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Cuba

Recipes connected with Cuba

Food and eating habits

How people eat in Cuba

50 indicators exploring everyday meals, ingredients and food culture. Information is completed progressively from documented evidence.

49 of 50 indicators with documented information

Not all data are comparable: food supply, purchases and intake are different measures. Check the period, population and method for each finding. Qualitative descriptions do not establish percentages or amounts.

Timing and company

7/8

Timing and company — Cuba
Indicator	Findings and context
Meal times	Qualitative descriptionSurvey In the households studied, lunch was between 12:00 and 1:30 p.m. local time. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Families in Leguina, Güines, Mayabeque, with children with nutritional disorders. Geographic scope 2011 fieldwork. Definition and method Case study of food-related care. Comparison limitations Local time window. It does not measure how long lunch lasted.
Meals per day	Quantitative findingSurvey 52.3% of boys and 45.0% of girls reported 5 to 6 meals a day. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2004–2005 Unit % of participants Population or sample Volunteer students at four secondary schools in Old Havana. Geographic scope 2004–2005 school year. Definition and method Cross-sectional study using eating-habit questionnaires. Comparison limitations Shares in the school sample, with snacks included in the count.
Meal duration	Insufficient data in the sources consulted
Daily energy distribution	Quantitative findingObserved intake For the subgroup of boys without obesity, published means were 12.80% of daily energy at breakfast, 20.52% at snacks, 27.24% at lunch and 39.71% at dinner. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 1992 Unit % of daily energy Population or sample Boys without obesity in the study subgroup from two schools in Boyeros, Havana. Geographic scope 1992 study. Definition and method Three-day food records. The table was reproduced by a coauthor of the original study. Comparison limitations Subgroup means retained as published. They do not represent the general population.
Weekdays and weekends	Qualitative descriptionSurvey Some children had breakfast and their morning snack when they woke up at weekends. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Families studied in Leguina, Güines, Mayabeque. Geographic scope 2011 fieldwork. Definition and method Case study of food-related care. Comparison limitations Local observation of families with children with nutritional disorders.
Eating at home and away	Qualitative descriptionSurvey At Guerrillero Heroico school, some pupils left to have lunch at their caregiver’s home. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Pupils at the school studied in Marianao, Havana. Geographic scope Study published in 2019. Definition and method Interviews with pupils and school informants. Comparison limitations Local example of lunch away from school. It gives no national proportions.
Cooking frequency	Qualitative descriptionSurvey The sample menus record home preparations on consecutive days, including okra stew, rice and soup. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample One household studied in Havana. Geographic scope Examples from 2012. Definition and method Ethnographic record of household menus. Comparison limitations Example of a household routine. It gives neither cooking days per week nor preparation minutes.
Eating together	Qualitative descriptionSurvey In some cases, children ate their evening meal with the adults. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Families studied in Leguina, Güines, Mayabeque. Geographic scope 2011 fieldwork. Definition and method Case study of food-related care. Comparison limitations Local observation of families with children with nutritional disorders.

Pantry and recipes

2/2

Pantry and recipes — Cuba
Indicator	Findings and context
Most consumed ingredients	Quantitative findingFood supply Estimated food availability was 164.26 kg of rice and products, 64.61 kg of wheat and products and 50.23 kg of cassava and products per person per year. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2019 Unit kg/person/year Population or sample Cuba’s population in the national balance. Geographic scope Year 2019. Definition and method National food balance. Three categories were selected and the original units retained. Comparison limitations Historical estimated availability for human food use. The balance does not measure individual intake or show current availability.
Ingredient prevalence in recipes	Qualitative descriptionRecipe sample Garlic appears in the sampled ropa vieja, chicken and rice, and yuca with mojo. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2026-11-04 Population or sample Five published KitchenPause recipes linked to Cuba. Geographic scope Catalogue consulted on 4 November 2026. Definition and method Public Spanish ingredient lists were read. Each recipe was counted once by identity and each ingredient once per recipe. Comparison limitations Editorial sample of five recipes. Selection shapes the result and it does not measure intake.

