee is most known for.

Further Reading

• The World’s Best Coffee Growing Regions & Their Flavor Profiles
• 8 Popular Different Types Of Coffee Makers and How They Work

Best Puerto Rican Coffee Brands in 2023

Once a coffee-growing powerhouse, Puerto Rico is just re-entering the coffee production business.

What does that mean for you?

It means you have a unique opportunity to discover high-end specialty beans before their prices skyrocket. Keep reading for six Puerto Rico coffee brands our experts believe could be the next big thing.

At A Glance:

1. OUR TOP PICK:
   Café Lareno
2. GREAT VALUE:
   Yaucono
3. BEST MEDIUM ROAST:
   Alto Grande

How to Choose the Best Puerto Rican Coffee Brands

Is Puerto Rico well-known for coffee? Oh, yes! After some difficult years, the Puerto Rican coffee industry is reemerging to take its rightful place among the best tasting coffee beans on the planet.

We’ve put together a few helpful guidelines for choosing the best coffee brand from Puerto Rico according to your preference.

The Flavors of the Islands

Puerto Ricans love coffee. As they explain it themselves:

Coffee in our culture is considered one of the basic needs at the level of water, milk and bread.

In fact, a big challenge for exporters is just having enough supply to exceed local demand (1).

Puerto Rico is a small island, so much of the coffee is grown in similar conditions.

You’ll find some characteristics common to all Puerto Rican brands.

The coffee tends to be smooth and full-bodied, with naturally low acidity. The main flavor is chocolate, usually with an accompanying sweetness like honey or caramel.

Given that, the major differences between brands come from the processing methods and the roast.

Any Roast Can Be Right.

The best level of roasting of Puerto Rican coffee beans is the one that tastes best to you.

• Darker roasts have less flavor of the bean itself and more from the roasting process. Expect flavors like bittersweet chocolate and toasted nuts.
• With medium roasts, you’ll taste more of the coffee bean itself. Expect flavors like milk chocolate, honey sweetness, or ripe fruit.
• Light roasts allow you to really taste the complex and subtle flavors of the coffee bean, highlighting acidity.

Because Puerto Rican coffee beans are naturally mild, smooth, and low in acid, medium to dark roasts are most common.

Opt for Whole Beans If You Can.

As with any coffee beans, we recommend that you BUY WHOLE BEANS and grind them just before brewing your coffee. This ensures the freshest tasting and most flavorful cup.

That said, if you don’t have a grinder at home, it’s okay to buy pre-ground coffee. The important thing is to buy the correct grind size for your brewing method. Espresso requires a much finer grind than drip coffee.

Certifications Are Few and Far Between

Puerto Rico is just re-emerging into the international coffee scene, so not many brands have recognized certifications like organic, Kosher, Fair Trade, and Rainforest Alliance (2).

Don’t let this dissuade you from trying Puerto Rican coffee!

In many cases, small farmers are using sustainable practices; they just lack the infrastructure for certification. If it’s important to you, research the coffee estates themselves, rather than relying on labels.

The 6 Best Puerto Rican Coffee Beans in 2023

We’ve been tasting so much Puerto Rican coffee we’re about to vibrate right out of our chairs. But all for a good cause.

Here are six brands guaranteed to deliver a taste of the tropics.

1. Volcanica Coffee Hacienda San Pedro – Best Overall

Specifications

• Roast level: Medium

• Ground or whole bean: Both
• Certifications: Direct Trade, kosher
• Flavor profile: Chocolate, spice

GET 15% OFF (CODE: HG15)

This coffee from Volcanica marks the reemergence of Puerto Rico as a specialty coffee-growing region. It’s been sourced from Hacienda San Pedro, a family-run farm in the mountain town of Jayuyu with a history dating back more than 100 years.

Like many coffee farms in Puerto Rico, Hacienda San Pedro lost a lot of its plants in the hurricanes of 2017. Production is slowly returning, but it’s rare to see these premium beans outside of the country.

The care and experience that goes into growing this coffee results in a rich but smooth cup. It offers a classic Puerto Rico flavor profile of caramel sweetness with chocolate notes, and hints of aromatic spices.

2. Café Lareno – Runner Up

Specifications

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The high mountains of Lares are a popular place for growing coffee, as you might have notices, with altitudes of 3,900 feet. It was here that the Café Lareno brand started in 1989, with nothing more than a small 35-pound roaster that they used to get their beans ready for sale.

Thirty years on and the operation has expanded somewhat, but the brand still maintains a family-run feel. Now with the fourth generation at the helm, everything is still done by hand, from planting and harvesting, to drying, roasting and packaging. And it’s this hands-on approach that they believe really makes the difference.

