A Cuban woman, known on TikTok as @guajira_natural, ignited a culinary debate on social media by posting a one-minute video detailing the step-by-step process of crafting the traditional guava paste in Cuba.
The video has garnered over 131,500 views, 6,835 likes, and has been shared 759 times, highlighting public interest in traditional Cuban recipes at a time when these sweets have become increasingly difficult and expensive to obtain.
In the video, the creator explains that the process begins with washing and dicing the guava, which is then passed through a manual grinder with a splash of water. "Now we move on to our most modern machine, the guava grinder," she quips. The mixture is cooked with sugar until it thickens and turns a golden hue. Then comes the most demanding part: stirring it constantly, which can take up to two hours.
"Get ready to sweat, my dear, because the steam here makes it a scorching sauna," the creator jokes, before revealing the secret to the final product: "The key is adding lemon juice while stirring; that's the difference between guava pulp and the paste, that's where the consistency comes from."
Once ready, the hot mixture is poured into wooden molds until it solidifies. The creator ends the video with a question to her followers: "What would you like to eat this delicious guava paste with? For me, it's a piece of cheese."
The post sparked mixed reactions. While many users expressed nostalgia for the traditional process and admiration for the result, others directly questioned the hygienic conditions of the setting. "Very dirty, that's inedible," one commenter wrote. Another added sarcastically, "If it doesn't have protein from bugs, I don't want it." A third asked, "Can't they clean it a little?"
This kind of debate is common in Cuban cooking videos shared on social media, where the celebration of popular gastronomy coexists with the exposure of the precarious conditions in which some products are made.
The video takes on an added dimension when considering the island's economic context. Guava paste was sold for 600 Cuban pesos in Matanzas last August, representing nearly 20% of the minimum monthly wage of 3,210 pesos, in effect since July 2026. In this scenario, homemade production is not just a cultural tradition but also an alternative amid scarcity and high prices.
The cost of traditional sweets has outraged Cubans in recent months, with pineapple cakes exceeding 9,650 pesos and portions of sweets ranging from 790 to 980 pesos, according to August 2026 reports.
Inflation in Cuba could be around 25% this year, according to estimates by the Cuban Economy Studies Center. In this context, homemade recipes shared on social media also become a practical alternative for crafting traditional products that are increasingly expensive in the Cuban market.
Understanding the Economic Impact on Cuban Sweets
Why is guava paste so expensive in Cuba?
Guava paste is costly due to economic challenges in Cuba, including high inflation and scarcity of ingredients, which drive up production and retail prices.
How do homemade sweets provide an alternative in Cuba?
Homemade sweets offer a cost-effective alternative to expensive store-bought options, allowing Cubans to enjoy traditional treats despite economic hardships.
What are the common criticisms of homemade food videos from Cuba?
Critics often point out the lack of hygiene and the rudimentary conditions in which these foods are prepared, questioning their safety for consumption.