Cereals and plant foods

6/6

Cereals and plant foods — Cuba
Indicator	Findings and context
Cereals and cereal products	Quantitative findingFood supply Estimated availability per person per year was 164.26 kg of rice and products, 64.61 kg of wheat and products and 1.16 kg of maize and products. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2019 Unit kg/person/year Population or sample Cuba’s population in the national balance. Geographic scope Year 2019, historical data. Definition and method National food balance. The amounts refer to the series categories and are expressed in kg per person per year. Comparison limitations Availability for human food use. The series does not measure individual intake or frequency of consumption. The balance includes processed products and does not give cooked serving weights.
Bread	Quantitative findingPurchases The temporary September 2024 resolution listed a 60 g unit of rationed bread for Cuba’s regulated household basket. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2024 Unit g per unit specified Population or sample People covered by Cuba’s regulated household basket. Geographic scope Resolution signed on 13 September 2024. Definition and method The weight comes from the temporary retail price table per unit. Comparison limitations Historical specification per unit. It gives no quantity received or eaten per person.
Pulses	Quantitative findingFood supply Estimated availability per person per year was 12.14 kg of beans and 6.46 kg of other pulses and products. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2019 Unit kg/person/year Population or sample Cuba’s population in the national balance. Geographic scope Year 2019, historical data. Definition and method National food balance. The amounts refer to the series categories and are expressed in kg per person per year. Comparison limitations Availability for human food use. The series does not measure individual intake or frequency of consumption. The series does not give cooked serving weights.
Vegetables	Quantitative findingFood supply Estimated availability per person per year was 6.43 kg of onions and 40.49 kg of tomatoes and products. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2019 Unit kg/person/year Population or sample Cuba’s population in the national balance. Geographic scope Year 2019, historical data. Definition and method National food balance. The amounts refer to the series categories and are expressed in kg per person per year. Comparison limitations Availability for human food use. The series does not measure individual intake or frequency of consumption.
Fruit	Quantitative findingFood supply Estimated availability per person per year was 3.46 kg of oranges and mandarins, 21.16 kg of bananas and 62.54 kg of plantains. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2019 Unit kg/person/year Population or sample Cuba’s population in the national balance. Geographic scope Year 2019, historical data. Definition and method National food balance. The amounts refer to the series categories and are expressed in kg per person per year. Comparison limitations Availability for human food use. The series does not measure individual intake or frequency of consumption.
Potatoes, roots and tubers	Quantitative findingFood supply Estimated availability per person per year was 10.78 kg of potatoes and products, 50.23 kg of cassava and products and 35.79 kg of sweet potatoes. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2019 Unit kg/person/year Population or sample Cuba’s population in the national balance. Geographic scope Year 2019, historical data. Definition and method National food balance. The amounts refer to the series categories and are expressed in kg per person per year. Comparison limitations Availability for human food use. The series does not measure individual intake or frequency of consumption.

Protein foods

5/5

Protein foods — Cuba
Indicator	Findings and context
Meat	Quantitative findingFood supply Estimated availability per person per year was 65.72 kg of total meat, 8.17 kg of beef, 22.82 kg of pigmeat and 29.13 kg of poultry meat. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2019 Unit kg/person/year Population or sample Cuba’s population covered by the national balance. Geographic scope Year 2019, historical data. Definition and method National food balance. The unit is kg per person per year. Comparison limitations The series estimates availability for human food use. The breakdowns are included in the total. The series does not measure portions eaten or identify carcass or individual edible weights.
Fish and seafood	Quantitative findingFood supply Estimated availability per person per year was 6.10 kg of total fish and seafood, 1.92 kg of freshwater fish and 2.61 kg of pelagic fish. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2019 Unit kg/person/year Population or sample Cuba’s population covered by the national balance. Geographic scope Year 2019, historical data. Definition and method National food balance. The unit is kg per person per year. Comparison limitations The series estimates availability for human food use. The breakdowns are included in the total. The balance gives no intake, individual species or share of fresh versus preserved products.
Eggs	Quantitative findingFood supply Estimated availability per person per year was 9.41 kg of eggs. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2019 Unit kg/person/year Population or sample Cuba’s population covered by the national balance. Geographic scope Year 2019, historical data. Definition and method National food balance. The unit is kg per person per year. Comparison limitations The series estimates availability for human food use. The balance does not show how many eggs were eaten.
Milk and dairy products	Quantitative findingFood supply Estimated availability per person per year was 106.16 kg of milk excluding butter. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2019 Unit kg/person/year Population or sample Cuba’s population covered by the national balance. Geographic scope Year 2019, historical data. Definition and method National food balance. The unit is kg per person per year. Comparison limitations The series estimates availability for human food use. The category does not split out cheese and yoghurt or measure fluid milk intake.
Protein sources	Quantitative findingObserved intake The study attributed 79.5% of protein intake in the subgroup to animal sources. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2015-16 Unit % of total dietary protein Population or sample Infants aged 6 to 11 months sampled in Havana, Sancti Spíritus, Las Tunas and Santiago de Cuba. Geographic scope The methods date fieldwork to 2015–2016. The title gives 2016–2017. Definition and method 24-hour recall reported by the mother or caregiver. Comparison limitations Share of estimated intake in this subgroup. The study does not separate contributions from meat, fish, eggs, dairy and pulses in this result.

