Cuban Coffee Queen

Cuban Coffee Queen: Cuban coffee roasted in Key West

Cuban Coffee Queen is a Key West (Florida) company dedicated to Cuban coffee and Cuban food. It presents itself as the southernmost coffee roaster in the United States and produces freshly roasted coffee in the city itself. In addition to selling coffee, it offers a menu of authentic Cuban dishes and home delivery service, with online ordering and in-store pickup.

Coffee roasted in Key West

Roasting is carried out in Key West using selected beans. The company describes roasting as a passion and an art, and has its own master roasters. The coffee catalog includes different varieties organized by roast type:

• Queen's Roast, dark roast.
• Key West Sunrise, medium roast.
• Gallo Loco, medium roast.
• Si Mi Amor, medium roast.
• Smooth Sailing, medium roast decaf.
• Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, light roast, with a fruity and complex profile typical of the Yirgacheffe region (Ethiopia).

The site shows reference prices for some items, such as Ethiopia Yirgacheffe at $23.95, Si Mi Amor at $20.95 and Smooth Sailing Decaf at $20.95. There is the possibility of subscribing to receive freshly roasted coffee periodically, with a 10% discount, and of managing, pausing or canceling the subscription.

Cuban food and ordering service

The food offering includes breakfasts, lunches and Cuban drinks. Among the examples cited on the site are the Cuban breakfast burrito, cafe con leche, Havana beans & rice and smoothies. Colada is also mentioned as a mid-afternoon option. Orders can be placed online for pickup or home delivery.

Preparation and culture of Cuban coffee

The company emphasizes that preparing Cuban coffee requires care and time, and describes the result as a sweet, strong blend with intense flavor. The site devotes sections to explaining what Cuban coffee is and to offering recipes for preparing it at home, as well as information about roasting and the figure of the master roaster.

Five locations in Key West

Cuban Coffee Queen operates five locations in Key West: Clinton Square, Downtown, Roasters, Waterfront and Duval Street. At the time of analysis, the site indicated that food is served at four of those locations. The company also offers delivery and in-store pickup service.

Shop and other products

In addition to coffee, the shop sells merchandise and related items. The catalog includes 12-ounce enamel mugs, 20-ounce tumblers, hats, t-shirts, hoodies, hairbands and hot sauce. Coffee gift bundles are also offered. Some prices shown are $17.5 for the enamel mug, $32.5 for the 20-ounce tumbler and $34.95 for the Crowned Gold Tropics hat.

Identity and stated values

The company presents an identity linked to Cuban culture and to the figure of the "Cuban Coffee Queen", described as the head of the family and the heart of Cuban culture. It declares Christian values and a commitment to the community, inclusion and support for local initiatives. It also states that coffee is more than a drink and describes it as a cultural experience.