Cafe con Leche

Name: Cafe con Leche
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Ingredients: 2 tbsp finely ground Puerto Rican coffee (Alto Grande or Cafe Yaucono); 1 cup whole milk; 2 tsp sugar or to taste; Water for greca

Cafe con Leche (kah-FEH kohn LEH-cheh)

Puerto Rican Coffee with Milk

⏱ Prep Time 10 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 133 kcal

Strong, dark-roasted Puerto Rican coffee sweetened and combined with hot steamed milk, creating a rich and comforting morning ritual.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 4.0g

Carbs 18.0g

Fat 5.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

greca (stovetop espresso maker) small saucepan cup

Presentation Guide

Vessel: ceramic cup

Garnishes: none

Accompaniments: pan de agua, quesito, mallorca

Ingredients

2 tbsp finely ground Puerto Rican coffee (Alto Grande or Cafe Yaucono)
1 cup whole milk
2 tsp sugar or to taste
Water for greca

Instructions

1
Fill the bottom chamber of the greca with water up to the safety valve.
2
Add finely ground Puerto Rican coffee to the filter basket, leveling but not tamping.
3
Assemble the greca and place over medium heat. The coffee will brew up into the top chamber.
4
Meanwhile, heat milk in a small saucepan until steaming and frothy.
5
Add sugar to your cup. Pour the strong coffee in first, then add the hot milk.
6
Stir to dissolve sugar and serve immediately. The ratio is typically half coffee, half milk.

💡

Did You Know?

Puerto Rico produces some of the finest coffee in the world from the mountainous Yauco region, and a cup of cafe con leche made with local beans is considered a point of national pride.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

greca (stovetop espresso maker)
small saucepan
cup

Garnishing

none

Accompaniments

pan de agua, quesito, mallorca

The Story Behind Cafe con Leche

Coffee cultivation has been central to Puerto Rican identity since Spanish colonizers introduced the crop in the eighteenth century. The island's mountainous terrain and tropical climate produce beans renowned for their smooth, balanced flavor. Cafe con leche became the daily morning ritual of every Puerto Rican household, brewed in the iconic greca that sits on every stovetop. The tradition of sharing cafe con leche with visitors is a fundamental expression of Puerto Rican hospitality.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed breakfast daily 📜 Origins: Spanish colonial coffee tradition

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