Who Makes Cafe Bustelo Coffee? Brand Details

Introduction

For many coffee drinkers, the sight of a small, yellow and red brick of coffee instantly brings to mind a strong, bold cup with a rich aroma. That recognizable brick belongs to Cafe Bustelo, a coffee that has built a loyal following over the course of nearly a century. From home kitchens to bodegas, from early morning cafecito to a creamy cup of cafe con leche, it has earned its place as one of the most recognizable espresso-style coffees in the United States.

With its long history and widespread presence, one question comes up time and time again: Who Makes Cafe Bustelo Coffee? The answer goes beyond just a name on a label. It involves a story of immigration, family ambition, cultural influence, and a change of ownership over the years that eventually led it to the company that produces it today.

Understanding who makes Cafe Bustelo Coffee helps put its taste, style, and legacy into perspective. This article takes a detailed look at the origins of the brand, the people behind its creation, its journey through different owners, who currently produces it, where it is made, what kind of coffee it is, and practical advice for getting the most out of it. By the end, you will have a clear and complete picture of the brand and its history.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The Short Answer
• The Man Behind the Name: Gregorio Bustelo
• The Early Years in East Harlem
• How Cafe Bustelo Grew Its Following
• Changes in Ownership Over the Years
• Who Makes Cafe Bustelo Coffee Today
• Where Is Cafe Bustelo Made?
• What Kind of Coffee Is Cafe Bustelo?
• Comparing Cafe Bustelo to Similar Coffees
• Popular Ways to Prepare Cafe Bustelo
• Tips and Best Practices for Brewing
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

The Short Answer

To put it plainly, Who Makes Cafe Bustelo Coffee? Today, Cafe Bustelo is owned and produced by The J.M. Smucker Company. While the brand carries the surname of its founder, it has not been a Bustelo family business for many decades. The J.M. Smucker Company oversees the sourcing, blending, roasting, packaging, and distribution of Cafe Bustelo across the United States and in many other markets.

That being said, the story of how it reached this point is just as important as the current ownership. The brand is deeply tied to the Cuban-American community of New York City, and much of its early growth came from word of mouth long before it appeared on a nationwide scale.

The Man Behind the Name: Gregorio Bustelo

The name Cafe Bustelo comes from Gregorio Bustelo, a Spanish immigrant with Cuban roots who set out to create a coffee that would feel familiar to the Latin communities he wanted to serve. Rather than trying to mimic mild American coffee of the time, he focused on creating a dark, robust blend designed with the preference for strong coffee in mind.

Gregorio Bustelo understood that for many of his customers, coffee was not a light, sippable drink meant to stretch for hours. It was meant to be bold, full-bodied, and capable of cutting through milk for a sweet, balanced cup. That goal would go on to define the entire identity of Cafe Bustelo.

His approach was simple: focus on a blend that delivered strength and richness at an affordable price. That combination proved to be far more impactful than flashy marketing ever could have been in the brand’s earliest days.

The Early Years in East Harlem

Cafe Bustelo first took shape in New York City during the late 1920s. At that time, East Harlem was a hub for many immigrant groups, and a growing Cuban and broader Latin community was establishing itself in the neighborhood. Gregorio Bustelo began selling his ground coffee directly to local grocers, delis, and restaurants that catered to that community.

Rather than advertising in large newspapers, the coffee spread through trusted sources. Store owners would recommend it to their regulars. Families would buy it for their homes. Cafeterias would use it to make the strong shots used for cafecito. All of this happened organically, with the product itself doing most of the selling.

One of the most iconic aspects of the brand also dates back to this era: the brick form. The vacuum-sealed, rectangular brick of finely ground coffee was practical for stores and easy for households to use. To this day, many longtime fans still associate Cafe Bustelo with that unmistakable brick.

How Cafe Bustelo Grew Its Following

The rise of Cafe Bustelo cannot be separated from the culture that embraced it. In many Latin households, making coffee is a daily ritual. A small pot, a little sugar, and a strong brew form the basis for shared moments between family members. Cafe Bustelo fit perfectly into that tradition.

