Inspired by the rich traditions of Cuban coffee and crafted with our Yorkshire roots, the Burnt Sugar Flat White is a warm, caramelised delight that blends history, flavour, and a touch of ingenuity. Perfect for warming your cockles this winter, we’ll be serving this special brew at the Made in Whitby event on 14th and 15th December at Whitby Brewery. Come for the coffee, stay for the story.
The History Behind Café Cubano
Coffee has a long and storied history in Cuba, dating back to 1748, when the plant was first introduced to the island. However, it wasn’t until the 1790s, when French settlers fleeing the Haitian Revolution arrived, that coffee cultivation became a significant industry. By the mid-19th century, coffee had grown to rival sugar as one of Cuba’s most important crops, and by the 1940s, Cuba was the world’s leading exporter of coffee.
However, after the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the nationalisation of farms and economic challenges led to a decline in coffee production. By the 1960s, coffee rations were introduced, and to make supplies stretch further, Cuban households often blended coffee with brown sugar or legumes like chícharo. This led to the development of the traditional café cubano, where sugar was caramelised directly in the brewing process, giving the coffee a distinct sweetness and rich depth of flavour.
Café cubano is not just a drink but a cultural ritual, often shared with friends or family, and offered as a gesture of hospitality to guests. The sugar tradition is rooted in creativity and resilience, born out of necessity but celebrated for its unique flavour.
A Coffee Worth Talking About
We’ll be bringing this cracking tradition to our Made in Whitby event on the 14th and 15th of December at Whitby Brewery, where you can get stuck into our Burnt Sugar Flat White. It’s inspired by the Cuban way of brewing and sweetening, but we’ve added a proper Yorkshire twist, using our Albion Street blend for a spot-on balance of flavour.
This cosy drink, with its caramelised sugar and creamy milk, is just the ticket to warm you up on a chilly winter’s day. And if you’re feeling a bit festive, we’ll even show you how to make it extra special with a splash of rum!
We’re chuffed to be teaming up with our neighbours at Whitby Distillery for this one. Their cask-aged spiced rum is the cherry on top, adding a lovely warmth that brings out the burnt sugar flavours beautifully. With hints of charred orange, cinnamon, and a whisper of caramel, it’s a festive treat you won’t want to miss!
Ingredients:
- 18g freshly ground Albion Street coffee
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 200ml milk of your choice
- 25ml of Spiced Rum— we opted for Whitby Distillery's cask-aged variety to add a festive touch!
Method:
-
Begin by adding a shot of rum to bring a festive kick to the mix. We chose the delightful cask-aged rum from our neighbours at Whitby Distillery—it’s the perfect complement to this recipe.
- Next grind 18g of coffee and place it into the portafilter.
- Tamp the grounds evenly with medium pressure.
- Sprinkle 1 tsp of brown sugar over the tamped coffee, pressing it gently with the back of a spoon.
- Extract the espresso, aiming for a 28-second extraction (+/- 5 seconds). It should be thick, creamy, and rich.
- Steam 200ml of milk until smooth and velvety, then pour it into the espresso.
- Sit back and enjoy the warming caramel sweetness of this winter warmer.
A Proper Winter Brew
Winter might not officially start until the 21st, but there’s no harm in getting ahead and trying this out now. Whether you’re visiting us at Made in Whitby or trying this recipe at home, this is a coffee you won’t forget anytime soon.
Cant wait to see you there!
Love
The Baytown Team x