Fats, flavours and condiments

3/3

Fats, flavours and condiments — Cuba
Indicator	Findings and context
Cooking fats	Quantitative findingFood supply Estimated availability per person per year was 7.59 kg of soybean oil, 0.11 kg of sunflowerseed oil, 0.04 kg of olive oil and 0.10 kg of butter and ghee. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2019 Unit kg/person/year Population or sample Cuba’s population covered by the national balance. Geographic scope Year 2019, historical data. Definition and method National food balance. The unit is kg per person per year. Comparison limitations The series estimates availability for human food use. The series does not measure intake or distinguish culinary uses.
Herbs and spices	Qualitative descriptionCultural context Cumin appears in Creole black beans alongside onion and garlic. The repertoire also lists oregano and bay leaf as seasonings. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Cuban Creole cuisine. Geographic scope Culinary repertoire described in a chapter on food history. Definition and method Description of dishes and seasonings in a written repertoire. Comparison limitations Qualitative evidence. The source gives no frequency in recipes or households.
Sauces and condiments	Qualitative descriptionCultural context One version of mojo for cassava combines garlic, sour orange, pork fat and onion. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Cuban Creole cuisine. Geographic scope Culinary repertoire described in a chapter on food history. Definition and method Description of dishes and seasonings in a written repertoire. Comparison limitations Qualitative evidence. The source gives no frequency in recipes or households.

Meal composition

6/6

Meal composition — Cuba
Indicator	Findings and context
Breakfast composition	Qualitative descriptionSurvey Bread and milk were mentioned for breakfast. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2016–2017 Population or sample Third- and fifth-grade pupils at Armando Ramos school, El Mirador, Havana. Geographic scope 2016–2017 school year. Definition and method Face-to-face pupil interviews in a local study. Comparison limitations Reported habits at this school. The study gives no national estimates or serving weights.
Main meal composition	Qualitative descriptionSurvey Some fifth-graders said they almost always had rice and eggs for lunch. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2016–2017 Population or sample Third- and fifth-grade pupils at Armando Ramos school, El Mirador, Havana. Geographic scope 2016–2017 school year. Definition and method Face-to-face pupil interviews in a local study. Comparison limitations Reported habits at this school. The study gives no national estimates or serving weights.
Dinner composition	Qualitative descriptionSurvey For late-afternoon or evening meals, the study notes more mentions of processed meats among fifth-graders. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2016–2017 Population or sample Third- and fifth-grade pupils at Armando Ramos school, El Mirador, Havana. Geographic scope 2016–2017 school year. Definition and method Face-to-face pupil interviews in a local study. Comparison limitations Reported habits at this school. The study gives no national estimates or serving weights.
Appetisers and snacks	Qualitative descriptionSurvey In both classes studied, more than half of the pupils had a snack. Nearby stalls and cafés sold candies, sweets, fried snacks and bread with fillings or toppings. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2016–2017 Population or sample Third- and fifth-grade pupils at Armando Ramos school, El Mirador, Havana. Geographic scope 2016–2017 school year. Definition and method Face-to-face pupil interviews in a local study. Comparison limitations Reported habits at this school. The study gives no national estimates or serving weights.
Desserts and sweets	Qualitative descriptionCultural context Cusubé is made of cassava fritters, optionally with sweet potato, topped with honey. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Cuban Creole cuisine. Geographic scope Repertoire described in a chapter on food history. Definition and method Written description of a dessert and its ingredients. Comparison limitations Qualitative evidence. The chapter gives no frequency or serving size.
Portion sizes	Quantitative findingSurvey The table gives 50 g as the reference serving for one whole egg. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2022 Unit g per reference serving Population or sample Pregnant and breastfeeding women in Cuba. Geographic scope 2022 edition of the guide. Definition and method Equivalent listed in the reference-serving table. Comparison limitations Reference weight for meal planning. The guide does not measure portions served or eaten.