As more Latin families moved to different parts of New York and eventually to other cities across the United States, they brought their coffee preferences with them. Bodegas in new neighborhoods began stocking the yellow and red brick to serve those customers. In turn, word spread to others who were looking for that same bold taste.

For decades, Cafe Bustelo remained a neighborhood staple before it ever became a widely known national brand. That grassroots growth is a large part of why it still carries such a strong sense of authenticity to this day. Many people did not discover it through a commercial, but by trying a cup at a relative’s house or from a corner store.

Changes in Ownership Over the Years

As demand grew, the brand eventually moved beyond direct family control. Over time, Cafe Bustelo changed hands multiple times before reaching its current owner. Each transition played a role in expanding its reach while, for the most part, keeping the core blend style intact.

At one point, the brand came under the ownership of Rowland Coffee Roasters. Later, it was owned by Sara Lee Corporation through its coffee division. These changes allowed for wider distribution, moving Cafe Bustelo from primarily being found in Latin grocery stores to more mainstream supermarkets across the country.

Despite these shifts in ownership, the recognizable taste profile remained a priority for many loyal drinkers. The brand managed to scale without losing the bold character that first drew people to it, which is no small feat after changing ownership so many times.

Who Makes Cafe Bustelo Coffee Today

Today, the answer to Who Makes Cafe Bustelo Coffee? is The J.M. Smucker Company. In 2006, The J.M. Smucker Company acquired the brand as part of its growing portfolio of coffee products.

The J.M. Smucker Company is a long-established food and beverage company based in Orrville, Ohio. Over the years, it has built a large coffee business that includes a variety of well-known brands. With its resources in sourcing, quality control, and nationwide distribution, Smucker has been able to make Cafe Bustelo more widely available than ever before.

Importantly, while ownership is now corporate, the brand still leans heavily into the identity it built over the decades. Much of its packaging, tone, and recognition still reflect its New York Latin roots. For most consumers, the product they know and buy today is the direct continuation of the blend that Gregorio Bustelo first sought to create.

Where Is Cafe Bustelo Made?

Many people assume Cafe Bustelo is still roasted in New York City due to its history, but that is not the case today. Under The J.M. Smucker Company’s operations, Cafe Bustelo is roasted and packaged at company facilities in the United States.

The exact blend uses coffee beans sourced from various growing regions, which is standard practice for many consistent, large-scale blends. By sourcing from multiple origins, the brand can maintain its signature bold profile year after year, regardless of small shifts in any single harvest.

What matters most to longtime fans is not the city on the building, but the fact that the finely ground, dark style remains true to the type of coffee it has always been known for. The taste and grind are what defined it in bodegas, and those core qualities are still central to the product today.

What Kind of Coffee Is Cafe Bustelo?

Cafe Bustelo is best described as a dark roast, finely ground, espresso-style coffee blend. It is not an officially certified single-origin coffee, but a carefully balanced blend created to deliver a strong, full-bodied cup.

Its grind is noticeably finer than many standard drip grinds. That finer texture is one of the reasons it works so well for brewing methods that use pressure or for making a concentrated shot. It is also why it can easily be used to make a small, potent brew that holds up well when mixed with warm milk and sugar.

The flavor profile tends to lean toward dark cocoa, toasted nuts, and a gentle smokiness with very low perceived acidity compared to lighter roasts. It is bold without relying on harshness for the sake of strength. That balance is a key reason it appeals to both people who want a straight, strong cup and those who prefer it mixed into a sweeter, milk-based drink.

Another point worth noting is versatility. While it was built with Latin-style preparations in mind, it has found a place in many different brewing routines. From a classic stovetop moka pot to an electric espresso-style brewer, its strength holds up well in all of them.

Comparing Cafe Bustelo to Similar Coffees

To better understand where Cafe Bustelo stands, it helps to look at how it compares to a few other dark, bold options that are often considered alongside it. This comparison focuses on grind, strength, common use, and overall character.

