The story of Café Bustelo begins when Gregorio Menendez Bustelo, a Spanish immigrant, arrived in East Harlem, New York, in the 1920s.
His passion for coffee was inspired by a visit to Havana, Cuba, after which he crafted his own unique Latin espresso-style roast using a carefully selected blend of coffee beans. Gregorio Bustelo began by hand-grinding and selling his coffee to locals within the East Harlem community.
By 1928, he had saved enough money from his job at the Hotel Pennsylvania’s restaurant to open his own coffee shop on 5th Avenue, named Bustelo Coffee Roasters, which became popular.
In the 1930s, Gregorio Bustelo expanded his reach by distributing his Café Bustelo blend to Latino-owned bodegas and small markets across New York City. With the support of his wife, Angelina, the business flourished and expanded to new markets, such as Miami.
Over time, Café Bustelo’s iconic yellow, blue, and red cans became a familiar sight in grocery stores nationwide, establishing the brand as a leading name in Latin-style coffee.
The brand is currently owned by the J.M. Smucker Company.