Table of contents
Puerto Rico
$ 0.46 - $3 per ounce
| Varieties | Arabica, Robusta, Bourbon, Limon, Caturra, Catuai, Typica, Agaro |
| How to Serve | Always served as black coffee in the form of Lungo or Americano |
| Flavor | Lower acidity, rich in sweet flavors reminiscent of caramel or chocolate |
| Recommended Machine | Stovetop, Espresso, Moka Pot, French Press |
| Good As | Americano, Doppio, Lungo, Cafe Misto, Cafe con Leche |
| Price Range | $0.46 – $3 per ounce |
| Caffeine Level | 1.7% |
Puerto Rica’s coffee history starts from the 18th century, back when the island had been producing more than a million pounds of coffee in just a year. Even though Puerto Rico is not an independent country, it is still a good region to talk about considering 200 years of coffee history.
Puerto Rican coffee beans are sweet and smooth with tasty notes of caramel and chocolate. They also are known for low acidity levels which is a big plus for people who love coffee but experience migraines from it. The region is pretty rich with different varieties of coffees such as:
| Arabica | Robusta | Typica | Bourbon |
| Caturra | Catuai | Limu | Agaro |
Currently, Puerto Rican coffee is not very popular outside the region, however, it does not mean that it is not good. In this guide, we will try to convince you why you should give it a try and what the best Puerto Rican coffee available on the market nowadays is.
Puerto Rico was one of the world’s largest coffee producers just a century ago. While this is not true anymore, there are still a few companies out there that export high-quality Puerto Rican coffee. Currently, only 1% of it is exported, but true coffee lovers know why going for these beans might be the best decision.
Right now, the regions where coffee is usually cultivated are Yauco, Las Marias, Adjuntas, Lares, and San Sebastian. However, we are going to focus only on 2 important ones that contribute the most to the country’s overall production.
It is a widely known fact that Yauco has the highest quality Puerto Rican coffee beans available on the market. It also has a nickname “the city of coffee”, which is pretty self-explanatory. Coffee was first grown in the Rancheras and Diego Hernández sectors then spread to the Aguas Blancas, Frailes, and Rubias. In the 1860s, the Mariani family converted a cotton gin for use in mechanical coffee dehusking. This helped Puerto Rico’s coffee beans stand out in the international coffee market.
Yauco’s economy is built on agriculture, particularly its internationally renowned coffee which has worldwide fame for its high quality. Yauco’s mountainous terrain (3675 feet above sea level) makes the city excellent for coffee farming and that’s why this town is known for its flavorful and rich kinds of Puerto Rican coffee beans. Moreover, this region produces the infamous Yauco Selecto beans.
They even have a coffee festival in the city, which takes place every February, celebrates the harvest period with a parade, music, and dancing, along with some food and drink, and, of course, coffee samples.
Back in the 19th century, Adjuntas was the main region for coffee production and its primary clients were the United States, Europe, and believe it or not, even the Vatican. For now, Adjuntas still remains the main coffee producer on the island. In 2021, Adjuntas launched a new agricultural program especially for tourists that are interested in the coffee-making process. This program takes you through the plantations, then through the processing plants, roasting sites and, of course, the sampling locations.
Currently, Adjuntas is home to more than 1400 coffee farms and produces more coffee than any other municipality in the whole region. Plantations run by local businesses like Hacienda Tres Angeles and Sandra Farms are open to the public for guided tours, offering visitors a firsthand glimpse at how their morning coffee is made from bean to brew. Of course, no trip to the island is complete without tasting an intensely delicious cup of coffee.
As we already mentioned, Puerto Rican coffee is not very common outside the region and that is why it might be a better idea for you to simply look up the product on Amazon and buy it with just one click. Besides that, buying it directly from Puerto Rican traders needs more effort and time as you have to figure out how to pay, along with logistics and other stuff. So, why bother with all these things when it is possible to get your coffee from Amazon in less than 24 hours? Below, you can discover the top 5 Puerto Rican coffee brands that will definitely change your perception of coffee drinking.
We pay attention to the following:
For more detailed information on how exactly we rate the coffee products we suggest in our guides, click here.
