Cuban Woman in the U.S. Shares Care Package from Her Mother: "My Mouth Was Watering"

A Cuban woman living in Miami took to TikTok to reveal the contents of a care package sent by her mother from Cuba, offering a humorous yet heartfelt glimpse into the everyday lives of countless families separated by migration.

Known on the platform as @yuyu_la_cubana, the creator shared a "haul" video on Sunday—a detailed look at the items she received—expressing gratitude mixed with the nostalgia that defines the Cuban diaspora.

“Here's a haul of little things my mom sent me from Cuba, so let's dive in,” the young woman began before opening a seemingly nondescript box. Inside, she found fresh Cuban pastries that had been jostled during airport handling. “I understand they got a bit smashed, but imagine them anyway,” she remarked, acknowledging the sentiment behind the gesture.

The journey to collect the package involved a three-hour drive through a storm. “I went with God and returned with God,” she summarized.

The box also contained an item called “cañapítula” or “cañandonga”—which the author admitted she couldn't quite identify—along with honey for mixing with orange juice, both intended to boost her hemoglobin. “Comments say you can find everything in the U.S., but my mom insists nothing compares to what comes from home,” she explained, echoing a mother's trust in her homeland’s remedies over those from the northern superpower.

Additionally, the care package included two amoxicillin pills and some "polirios," which are vitamin supplements. “The best medicine comes from Cuba, and if my mom sends it, I accept it with love,” the young woman stated. This detail is significant given Cuba's severe medication shortages, affecting over 70% of essential drugs, with amoxicillin being one of the hardest to obtain, often costing 700 Cuban pesos on the black market.

The packaging itself was notable: her mother used recycled containers for storage. “Like any Cuban, my mom recycles everything, even the bottles,” the young woman commented, highlighting a habit born from chronic scarcity that Cubans maintain even abroad.

The highlight of the package was a bowl of ground peanut nougat, a traditional Cuban peanut and sugar treat. “I’m a huge fan, a huge fan,” she declared before sampling it on camera. “I know they sell it here, but I prefer the Cuban kind, and if my mom sends it, I love my mom's version.”

Unboxing videos like this have become a recurring trend among Cubans abroad, eliciting strong emotional reactions from the community. These packages frequently contain food, medicine, and hygiene products, the three areas most affected by shortages on the island.

“Tell me if you like the ground peanut nougat. I'm from Miami, and let me know if your mom sends you things from Cuba like mine does. Kisses and blessings,” the young woman concluded, encouraging other members of the diaspora to share their own experiences.