Techniques and equipment

5/5

Techniques and equipment — Cuba
Indicator	Findings and context
Cooking techniques	Qualitative descriptionCultural context The repertoire includes boiled malanga with mojo and malanga fritters. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Cuban Creole cuisine. Geographic scope Repertoire described in a chapter on food history. Definition and method Written description of preparations. Comparison limitations Qualitative example without measured frequency.
Vegetable preparation	Qualitative descriptionCultural context A salad in the Creole repertoire combines avocado, tomato, radish, lettuce and cucumber. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Cuban Creole cuisine. Geographic scope Repertoire described in a chapter on food history. Definition and method Written description of preparations. Comparison limitations Qualitative example without measured frequency.
Food preservation	Qualitative descriptionCultural context The traditional process described for Cuban tasajo combines salting and sun-drying. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Tasajo production in Cuba. Geographic scope Traditional technique recorded in a food technology thesis. Definition and method Technical description of preservation stages. Comparison limitations The example gives no household frequency.
Fermented foods	Qualitative descriptionCultural context The soy yoghurt studied in Santiago de Cuba was made by fermentation with a bacterial starter culture. Soy yoghurt also appeared among breakfasts reported by pupils in El Mirador. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Dairy plant in Santiago de Cuba and pupils in El Mirador, Havana. Geographic scope Production study and 2016–2017 school survey, respectively. Definition and method Starter culture study and pupil interviews, with independent samples. Comparison limitations Production and consumption examples. They give no national frequency.
Kitchen equipment	Qualitative descriptionSurvey The thesis records rice cookers and pressure cookers in the dwellings studied. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Families living in poverty in the older part of Miraflores, Havana. Geographic scope Research presented in a 2009 thesis. Definition and method Local household study using surveys, interviews and observation. Comparison limitations The finding is limited to the dwellings studied.

Drinks

3/3

Drinks — Cuba
Indicator	Findings and context
Everyday drinks	Quantitative findingSurvey Approximately 90% of pupils surveyed reported drinking soft drinks frequently. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2004–2005 Unit % of participants Population or sample Volunteer seventh-grade students at four secondary schools in Old Havana. Geographic scope 2004–2005 school year. Definition and method Cross-sectional study using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Comparison limitations Share of participants. It gives neither litres nor a national estimate.
Coffee and tea preparation	Qualitative descriptionCultural context In one Cuban coffee recipe, a stovetop moka pot is used and the first drops of coffee are stirred with sugar before the rest is added. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Published Cuban coffee recipe. Geographic scope One preparation described for a moka pot. Definition and method Written preparation instructions. Comparison limitations Qualitative example. It gives no cup sizes or coffee or tea consumption.
Drinks with meals	Qualitative descriptionSurvey Third-grade pupils reported milk and powdered soft drinks at breakfast. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2016–2017 Population or sample Armando Ramos school in El Mirador, Havana. Geographic scope 2016–2017 school year. Definition and method Face-to-face pupil interviews about eating habits. Comparison limitations Local breakfast example. It does not describe drinks at other meals.

Nutrition and dietary patterns

3/3

Nutrition and dietary patterns — Cuba
Indicator	Findings and context
Energy and nutrients	Quantitative findingObserved intake Mean estimated energy intake in the Guantánamo study group was 1747 kcal per day. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 1996 Unit kcal/day Population or sample Volunteer smokers in Guantánamo. Geographic scope April 1996. Definition and method Daily food records for one week, with intake calculated using a food composition table. Comparison limitations Historical result limited to the study group. It gives neither national intake nor long-term usual intake.
Salt and sugars	Quantitative findingObserved intake Estimated dietary sodium intake was 3242 mg per day. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2020–2021 Unit mg sodium/day Population or sample Adults studied in western, central and eastern Cuba. Geographic scope Recalls collected from October 2020 to March 2021. Definition and method Total Diet Study combining 24-hour recalls with analysis of pooled foods. Comparison limitations Estimate of dietary sodium. The result is not expressed in grams of salt and does not quantify sugars.
Dietary patterns	Qualitative descriptionSurvey People interviewed about vegan and vegetarian eating described making coconut, oat or sesame drinks at home. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample People interviewed in Cuba for a food research project. Geographic scope Accounts from exploratory fieldwork. Definition and method Published reports of self-described cooking practices. Comparison limitations Qualitative evidence. It does not estimate prevalence or verify adherence to each pattern.