In order to help you make the best possible choice that suits your interest the best, we will make individual overviews of our top choices. Below, you can discover all the qualities that Puerto Rican coffee has to offer to customers from all around the world.
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Price: $$25.00 (subject to change) |
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Size: 10 oz |
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Type: Caturra |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Julian Coffee |
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Beans: Whole |
The first on our list comes Julian Puerto Rican Coffee that is my personal favorite. It is good not only for normal brewing, but also makes a fantastic cold brew that is smooth, tasty, and mellow. While it is true that Puerto Rican coffee’s quality is always above average, this particular product is pretty exceptional. I advise you to try this one with ½ hot milk that makes the taste much better.
What’s even better is that the price is pretty affordable for such high quality. For 10 ounces (Pack of 1) you have to pay $25. However, Amazon gives you the possibility to buy 2, 3, or 4 packs with one purchase which brings the price down a bit.
By buying this coffee, you will not only be enjoying a nice coffee but will also contribute to the development of Puerto Rican coffee production. Your purchase enables the company behind this product to hire more farmers on the island and establish the industry’s standard for how much all coffee farmers should be paid. That’s something to be proud of with your morning coffee!
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Price: $$19.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 12 oz |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: VSJ Coffee |
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Beans: Ground |
Did you know that VSJ Coffee Adjuntas Blend is the best seller on Amazon? Well, here are several reasons for this that I myself was happy to discover. The most important quality for me was the irresistibly silky & sweet taste. This gourmet coffee’s unusual flavor derives from its unique natural habitat high in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Additionally, each fruit is hand-selected to provide a consistent level of scent and flavor.
Customers can choose from two delicious roasts – medium or dark. It is up to you which one you decide to choose as it completely depends on your taste in coffee. For me, a medium roast tastes much better (helps the natural flavors shine through), however, the dark one is pretty good as well (it’s stronger and more bitter). The price is something that caught my attention as well, as 12 ounces of this delicious coffee costs just $20. That’s why now is the best time for you to order this Puerto Rican coffee.
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Price: $$27.49 (subject to change) |
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Size: 16 oz |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Draco Rosa Cafe |
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Beans: Ground |
Another best seller we found was Draco Rosa Premium Ground that grows on the central mountains of Puerto Rico. This premium-class coffee will never disappoint you with its excellent flavor and aroma. But before we say more about this product, let’s take a look at the brand behind it.
Draco Rosa produces 100% Puerto Rican coffee that can be enjoyed in an 8-ounce package that currently costs $27.49. The price may be higher than our previous options, but it certainly delivers on the taste. The good news is that when you purchase Draco Rosa Premium Ground, you directly support local agriculture while enjoying the good taste. Think of it as added charity to every cup you brew.
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Price: $$24.89 (subject to change) |
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Size: 2 pounds |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Dark |
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Producer: Alto Grande |
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Beans: Whole |
Alto Grande Premium coffee is mostly referred to as the coffee of Popes and Kings. Because of its distinctive Arabica beans processed to the strictest standards, Alto Grande is known across Latin America as “the very best” coffee you can taste.
I, myself was pretty surprised when I first tasted this coffee as I didn’t expect to like it so much. The taste is pretty unusual and unique with chocolate undertones that can be felt with every sip. The price I paid for it is pretty competitive – For 2 pounds (Pack of 1) you have to pay $24.89 and with the taste that the product comes with, it is definitely worth it.
I wasn’t expecting much with this brand, to be honest. Why? Well, the price threw me off a bit. But this is a pretty decent quality product with a competitive price, especially if you like to buy in bulk.
The brand behind the product is super trustworthy. Alto Grande is one of three Super Premium coffees produced in the world. With its cutting-edge technology the company ranks in one of the highest-quality coffees, you’ll ever taste. That’s why I think this is one of the best Puerto Rican coffee to buy online.