We think it’s the fact that they’ve created an approachable coffee that can be enjoyed by anyone – no need for snobbery here. In the cup it has plenty of body, with flavors of chocolate and caramel. It’s very easy drinking with mild acidity and no bitterness.

If you ever happen to be in the area, you can get a coffee straight from the source at the Café Loreno coffee shop.

3. Yaucono – Budget Pick

Specifications

• Roast level: Medium

• Ground or whole bean: Ground
• Certifications: None
• Flavor profile: Smooth, rich, well-balanced

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Yaucono is one of the largest coffee roasters on the island and one of the few that continued to thrive even as the industry declined. Fans say it is a testament to its unbeatable flavor.

Yaucono is a very mild, easy-drinking coffee, which is neither acidic nor bitter. It’s smooth and balanced, with just a hint of chocolate and a serious jolt of caffeine.

It’s the preferred coffee of island-dwellers themselves, so it offers a true taste of the region. Puerto Ricans usually enjoy it as an espresso or mixed with a little steamed milk and a hint of cinnamon.

Fantastic flavor, plus a SUPER-FINE PRICE? You can’t go wrong with this choice. (Just saying.)

4. Alto Grande – Best Medium Roast

Specifications

• Roast level: Medium

• Ground or whole bean: Whole
• Certifications: None
• Flavor profile: Chocolate, sweet pointed aroma

SEE ON AMAZON

If you like to feel like royalty in the morning, check out Alto Grande Super Premium. They’ve dubbed themselves the “Coffee of Popes and Kings.” As the story goes, Hacienda Alto Grande has been growing coffee since 1839, and in the early years, it was exported to the courts of Europe and the Vatican.

Islanders consider Alto Grande to be a high-end coffee, the sort you might be served in a fancy restaurant. It has a delicate chocolate flavor, with a sweet and exotic aroma that really evokes a tropical island feel.

Compared with most Puerto Rican coffee beans, Alto Grande coffee is grown at a higher elevation, so the beans are better quality. Each of the Arabica trees on the farm produces only a pound of beans per year, so supply is always LIMITED.

If you want to try Alto Grande Super Premium, a coffee fit for a king, act fast!

5. Cafe de Oro – Best Dark Roast

Specifications

• Roast level: Dark

• Ground or whole bean: Ground
• Certifications: None
• Flavor profile: Chocolate, caramel

SEE ON AMAZON

If you like your Puerto Rican coffee to have a rich, bold flavor, Cafe de Oro, which translates to Coffee of Gold, is going to be right up your alley.

The 100% Arabica beans are grown in the mountains of the Lares region, then dark roasted. The resulting beans have a strong and smooth flavor that isn’t bitter or acidic. You’ll taste bittersweet chocolate with an underlying hint of caramel sweetness.

This is an excellent choice for those who like to drink their coffee black, as the natural sweetness requires no added sugars.

It also makes a GOLD-MEDAL ESPRESSO.

6. Di Laris – Best Kosher Coffee

Specifications

Click to check price

Cafe Di Laris is Puerto Rico’s first certified Kosher coffee brand, meaning it was processed and roasted without any additives.

The 100% Arabica coffee is grown in the mountainous Lares region of Puerto Rico. The beans are sun-dried, then processed using only water before being roasted to a perfect medium-dark.

The natural drying process gives them a sweeter, fruitier taste than other Puerto Rican coffee brands. If you’re a fan of naturally processed Ethiopian beans, you’ll note some similarities here.

The Verdict

Puerto Rican coffee is finally back on the market. So this is a great time to sample these once world-famous coffees.

For a nicely balanced medium roast that really gives you a feel for the island’s flavors, we recommend Volcanica’s Hacienda San Pedro.

FAQs

Puerto Ricans drink coffee as espresso more often than they make drip coffee. Often they’ll add steamed milk, either a small amount for a cortadito or enough to make a latte. Sometimes a sprinkle of cinnamon is added as well. Because Puerto Rican coffee is naturally sweet, they rarely add sugar.

Coffee from Puerto Rico is mostly Arabica, which grows well in Puerto Rico’s mountainous terrain. The most common varietals are Bourbon, Caturra, and Limon. Lately, a few farmers have been experimenting with growing high-end Robusta beans.

It is challenging to grow coffee in Puerto Rico for two reasons. First, climate change is leading to a greater number of storms in the area, including severe hurricanes that destroy crops. Second, on the coffee production side, it can be difficult to find laborers willing to pick the coffee for low wages.

