Coffee enthusiasts know that the perfect blend of simmering hot aromatic coffee is more than a tasty delight. It’s a way of experiencing the culture and heritage of other countries.
If this describes you, then you ought to explore Latin America. This continent is home to several world-famous brands. Two of these are Café Pilon and Bustelo.
About Café Pilon
Café Pilon is a brand of coffee whose roots stem back to 19th century Cuba. After building trust through word of mouth and fostering strong customer relationships, it became the most popular brand in Cuba.
The brand has gone through several owners. The first was the Bascuas Family. In 1960, they left Cuba for Miami to pursue greater opportunities. Later on, as Manuel Bascuas was preparing to retire, he sold the Cafe Pilon formula to a group of gentlemen.
These gentlemen then sold it to Pepe Souto, the owner of Café Souto. Knowing that the Pilon brand was more prominent, he acquired it in 1965 and began producing Café Pilon.
About Café Bustelo
Nearly a century ago, Georgio Bustelo founded Cafe Bustelo after arriving in East Harlem.
His love for Latin coffee inspired him to visit several nations in the region to discover the best coffee. These travels helped him to come up with a secret blend of coffee now known as Café Bustelo. After starting with door-to-door sales, the company eventually grew into a multinational organization.
How Many Variants do Café Bustelo and Pilon have?
A crucial element to consider is the number of variants each brand offers. Whereas both have different coffee products on offer, Bustelo does have more variants.
With Café Pilon, you have six options. These include the original blend, espresso ground, gourmet, instant coffee, decaf, and a single-serve option.
Café Bustelo has a total of 13 products in its stable. They have Café Nirvana and Café San Salvador, ground coffee pods/capsules, Café Navidad instant coffee, Café Grande, and Café Cubano gourmet espresso.
Cuban Coffee vs. Dark Roast: Which Is Better?
Café Pilon and Café Bustelo have very contrasting flavors.
To start, Café Bustelo uses a dark roast unique to Latin America. Due to this, their coffee has a robust and fuller-bodied flavor. This appeals to those who love dark roasts with a rich flavor.
On the other hand, Pilon uses a milder blend of coffee beans. Their coffee is smooth and has a creamy texture. Coffee lovers who like lighter cups of coffee may enjoy this well-known brand more.
Which Has More Caffeine?
The amount of caffeine in your coffee depends on several factors. The type of coffee beans you use, the roast level of the whole bean coffee, the grind size, how it is made, and more; all affect how strong your cup of coffee will be.
You might think that both ground coffee brands would have an equal dose of caffeine. While you are likely to get the same amount of caffeine intake with Café Bustelo as you’d find in a regular cup of coffee, that is not always true.
For instance, dark roasts tend to have higher amounts of caffeine compared to lighter roasts. Since Bustelo tends to have darker roasts with a rich flavor, their coffee might contain more caffeine.
Still, Café Pilon’s Espresso roast has the highest caffeine content among both brands’ products. If you’re looking for something extra to kickstart your day, then Café Pilon will do.
Which Is Available in More Countries?
Café Pilon is one of the most popular commercial coffee brands in Europe, with a strong presence in Eastern Europe. However, it’s also quite popular in Latin America and Central America. In fact, Café Pilon is available in more than 20 counties across North and South America.
When compared with Café Bustelo, a Cuban-style coffee, Café Pilon is far more popular. It supports some bigger businesses, which gives it a broader reach in Europe and Latin American countries.
How to Make Café Pilon and Café Bustelo Coffees
Café Pilon and Café Bustelo both have a distinct taste. However, if you want to enjoy them at their best, then there are a few steps you need to take before brewing the coffee.
Follow these steps:
- Add one teaspoon of sugar or honey to 8 ounces of hot water. Stir well until it dissolves.
- Add two tablespoons of powdered coffee. Stir well.
- Leave it to brew for 3 minutes.
- Enjoy!
To make your Coffee taste even more flavorful, you can also add some cinnamon or cocoa powder.
Taste and Quality
When it comes to taste, there is no doubt that Café Pilon has an advantage over Café Bustelo. Coffee connoisseurs say that its flavor is distinctively Cuban. If you prefer your coffee to brew strong with a bold taste, the latter might be what you’re looking for.
Café Bustelo, however, is quite versatile because of its neutral flavor. You can enjoy a bold cup of Café Bustelo any day of the week. It’s also one of the most affordable premium coffees on the market today. There are even several types to choose from, including Espresso, Decaffeinated, Decaf French Roast Coffee, and more.
What’s Your Favorite Morning Brew?
If you are a coffee lover, you know that choosing a coffee is easier said than done. Both Pilon and Bustelo have world-famous flavors with a beautiful heritage.
In the end, the answer depends on your preferences. If you prefer a darker roast coffee packed with bold flavor, Bustelo may be the brand for you. Yet, if you want to enjoy a delicious taste of Cuba or simply want to try something new, you can’t go wrong with Café Pilon.
Either way, you will not be disappointed.
Happy Caffeinating!
