Puerto Rican coffee - Yaucono or Cafe Rico

I just returned from a vacation in Puerto Rico and fell in love with their coffee, especially Yaucono (regular, NOT the espresso).

Does anyone know where I can buy Yaucono (or my second favorite, Cafe Rico) in the city? I found the Yaucono espresso in Wash. Heights, but can't find the regular. Thanks!

[Playero1969]

Holla,

You can go to www.yaucono.com and order it. ;-)

[fuma]

In NYC there is Yaucono a the Associated Supermarket on Third Avenue on the East side. They sell it for more than twice the price in PR but you don't have to buy a plane ticket. It costs about $5 for 8 oz. It's not the select, but the Cafe Molido or regular coffee.

My parents retired to PR and I get to go there a couple of times a year now. I too love the coffee. You can get get Yaucono online. Try yahoo shopping. Also most supermarkets in the hispanic neighborhoods in NYC will have Yaucono.

I live in Jackson Heights and can't find Yaucono at our supermarkets. I did see a Columbian Yauco ($4.99) but not a PR Yaucono. I'm anxious to try it so I will visit Porto Rico on Bleecker St next week which has it. I don't imagine many locals here in JH's or in most NYC neighoods spending $16 for a pound of coffee. Thanks for your message.

I have a very close friend in PR. She and her family live in Yauco, which is noted for it's coffee. They are at the very base of the mountains and while most of the growers are higher up and about 10 miles from them, her dad grew his own up til a couple of years ago. His age has prevented him from doing it any longer. I will tell you there's nothing like driving up to the house in the morning and seeing her Mom on "the balcon" (porch) roasting coffee beans that her husband just picked a day or so before. And then to taste that same coffee a few minutes later. It's an experience I'll never forget. The Yauco Selecto is what my friend brought up here when visiting. And its close to her Dad's in taste. The Yaucono, etc. is just OK. FWIW, the Vatican has been buying Puerto Rican Coffee exclusively for many years.

Porto Rico on Bleecker St has a Yauco Selecto. Is this what you're looking for? No wonder you liked it, it's the 3rd most expensive coffee they sell. Should be good at $16 lb.

Hello, if the Yauco selecto that your neighborhood shop sells is from the same estate of that name which I roasted at home, it is one of the best Caribbean island coffees and the price reflects it. Puerto Rican coffee in general was formerly among the best island coffees but many estates fell into decline under the pressure of cheap Latin American "imports"(considering P.R. as a part of the U.S.) and the lack of protection from the U.S., which many of our other agricultural products (sugar, corn,etc.) receive. Yauco is prominent in the revival of specialty-grade ("gourmet") arabica in Puerto Rico, and at its best has a delicate body, fruity nuances and pleasant tanginess. cheers.

Kwaaz: I've never had the Yauco Selecto but based on your input I plan to order 1/2 lb and try it. I always order the French Celebes. The most expensive coffee is Jamaican Blue Mountain (Wallenford Estate) at $29 lb. www.portorico.com. Thanks for the message.

You're welcome. Price-wise, the best comparison would be with Hawaiian/Kona coffees, because of the high labor costs and other U.S.-related economic handicaps. Wallenford is like a grand premier cru with a huge reputation and tiny production. Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and St. Helena (south Atlantic) as coffee regions do share a high latitude. In my experience, the higher latitude coffess rarely have the rich body that the equatorial origin coffees, like the Sulawesi/Celebes you favor, or the more widely consumed in the U.S., good Colombian, can attain. cheers