Table of contents
Trinidad and Tobago
$ 0.52 - $2.27 per ounce
| Varieties | Arabica, Robusta, |
| How to Serve | Usually served as black coffee |
| Flavor | Balanced acidity and bitterness, chocolatey aftertaste in some cases |
| Recommended Machine | Pourover, Moka Pot |
| Good As | Espresso, Cappuccino, Americano, Lungo |
| Price Range | $0.52 – $2.27 per ounce |
| Caffeine Level | 0.3% on average |
Trinidad and Tobago have a long history of cultivating coffee, with both small farms and huge coffee plantations. Unfortunately, a series of recent diseases and pests have hindered its output, putting this Caribbean island on the periphery of the top 50 coffee-producing nations. However, the coffee produced in the country is still definitely worth discussing.
Robusta coffee is the main crop grown on the islands, and there are 21 varieties of it. Because it has more caffeine and less sugar than Arabica, Robusta coffee tends to be harsher to drink than Arabica coffee. However, it is simpler to grow on a farm, and additionally, it produces more Trinidad and Tobago coffee.
Due to its excellent climate and height, coffee in the past used to thrive in the Northern Stretch, a range of towering hills on the country’s largest island. Initially, this coffee was only drunk by the locals and was not exported in large quantities. As for now coffee production is in decline and struggling against the odds while cocoa is flourishing in the country and experiencing a sort of rebirth. Unfavorable aspects include high labor expenses, inefficient farming practices, elderly farmers, and the incapacity of the industry to attract new workers.
In this guide, we are going to discuss some top products available for you, along with brewing techniques and grading systems that the country uses.
Despite the fact that Trinidad and Tobago is not the leading country when it comes to producing coffee, it still takes coffee seriously. Back in the 20th century, The Cocoa and Coffee Industry Board of Trinidad and Tobago was established with the mission of ensuring that the best arrangements were made regarding the handling and grading, as well as the purchases, marketing, and exportation of Trinidad and Tobago coffee and cocoa. The goal was to assist the cocoa and coffee industries to the benefit of entrepreneurial individuals and the nation.
Buying coffee beans in Trinidad and Tobago is governed by a set of criteria, including Grade 1, which specifies a moisture content of no more than 12 percent, no more than two percent of commercial defects, and additionally, the beans must be clean and fragrant. There also is a Grade 11 which states that coffee produced in the country should come with a pleasant aroma and overall look, and it must have no more than 6% total commercial flaws or defects, as well as a moisture level of no more than 12%.
Black beans can not exceed five percent of the commercial faults allowed in Grade 11. Trinidad and Tobago coffee beans with more than 8% commercial faults are included in Grade 1V and should not be purchased. Black beans, cherry, broken beans, stones, shells, sticks, white beans, and beans damaged by insects are examples of commercial faults. Considering all this, you can easily guess that the coffee produced in the country, despite its total amount, is high-quality and therefore, definitely a must-try!
If you are someone who has already taken a sip of Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean coffee beans and are looking for alternatives, make sure to check out the beans from the following countries, as they share the same characteristics. They can be found on different platforms for online purchase and can easily provide a lot to your coffee-drinking experience.
| Venezuelan Coffee | Dominican Coffee | Puerto Rican Coffee | Colombian Coffee |
So, if you are already intrigued by Trinidad and Tobago coffee beans, then we are going to provide you with the information on where to purchase them. I mostly buy my coffee from Amazon, as there are a huge variety of high-quality products. You can get your product with a single click and get it at your doorstep in less than 24 hours. Additionally, it is possible to read reviews from other buyers and get to know the product easily. In this list down below, you can check out not only the best brands in Trinidad and Tobago but other interesting alternatives as well.
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 a choice that suits your interests the best, we will do individual overviews of our top choices, stating all important facts and features about them. That way, you will be able to make sure whether a specific product deserves your attention or not. So, get ready to discover the best Trinidad coffee from the Caribbean island.
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Price: $$26.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 12 ounces |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Light-Medium-Dark |
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Producer: Coffee Round The World |
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Beans: Ground |
The first on our list is Trinidad & Tobago Fresh Roasted coffee. This one is a little bit pricey but this can be justified by the fact that the coffee produced in this country is not very easy to find – so if you want to taste a unique flavor, then you might have to pay a little more than you would pay for a regular type of coffee.
So, what are the features of this product? First of all, it is fair trade, USDA Organic, and single-origin coffee that is completely safe to consume. Additionally, it contains tropical fruit and citrus flavors, as well as herbaceous flowery tones. What I like the most about this coffee from Trinidad and Tobago is its packaging. The coffee comes with a high-quality package that is able to keep your coffee fresh for a very long amount of time. It has a product description on it, including roasting date, flavor name, and size.
One 12-ounce package of TT Fresh Roasted Coffee costs $26.99. While making a purchase, you can also choose your desired size and flavor. All in all, if you are a high-quality lover, then this product is not going to disappoint you with its unique and interesting features.
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Price: $$17.95 (subject to change) |
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Size: 12 ounces |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Drak |
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Producer: Hong Wing |
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Beans: Ground |
Do you remember how we talked about the importance of a high-quality brand behind the product? Well, that’s the case. Hong Wing T&T Coffee is made by a company that has been following tradition and quality since 1921. That means that the brand is pretty experienced and knows how to serve its customers with the right product.