References

1. Sheffield, P. (2018, July 30). Caffeine Culture: The History of Coffee in Puerto Rico. Retrieved from https://passionpassport.com/puerto-rico-coffee-guide/
2. Bradley, E. (2017, August 10). Coffee Certifications. Retrieved from https://freshcup.com/coffee-certifications/
3. Puerto Rico bets on a coffee comeback. (2018, September 19). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45552959

Surf Coffee – Coffee shop in Sochi

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• Great coffee😍😍 great interior, lovely baristas, lavender, coffee cappuccino very tasty

• My favorite, fashionable, with modern baristas at the machine. Bomb drinks are being prepared 🥤.

• Surf coffee was opened on Rosa Khutor, near the ZASPORT store and near the Golden Tulip Rosa Khutor Hotel

• The only place in the city where you are not looked at as an alien when you ask about alternative ways of brewing coffee)

• Delicious coffee as always 💛 there is a neon sign and a hammock 💕

• A small cafe, I visited during the period of repairs and adjustments: there was no menu, the interior is empty, but Puerto Rican coffee is good

• If coffee, then only surf coffee. Can be ordered with vegetable milk. There is also matcha tea on the menu

• Delicious coffee!!! Everyone here

• Very atmospheric place, great selection of coffee, but the price tag. …

• Great coffee!

• Excellent coffee)))

• Try a double Hawaiian cappuccino! nine0003

• Ginger coffee is awesome!

• It’s good that there are many places. Love it

• Try Darhab!

• The best coffee house in the city! I recommend the signature macchiato. Cool sulfur idea! And these cups and boards are love!🌴🌅

• Expensive, suitable for hipsters

• Try lemonade with cucumber and lemon! This is something incredible 🙂

• Life is too short for bad coffee, drink SURF COFFEE

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Central America – V-ZUG JSC – Eurasian Economic Union

Central America

Central America is rich in characteristic coffee varieties, in which experts note their relative sharpness.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is an island nation with a rich tradition of coffee cultivation. Only high-quality Arabica coffee is grown here, which is processed using the so-called wet technology. The fertile volcanic soils in Meseta Central, together with the climatic influences of two oceans, make Costa Rica an ideal place for growing coffee. nine0003

The best growing region is in the southwest, in Barahona. Other great coffees come from Juncalito and Okua. Varieties of coffee, also called Santa Domingo, are soft and harmonious in taste, with fine acidity and pleasant aromas.

Excellent varieties are Tarrazu, Tres Rios and Tournon. These are thick varieties with strong aromas, well balanced and slightly sour.

El Salvador

A chain of volcanoes stretching across the country is surrounded by fertile soil, perfect for growing coffee plants. Salvador produces a balanced coffee with a typical taste. nine0003

Exclusive varieties of Arabica combine the typical flavors of coffee from Central America: they have a mild aroma, light body and slight acidity. The most famous variety is Pipil.

An unusual variety of coffee is Pacamara, the best growing region of which is Santa Anna, located near the border with Guatemala. Thanks to its strong but not heavy taste and soft aroma, Pacamara gives an outstanding taste experience.

Guatemala

Today, coffee is grown mainly in the south of the country, in places where the fertile soils in the spurs of the Sierra Madre form ideal conditions for the growth of this crop.

This superb coffee is characterized by its rich aroma and body. Harmonious softness with slight sourness provide it with a pleasant and unforgettable taste. An excellent region for the cultivation of this coffee is Antiqua.

Juhutenangos and Coban varieties are excellent. They are characterized by the completeness of their bouquet, which has some spiciness and a slight hint of chocolate. nine0003

Hawaii

In Hawaii, coffee is cultivated on the slopes of Mauna Loa, Hualalai and Mauna Kea, in ideal climatic conditions: in the tropics, with plenty of sun and shade, on volcanic soil, which gives the beans an intense fruity-spicy aroma.

Excellent coffee from the South Seas has a wonderful, rich, fruity richness, but without excessive acidity. Light sweetish nutty notes emphasize its pleasant taste.

The most successful variety is Kona, which is almost impossible to find in its pure form. It is said that nowhere in the world are there such ideal conditions for the growth of coffee trees as in Hawaii. nine0003

Jamaica

There are all conditions for growing one of the best Blue Mountain coffees in the world: in the east of the island, blown by warm, humid winds, a mountain range rises, some peaks of which rise to more than 2200 meters.

On the slopes of the mountains there are terraces created over more than two centuries, on which Arabica coffee trees grow, brought here from Martinique in the 18th century, planted in the most fertile soil, shaded by wide crowns of avocados and bananas, irrigated by streams flowing from the mountains . nine0003

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican coffee is naturally mild, with a rich and expressive aroma. The most famous varieties are world-class pearls, the most exquisite are Yauco selecto and Grand Lares.

Yauco selecto is grown on only three coffee plantations in the southwest of the island and is distinguished by its exquisite taste, intense aroma and wonderful aftertaste. This coffee is very expensive, but it has an inimitable taste.