Coffee	Roast Style	Grind	Overall Character	Common Use
Cafe Bustelo	Dark roast blend	Very fine	Bold, full-bodied, low acidity, rich with a toasty finish	Moka pot, cafetera, espresso-style brewers, cafe con leche
Cafe La Llave	Dark roast blend	Fine	Strong, slightly earthy, with a very traditional Latin profile	Cafetera, moka pot, stovetop for cafecito
Medaglia D’Oro Espresso	Dark roast blend	Fine to very fine	Robust, slightly sharper, with a more classic Italian-style edge	Stovetop espresso makers, home espresso-style machines
Lavazza Espresso (ground)	Varies by blend, often medium-dark to dark	Fine	Balanced, more rounded, often with more nutty or subtle notes	Espresso machines, moka pots, home brewers

While all of these can produce a strong cup, Cafe Bustelo stands out for its distinct identity. It was never designed to strictly imitate Italian espresso, even though it is often used in similar brewers. Instead, it was crafted to suit the taste of Latin coffee drinkers, and that distinction is still noticeable to those familiar with the style.

Popular Ways to Prepare Cafe Bustelo

One of the biggest reasons for the lasting popularity of Cafe Bustelo is how well it adapts to traditional preparations. Below is a straightforward, step-by-step guide to some of the most common ways to brew it at home.

Method 1: Classic Stovetop Cafecito

This is the preparation most closely tied to its roots. A small, strong brew is made and often sweetened as it brews.

1. Gather your supplies: Use a small aluminum or stainless steel stovetop coffeemaker designed for this style, Cafe Bustelo finely ground coffee, water, and sugar.
2. Add water: Fill the bottom chamber of your coffeemaker with water up to just below the safety valve.
3. Add coffee: Fill the filter basket with Cafe Bustelo. Level it gently without pressing it down too firmly.
4. Brew: Assemble the coffeemaker and place it over medium-low heat. Watch closely as the coffee begins to rise into the top chamber.
5. Sweeten traditionally: While brewing, you can prepare espumita by adding a small amount of sugar to a few drops of the first brewed coffee in a separate cup and stirring vigorously until foamy. Pour the rest of the coffee over it and stir gently.
6. Serve: Pour into small cups and enjoy while hot.

Method 2: Cafe Con Leche

This is one of the most comforting and widely used ways to enjoy Cafe Bustelo. The bold brew is balanced by warm, scalded milk.

1. Brew strong coffee: Prepare a concentrated brew using a moka pot or your preferred method with Cafe Bustelo.
2. Heat the milk: While the coffee is brewing, heat milk in a separate pot or microwave. Many prefer it hot but not boiling.
3. Combine: In a larger cup, add equal parts strong coffee and hot milk, adjusting to your taste.
4. Sweeten if desired: Add sugar to taste and stir until fully dissolved.
5. Enjoy: Best served hot with a light breakfast or on its own.

Method 3: Moka Pot Brew

The moka pot is a very common pairing for Cafe Bustelo and requires little effort.

1. Fill base: Add water to the lower chamber up to just below the valve.
2. Fill basket: Add finely ground Cafe Bustelo to the basket, level without tamping.
3. Assemble: Screw the top chamber on firmly.
4. Heat: Place over medium heat. Remove from heat as soon as you hear a gurgling sound.
5. Serve: Pour into your cup. It can be enjoyed straight or mixed with milk.

Tips and Best Practices for Brewing

Getting a great cup of Cafe Bustelo is mostly about control and restraint. Keep these practical tips in mind for the best results:

• Use the right grind for your brewer: Cafe Bustelo already comes at the right fine grind for moka pots and stovetop coffeemakers. Avoid making it even finer.
• Do not overpack: Level the grounds lightly. Compacting them too much can restrict flow and lead to a slower, uneven brew.
• Watch the heat: Medium to medium-low heat gives you more control. High heat increases the chance of rushing the brew and pulling unwanted bitterness.
• Mind your ratio: For a strong cafecito, use less water and a full basket. For cafe con leche, brew more concentrated than you would for a standard mug of drip.
• Freshness still matters: Once opened, keep the brick or grounds sealed tightly in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to help preserve its aroma.
• Adjust to your taste: Some prefer it unsweetened, others with sugar. There is no single correct way. The goal is a cup you enjoy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even though Cafe Bustelo is forgiving, a few common missteps can take away from the cup. Avoiding these will go a long way:

