Better latte than never: Nestle to import Cuban coffee to U.S.

The Swiss food and beverage company will sell its limited edition Grand Cru Cafecito de Cuba, the first Cuban coffee to be brought into the United States in more than 50 years, under its Nespresso brand starting this fall.    Nestle is planning to bring the first Cuban coffee to hit the United States in more than 50 years, the company said in a statement Monday.
   The Swiss food and beverage company will sell its limited edition Grand Cru Cafecito de Cuba, the first Cuban coffee to be brought into the United States in more than 50 years, under its Nespresso brand starting this fall. In the long-term, Nespresso said it will work with non-profit development partner Technoserve and small coffee farmers to increase production and support sustainable farming and manufacturing methods.
   Under direction from President Obama, the U.S. began the process of normalizing relations with Cuba in late 2014, and has since gradually opened trade and travel with the Caribbean island nation. Changes in U.S.-Cuba policy have included allowing certain consumer products to be exported to or imported from Cuba and easing restrictions on insurance, travel, telecommunications and financial services.
   Last July, the U.S. and Cuba agreed to establish embassies in their respective capitals, and then the U.S. Department of State in April 2016 updated its list of goods produced by independent Cuban entrepreneurs that can be imported into the United States to include coffee.
   Most recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation approved six domestic airlines to begin scheduled flights between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis/St. Paul and Cuba as early as this fall.
   The official U.S. trade embargo against Cuba, in place since 1960, however, can only be lifted by an act of Congress, and the current legislature has shown little enthusiasm for such a measure.
   “For more than two centuries, Cuba has produced some of the greatest Arabica coffee in the world,” Nespresso said. “With fertile soil and ideal climate conditions, the country offers an excellent coffee growing environment. Nespresso is purchasing Arabica coffee this year that has been produced by Cuban farmers, and aims to continue purchasing it in the coming years.”
   “Nespresso is thrilled to be the first to bring this rare coffee to the U.S., allowing consumers to rediscover this distinct coffee profile,” added Nespresso USA President Guillaume Le Cunff. “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.”