Growing up in a Cuban American family, I remember how much I loved my Grandparents’ little house in Kendall, Miami. It was a magical place to me—filled with light, and bright colors, delicious food, and coffee. Always coffee.
The coffee my grandparents loved to drink was their “cafecito,” Cuban espresso, with a lot of azúcar (sugar) and steamed milk. It always smelled so wonderful, rich and familiar. I would occasionally try a little bit myself, but I never liked it very much. It wasn’t until I got older that I began to appreciate a good cup of cafecito.
Coffee plays an important role in Cuban culture, and we drink it in different ways, all delicious! I have always loved the pastries we would eat alongside—especially the guyaba fruit and cream cheese filled pastries known as “pastelitos de guyaba y queso.” Food and cafecito and family, all so special, woven through my memories.
That’s why I’m so very excited about our first Children’s book, El Cafecito de mis Abuelitos, due to be released later this year (date TBA). El Cafecito de mis Abuelitos is a bilingual counting book, set in Miami and filled with colorful, bright illustrations and lots of pictures of coffee! Through it we hope to share a little of the incredibly rich, vibrant Cuban-American culture we love. We’ll be revealing more details as we go.
What are some of your favorite family traditions? What kinds of foods are part of celebrating those traditions?
Wishing you an amazing week!
-Colorful Swans Press
Colorful Swans Press 