• Tamping like espresso: Unlike a pressurized espresso machine, most moka pots do not require tamping. Pressing down too hard is one of the most frequent errors.
• Using boiling hot heat from the start: Cranking the burner to maximum heat can cause the coffee to rise too quickly and can mute the smoother, toasted notes.
• Leaving it on the heat: As soon as it starts sputtering or gurgling, remove it from the burner. Letting it sit can over-extract it.
• Over-diluting too soon: If making cafe con leche, brew a properly concentrated base first. Adding too much milk to a weak brew will dull the character that makes Cafe Bustelo stand out.
• Ignoring the valve: Never fill past the safety valve in a moka pot. This is a safety measure and also helps with proper brewing.
• Expecting a light cup: This is a bold coffee by design. Approaching it with that expectation will lead to a much more satisfying result.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes Cafe Bustelo Coffee now?

Cafe Bustelo is made by The J.M. Smucker Company. They have owned and produced the brand since 2006.

Was Cafe Bustelo founded by a Bustelo family?

Yes. The brand was created by Gregorio Bustelo, an immigrant who developed the blend to serve the Latin community in East Harlem, New York. However, the brand is no longer family-owned.

Where is Cafe Bustelo roasted today?

Today, Cafe Bustelo is roasted and packaged in the United States at facilities operated by The J.M. Smucker Company. While its roots are in New York City, production has moved to Smucker’s coffee operations.

Is Cafe Bustelo considered espresso coffee?

It is often called “espresso-style” rather than true Italian espresso. Its fine grind and dark roast make it ideal for moka pots and similar brewers, and many people use it to make a concentrated brew. It is a Latin-style dark roast blend built for its own tradition.

What makes Cafe Bustelo different from regular ground coffee?

The main differences are its very fine grind, dark roast profile, and low perceived acidity. It is formulated to be bold and to hold up well with milk and sugar. That combination is what makes it ideal for cafecito and cafe con leche.

Is Cafe Bustelo strong?

Yes, by design. It produces a full-bodied, bold cup. The strength is noticeable, especially when brewed in a small volume. However, “strong” here refers more to body and richness than just bitterness when brewed correctly.

Can I use Cafe Bustelo in a drip coffee maker?

You can, but it is not the method it was built for. Since it is ground very fine, using it in some drip machines can lead to over-extraction or even slow the flow. If you do use it, consider a slightly smaller amount and be cautious with finer-filtered machines. Most people find moka pots or stovetop methods far more suited to it.

Why is Cafe Bustelo so popular?

Its popularity comes from a mix of history, affordability, and taste. It became a staple through word of mouth in Latin communities, offers a bold flavor at a reasonable price, and has remained consistent for decades. Many also have strong personal memories tied to it, which only adds to its loyalty.

Conclusion

So, when asking Who Makes Cafe Bustelo Coffee?, the clear answer is The J.M. Smucker Company. Yet, reducing this brand to a single name on a corporate roster misses the bigger picture. Cafe Bustelo is the product of Gregorio Bustelo’s vision, built in the heart of East Harlem and carried forward by generations of families who made it part of their everyday lives.

From its humble beginnings sold to local grocers, to its iconic brick becoming a bodega staple, to its nationwide presence today, the brand’s strength has always come from its connection to culture. The fact that it changed hands over the years without losing its bold, unmistakable identity speaks to how well-defined that profile truly is.

Whether enjoyed as a tiny cup of sweet cafecito, a warm mug of cafe con leche, or brewed your own way at home, Cafe Bustelo continues to deliver the same kind of full-bodied punch it always has. Its history is proof that sometimes, the simplest ideas made with a clear purpose can outlast trends and become a lasting tradition. For countless people, that little yellow and red brick is far more than coffee. It is a reminder of home, routine, and shared moments that never go out of style.