Shopping, prices and waste

7/7

Shopping, prices and waste — Cuba
Indicator	Findings and context
Food expenditure	Quantitative findingSurvey 79.31% of respondents reported spending more than half their monthly income on food. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2025 Unit % of respondents Population or sample Survey respondents in Cuba. Geographic scope May to July 2025. Definition and method Food security survey using self-reports. Comparison limitations Income share threshold, with no per-person amount.
Cost of a common basket	Quantitative findingPurchases The food component of the reference basket was estimated at 70070 CUP per month. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2026 Unit CUP/month Population or sample Theoretical food basket for Cuba. Geographic scope Estimate published in May 2026. Definition and method Fixed quantities priced using weighted averages from municipalities in all provinces. Comparison limitations Estimate for this basket. The source gives no exact price collection dates.
Cost of specific meals	Quantitative findingPurchases The ropa vieja set meal was listed at 8190 CUP and included a main dish, sides, a drink and dessert. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2026 Unit CUP per set meal Population or sample Casa Mía restaurant, Vedado, Havana. Geographic scope Menu consulted on 4 November 2026. Definition and method Price published by the restaurant for the set meal. Comparison limitations Listed price for one menu item. The menu gives neither serving weights nor average prices.
Grocery shopping locations	Quantitative findingSurvey Combining the informal market and micro, small and medium-sized businesses was the most cited option, with 31.29% of responses. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2025 Unit % of responses Population or sample Survey respondents in Cuba. Geographic scope May to July 2025. Definition and method Question about alternatives when food is unavailable in state outlets. Comparison limitations Share of responses, with no spending share by outlet.
Shopping frequency	Quantitative findingPurchases The diary recorded 44 shopping trips over 15 days. Scope, method and limitations Observation period 2007 Unit trips per 15 days Population or sample One household in Havana. Geographic scope April 2007. Definition and method Ethnographic tracking of purchases by day and outlet type. Comparison limitations Record for one household. It gives neither weekly visits nor average basket size.
Prepared food and delivery	Qualitative descriptionCultural context Casa Mía advertised home delivery of set meals in Havana. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample One restaurant in Vedado, Havana. Geographic scope Menu consulted in November 2026. Definition and method Service description published by the restaurant. Comparison limitations Example of an offer. It does not measure orders or spending.
Household food waste	Qualitative descriptionSurvey The school study identified disposal of prepared food left uneaten as a household planning issue. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Sixth-grade pupils at participating schools in Boyeros, Havana. Geographic scope Study published in 2023. Definition and method Questionnaire on household food handling and waste. Comparison limitations Reported practice. The study did not weigh waste or separate edible and inedible fractions.

Seasons and celebrations

2/2

Seasons and celebrations — Cuba
Indicator	Findings and context
Seasonal produce	Qualitative descriptionFood supply The provincial profile places papaya production from January to April, mango from April to August and tomato from October to January. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Santiago de Cuba province. Geographic scope Usual production calendar described in a study published in 2020. Definition and method Regional profile of the fruit and vegetable supply chain. Comparison limitations Indicative local seasons. They may vary with weather and do not describe retail availability.
Celebration food	Qualitative descriptionCultural context The author recalls suckling pig and cassava-flour fritters being prepared for Christmas Eve on 24 December. Scope, method and limitations Population or sample Family setting in rural Cuba, around San Antonio de los Baños. Geographic scope Childhood and adolescent memories from before 1959. Definition and method Autobiographical account of family celebrations. Comparison limitations Historical account from a rural setting. It gives no current prevalence.

Coverage in progress

The editorial guide for this country is in preparation. You can already explore its recipes; regional attributions are added when documented.

Guide available in other languages: Español

Places and communities

One country, many cuisines

An initial selection of regions to explore. Culinary boundaries may differ from administrative divisions.

Cuba

Baracoa y Guantánamo

Cuba

Camagüey

Cuba

La Habana

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