Nespresso brings Cuban coffee back to the USA

Nespresso has announced it will launch a new Cuban Nespresso Grand Cru, Cafecito de Cuba, the first Cuban coffee to be sold in the United States for more than 50 years. Recent regulatory changes in the US have allowed Nespresso to launch the line in the United States in the fall of 2016, initially as a limited edition. Over the long term, Nespresso and its partner TechnoServe, a nonprofit development organisation, say they 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. “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 US, 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.” The US Department of State updated its list of goods produced by independent Cuban entrepreneurs that can be imported into the United States to include coffee in late April. This change paved the way for Nespresso to offer Cuban coffee to the US market.