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Price: $$17.79 (subject to change) |
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Size: 28 oz |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Lareño |
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Beans: Ground |
We finish our list with Café Lareño Ground coffee that comes with a taste directly from the mountains of the rainforest. Sounds exciting, right? You should feel the taste. When I came across this coffee, I actually read a lot of positive reviews on the internet but was skeptical at first as I haven’t tested it for myself. Well, after some time I decided to order it and I have to say that it was ok.
It didn’t really blow my socks off or anything, but it was definitely much better than any coffee I’ve ever bought in Walmart or other megastores. The flavor is definitely there, but it’s not as intense as with the other products I described above.
What’s great about Lareño is its pricing. $18 for 28 ounces of coffee is a pretty good deal in my opinion. Especially when the coffee actually tastes nice.
There are a lot of ways to brew your Puerto Rican coffee. Well, I can suggest three different brewing methods that every coffee lover should test out. If you have a fresh coffee at home, it might be the best idea to brew it as soon as possible to get the best taste out of it. Right now, we are going to go through the most common ways of brewing Puerto Rican beans.
Let’s start with the one that is considered traditional in most countries and is super simple. In order to make the process clear for you, we will provide you with all the necessary accessories and steps you are going to need.
With a sock filter, you can make coffee in two ways. The traditional method is to place the coffee grounds in the sock, then place the sock inside a cup or pot, depending on the size of the sock, pour in the hot water, and let it sit for a few minutes. Then you remove the wire handle from the sock and enjoy your cup of coffee. Here’s the list of ingredients you will need:
The brewing process goes like this:
It is the best idea to use a scale in order to use the right amount of water and coffee according to your taste. This will help you get the best possible taste out of your brewing method. If you can’t get your hand on a coffee filter sock, then a Pour Over coffee maker should do the trick.
One of the coolest I’ve ever tried, I felt like a mad scientist. Siphon brewing is mostly used by coffee shops but it is perfectly possible to do it at home by yourself. Here’s the list of things that you need:
Once you’ve gathered all the basic tools, it’s time to start your brewing process which looks like the following:
The process of suctioning occurs as you remove the heat, and the bottom container sucks back the water, which is now your coffee. In order to make this brewing technique better, you need to use the right amount of coffee and always make a good stir.
A Moka Pot is a small, inexpensive brewer that produces a concentrated dose of coffee that tastes the best! The Moka Pot is a simple method for making a richly flavored cup of coffee and is a perfect alternative to an expensive Espresso Machine or electric Percolator. Here’s what you will need to make coffee with this:
The brewing recipe is very simple and here’s what you basically need to do:
It is important to note that water temperature can vary for different kinds of coffee. For instance, for medium/dark roasts, the recommended temperature is somewhere between 122 and 140 degrees. Also, keep in mind to not apply too much heat as you will end up forcing dirty grinds through the filter and your cup might not be as clean as it would be otherwise.
Here, I will recommend what types of coffee you should make from your fresh Puerto Rican Beans. Not every brew is good with these beans, so we have to be careful.
The most popular way to drink your Puerto Rican coffee is Cafe Misto. The classic option of it consists of half brewed coffee and milk and by varying the roasts, you can adjust the flavor to your taste. Here is the list of ingredients that you are going to need:
Now, let’s directly move on to the making process:
This process is pretty similar to how you’d make a Cappuccino, so feel free to check our guide for it.
The Lungo is a fantastic drink to start with if you’re a beginner. Compared to Espresso, It’s brewed with far more water and makes a delicious taste.
What you’ll need:
Once you have the ingredients, you are set to start your brewing process:
In the end, you will get a less concentrated brew than an Espresso, but a more concentrated one than an Americano.
Doppio is a two-shot Espresso made with twice the amount of ground coffee and a larger portafilter basket. Because of the low acidity of Puerto Rican coffee, it is best to drink it as a Doppio rather than an Espresso. A doppio is basically like 2 Espressos in 1 cup. However, this can be very subjective – mostly, people drink their coffee as an Espresso in Puerto Rico.
The brewing process of Doppio is not very different from Lungo or Espresso. Here are the things you’ll need
Follow these simple steps:
This is a pretty basic guide so feel free to check out our full guide by clicking the link below.
Comprehensive Doppio Brewing Guide
