NEW YORK — Nespresso, a Nestle S.A. brand, is moving forward with plans to introduce Cuban coffee to the United States for the first time in more than 50 years. Later this fall, the company said it plans to introduce Cuban Nespresso Grand Cru, Cafecito de Cuba.
Initially, the coffee will be introduced as a limited edition, but Nestle said Nespresso and its partner TechnoServe, a nonprofit development organization, will explore how to work with smallholder coffee farmers in Cuba with the goal ultimately being to support farmers in their production of sustainable coffee and contribute to expanded economic opportunities for them in the long term.
Nespresso is purchasing Arabica coffee this year that has been produced by Cuban farmers, and aims to continue purchasing it in the coming years.
Guillaume Le Cunff, president of Nespresso USA |
“At Nespresso, we always aim to delight consumers through exclusive, unique coffee experiences,” said Guillaume Le Cunff, president of Nespresso USA. “Nespresso is thrilled to be the first to bring this rare coffee to the U.S., allowing consumers to rediscover this distinct coffee profile. Over the long term, we have a view to supporting the development of environmentally sustainable coffee farming practices for smallholder farmers, which benefit the farmers themselves and their communities. Ultimately, we want consumers in the U.S. to experience this incredible coffee and to enjoy it now and for years to come.”
The door was opened for Nespresso to offer Cuban coffee to the U.S. market earlier this year when the U.S. Department of State in late April added coffee to its list of goods produced by independent Cuban entrepreneurs that can be imported into the United States.