A Cuban influencer has sparked a lively discussion online after sharing a video showcasing her breakfast in Cuba. Rather than flaunting her meal, she reflects on the privileges involved in accessing certain foods on the island. The video, posted by TikTok user @kary_y_jony, begins with the phrase: "This is what I eat for breakfast while living in Cuba," a statement common among some social media creators. However, she quickly shifts to a more realistic perspective. "That's what many content creators in Cuba say, but the reality is that in Cuba, having coffee for breakfast is more than a luxury, and if having coffee is a luxury, imagine having milk, pancakes. I'm sure very few Cubans have tried this; in most parts of the world, it would be normal, but not in Cuba. And I’m not saying there aren’t people in Cuba who eat like this, but it’s not the norm."
The young woman acknowledges that she cannot enjoy such breakfasts every day and credits her followers for making it possible. "Thanks to God and our followers, today we can have this breakfast. The truth is that even a professional can't afford these luxuries. How wonderful it would be if all Cuban children could have breakfast like this or choose what they want to eat. Don't think I eat this every day, and don’t believe I’m going to eat it all by myself," she added. She concluded her message by calling for more honesty on social media: "In short, we need to be more empathetic and sincere online. Tell me, what is the most common breakfast in Cuba?"
Comments on the video poured in, with users sharing their own experiences marked by scarcity, some offering direct criticism, others showing resignation or sarcasm. One Cuban lamented that many children in Oriente only have sugar water for breakfast, and that's if sugar is available. Others jokingly said they "eat disappointments" for breakfast or claimed that what's shown is "not a Cuban breakfast." Some speculated that the influencer's lifestyle is supported by external aid, while others accused her of being financially dependent. In contrast, some users offered practical suggestions for making breakfasts with limited resources or simply showed support.
This content is part of a trend on social media where several women from the island share their morning meals, sparking debates on representation, inequality, and privilege. One young woman displayed a breakfast with strawberries grown in her garden, prompting a flood of comments questioning access to such foods in Cuba due to the difficulty of cultivating them in the local climate. Another Cuban improvised her breakfast with brown sugar water due to the lack of milk, while a third combined breakfast and lunch with eggs, sausages, and bread, highlighting the need to stretch a single meal for the day due to limited options.
The scarcity of coffee in Cuba is not just a daily perception but the result of a structural crisis affecting the entire production chain, from harvest to distribution. Traditionally coffee-growing provinces like Guantánamo and Santiago de Cuba have failed to meet their collection targets in recent years, and often the beans do not even reach the bodegas, as reported by the producers themselves. While the regime attempts to revitalize the sector with international projects like Innova Café Guantánamo, funded by the Andalusian Agency for International Cooperation, the reality for Cuban households is that obtaining coffee is a luxury dependent on external shipments or the informal market, where a pound can cost up to 200 pesos.
The situation has become so severe that the arrival of rationed coffee at the bodegas, after months of absence, is celebrated as an exceptional event. This was the case in Holguín, where a young woman documented on social media how, after five months, she could finally collect her coffee ration from the ration book, linking this sudden abundance to the proximity of May 1st, suggesting it was a propaganda move to "keep us happy" rather than a sustained solution. Meanwhile, in Santiago, missed production goals, labor shortages, payment delays, and logistical failures have turned the traditional "buchito" of coffee into a symbol of national disillusionment, reflecting the deep disconnect between Cuba's countryside and urban tables.
The message from @kary_y_jony stands out for breaking away from the aspirational narrative of some digital creators in Cuba, making an explicit call for empathy and honesty, acknowledging that her breakfast is not the norm, that she cannot afford such meals every day, and that even professionals in Cuba struggle to achieve that level of nutrition. Her post has opened up a necessary conversation about the disparities that define the everyday lives of Cubans on the island.
Understanding Cuba's Breakfast Challenges
Why is coffee considered a luxury in Cuba?
Coffee is considered a luxury in Cuba due to a structural crisis affecting its production and distribution, leading to scarcity and high prices in informal markets.
How do social media influencers impact the perception of life in Cuba?
Influencers can shape perceptions by sharing personal experiences, which can highlight the disparities and challenges faced by ordinary Cubans, while also sometimes appearing to portray an aspirational lifestyle.
What are common breakfast foods in Cuba?
Common breakfast foods in Cuba often include simple items like bread and coffee, but due to scarcity, many resort to alternatives like sugar water or stretching meals to cover both breakfast and lunch.