Best Cuban

The Bee Hummingbird, *Mellisuga helenae*, is a tiny hummingbird endemic to Cuba. It holds the title of world’s smallest bird, measuring approximately 5-6 centimeters long and weighing just 1.6 to 2 grams. This Cuban species is notable for its diminutive size and unique feeding habits, primarily focu...

Alicia Alonso (1920-2016) was a celebrated Cuban ballerina and choreographer. She established the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, transforming it into a world-renowned company known for its powerful performances and influence on ballet technique. Her dedication fostered a significant legacy within classica...

The Kingdom of This World is Alejo Carpentier's 1949 Cuban novel about the Haitian Revolution, influential for its formulation of the marvelous real.

Carlos Acosta is a celebrated dancer recognized globally for his exceptional talent and dynamic performance style. Born in Cuba, he rose to prominence as a principal with both the Royal Ballet and Miami City Ballet, showcasing remarkable athleticism and profound emotional depth within ballet and con...

Chucho Valdés Trio is a small jazz ensemble led by Cuban pianist, composer, and bandleader Chucho Valdés, a founder of the influential group Irakere. Its music centers on piano, bass, and drums while drawing on Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz improvisation, and the harmonic language Valdés developed across...

The Café Cubano Cortadito is a small espresso drink rooted in Cuban tradition. It blends strong cafecito – sweetened espresso – with warmed, steamed milk. The addition of condensed milk creates a uniquely sweet and rich flavor profile. This beverage is popular among those seeking a comforting and au...

The Lost Steps is Alejo Carpentier's 1953 Cuban novel about a composer's journey into the South American interior in search of primitive instruments.

Cuban composer Leo Brouwer wrote these simple études in the 1960s, offering modern, accessible exercises that teach contemporary harmonies and right-hand techniques.

A Café Cubano Colada is a sweetened espresso shot originating from Cuba, notable for its distinctive preparation with whipped sugar foam and its cultural role as a shared drink.

Explosion in a Cathedral is Alejo Carpentier's 1962 historical novel, tracing the French Revolution's ideals and violence through the Caribbean colonies.

José Manuel Carreño is a renowned classical ballet dancer celebrated for his technical mastery and expressive performances. He distinguished himself throughout a long career, including significant work with the Stuttgart Ballet from 1983 to 2006. His contributions are particularly notable within con...

The Café Cubano is a concentrated espresso beverage originating in Cuba. It’s distinguished by its intensely rich flavor and distinctive “espumita,” a light, sweet foam created by vigorously whisking sugar into the hot espresso as it's poured. This drink appeals to those seeking a strong, flavorful...

The Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trio is a jazz piano ensemble led by Cuban pianist and composer Gonzalo Rubalcaba, with bass and drums supplied by personnel who have varied across recordings and performances. Its music draws on modern jazz improvisation as well as rhythmic and melodic traditions from Cuba. Th...

José Martí was a pivotal figure in Cuban literature and political thought. He is recognized primarily as a poet of the Modernismo movement, producing influential works like *Versos Sencillos*. His writings fueled the Cuban independence movement against Spanish colonial rule and continue to resonate...

A Colada is a large, sweet Cuban espresso traditionally served with several tiny cups so that one concentrated preparation can be shared.

Nicolás Guillén was a prominent Cuban poet deeply rooted in Afrocuban culture. His work, characterized by rhythmic language and often politically charged themes, established him as a key figure in Cuban literature. He explored the experiences and heritage of Afro-Cuban communities through son and ot...

Arroz Imperial is a Cuban layered casserole of yellow rice and shredded chicken, commonly finished with mayonnaise and cheese before being baked.

The cortadito is a traditional Cuban espresso drink combining strong espresso with sweet, warm milk. It’s recognized for its comforting flavor profile and significant role in Miami's vibrant Cuban coffee scene. Commonly enjoyed by those seeking a rich, subtly sweetened beverage rooted in Cuban tradi...

Melocactus matanzanus, commonly known as the Turk’s Cap Cactus, is a globular cactus native to Cuba. It's notable for developing a prominent, bristly cephalium – a characteristic shoot – during its mature stage. This unique structure makes it an interesting ornamental plant. The species faces endang...

Composed by Cuban guitarist Leo Brouwer, this educational set of guitar études introduces contemporary techniques to beginners.

Congrí is a traditional Cuban rice and bean dish consisting of white rice cooked together with red beans, onions, garlic, and seasonings such as cumin and bay leaf. It is closely related to moros y cristianos, which uses black beans rather than red beans, with both dishes reflecting the Afro-Cuban a...

Diego El Cigala’s “Lágrimas Negras” is a distinctive world music album released in 2003. The Spanish singer blends traditional flamenco with elements of Afro-Cuban boleros and Latin jazz piano creating a unique sound. It's notable for its innovative approach to both flamenco and broader Latin musica...

Endemic exclusively to the coastal areas of Cuba, the Turk's head cactus is well-known for its small, globular body and the prominent red cephalium on its apex.

Melocactus matanzanus, commonly called the Dwarf Turk's Cap, is a small globular cactus native to Matanzas Province in Cuba. It is notable for its compact size and the distinctive cephalium, a woolly, bristly structure that develops on top of the mature plant body and produces flowers and fruit. The...

Arroz Congri is a classic Cuban rice dish featuring simmered white rice blended with hearty black beans. It represents a foundational element of Cuban cuisine, deeply rooted in its Afro-Caribbean traditions. Commonly served as a side, it’s particularly appealing to those interested in exploring auth...

Moros y Cristianos is a Cuban preparation of black beans and white rice cooked together with aromatics and seasonings. Its Spanish name, meaning "Moors and Christians," refers symbolically to the contrasting dark beans and pale rice and reflects terminology connected with medieval Iberian history. T...

Trader Joe's Cuban Style Citrusy Garlic Seasoning Blend evokes Cuban mojo, a garlic and sour-orange seasoning central to Cuban roast pork.

Rhopalurus junceus, commonly called the Cuban blue scorpion, is a venomous scorpion in the family Buthidae and is endemic to Cuba. Despite its common name, its coloration can vary and is not uniformly blue. Its venom has been investigated in laboratory research for possible biological and medical ap...

The Cuban Table is Ana Sofia Pelaez's 2014 cookbook, documenting Cuban home cooking and diaspora recipes with photography by Ellen Silverman.