To assure freshness and aroma, this coffee is hot-air roasted to certain darkness, ground, and wrapped in metalized polyester packaging. Hong Wing is Trinidad and Tobago’s original coffee producer, which as we already mentioned, has been in business since 1921 and selling roasted ground and whole bean coffee.
In my personal opinion, this is one of the best coffee in Trinidad and Tobago. I must tell you that the scent is not nice at first, but once you open the package and make the coffee, it emits a lovely perfume. Coffee is not overpowering. It has a medium body and a nice flavor. One 12-ounce package will cost you $17.95 and the quality you get is definitely worth it. I tried adding milk to it and it produced a pretty good flavor as well.
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Price: $$16.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 32 oz |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Medium-Dark |
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Producer: Don Pablo |
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Beans: Whole |
Don Pablo Colombian Supremo is a sweet, mild, rich coffee with a cocoa-toned aftertaste. The modest caramelization of the natural sugars in the bean lends a touch of toastiness to this Medium-Dark coffee while retaining its original flavor profile, leaving it with a sweet, pleasant aftertaste. This one can be a great choice for people who love to experiment with different brewing methods. You can make your cup of coffee with a traditional drip machine, French Press, Cold brew, or hand drip method – each of these produces a unique flavor, however, all of them are pretty close to Trinidad and Tobago coffee quality.
Another great thing about this product is that it has low acidity, so the ones that have health problems related to it, can safely consume the coffee. What’s even better is that the low acidity does not result in losing the flavor. All in all, the flavor of Don Pablo Colombian Supremo is pleasant, and I would suggest them to anyone who likes a dark roast for that reason.
The coffee costs $16.99 and this is pretty reasonable pricing, as you get a pretty big bag delivered to you. You can either choose the ground or whole bean option, whichever suits your interests the best. Additionally, the company behind the product – Don Pablo guarantees a refund in case you are not satisfied with the coffee, which sounds pretty exciting.
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Price: $$18.00 (subject to change) |
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Size: 14 oz |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Medium-Dark |
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Producer: Monte Real |
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Beans: Ground |
This premium ground coffee is produced from beans grown in the highest highlands of the Dominican Republic, one of the world’s top coffee producers. Coffee is picked by hand by local employees and processed in a state-of-the-art facility in the Cibao area in accordance with rigorous quality requirements.
The coffee has a strong and rich taste with hints of chocolate. It flows well from start to finish. Whether you prefer your coffee black or with a dash of cream the coffee tastes delicious in both ways. This one can be suitable for people who love their coffee hot or cold. The majority of reviews mention the fact that customers appreciate putting this unique coffee on ice or drinking it hot. It’s great with a splash of milk and sugar, or on its own.
A 14-ounce package of Monte Real Gourmet Arabica costs $18.00 – the coffee is more affordable if you buy it directly from the manufacturer, however, it is related to more headaches including logistics, long waiting time, etc. Overall, when it comes to alternatives to Trinidad and Tobago coffee varieties, Monte Real Gourmet Arabica can be a great replacement.
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Price: $$30,95 (subject to change) |
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Size: 24 oz |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Crio Bru |
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Beans: Ground |
The last one on our list is Crio Bru Herbal Tea Coffee. This one is a pretty unique product for several different reasons. The coffee is rich and flavorful with a hint of heavy caramel and strawberry. The product consists of cacao which is high in antioxidants – that can help your immune system and support the brain and heart. Cacao is also a natural hunger suppressant while being low in carbohydrates and calories.
This product can be a great option for individuals that enjoy dark chocolate and espresso coffee. The interesting part is that it requires a little longer brewing time – I suggest brewing it with a French Press, as it was able to produce the best possible taste. However, you don’t have to stick with it – It is definitely possible to try other techniques as well, and find the taste that suits your interests the best.
It is also important to mention the fact that Crio Bru Coffee has a natural, healthy flavor that is rich and delicious. I like how it gives me a different kind of energy boost than other regular coffees I have tasted. Due to the fact that Trinidad and Tobago also produce cacao, Crio Bru is definitely worth trying – as long as you want to get the taste that comes closest to Trinidad coffee brands.
Once you have your coffee beans at home, you have to decide on your preferred method of brewing. Everyone has their own preferences, some like to use manual brewing – that way, you can have more control over the whole process including the taste and strength. There also are expensive and fancy coffee machines, which only require you to put the coffee in it, click the “start” button, and then walk away. All in all, a lot depends on the method you use – Down below, we will share the best machines for brewing Trinidad and Tobago coffee at home.
Espresso Machine is known to produce one of the best-tasting cups of coffee. As easy as it may sound, brewing with this method is not very easy. However, after a few tries, you will be able to make a coffee that is going to taste pretty good. You just need to be committed, and grab these things:
Once you make sure that you have all of these at home, it means that you are ready to start the brewing process, which looks something like this:
When making consistent and high-quality espresso, remember that time is important. Your brews will be consistent in flavor and quality after you’ve perfected the timing.
Because the Moka Pot is a basic instrument, making coffee with it is not as difficult as making coffee with an espresso machine. Before you start brewing, gather all of the essential equipment and materials, which are listed below:
Now it is time to start the brewing. Make sure to follow these steps precisely, so your coffee tastes as good as the one purchased at a Trinidad coffee shop:
