Ariel Valdés Pinto, hailing from Mayajigua in Sancti Spíritus, is making waves in Tenerife with his sugarcane juice business. Using traditional methods, he cuts the cane with a machete to create his refreshing drink. Whether served plain or infused with flavors like lemon, mint, passion fruit, prickly pear (a superfood), and rum, his guarapo is a hit.
In videos shared on TikTok, this industrious Cuban farmer shows his process, cutting sugarcane at 7 p.m. to ensure it remains fresh for his market stall in Tacoronte, a town in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, located in the Canary Islands. "Friends and followers, here we are harvesting the cane to keep it fresh for the África market," he announces, displaying a large cane while deftly wielding his machete. "Take a look at this, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Look at the quality of this cane," he adds.
From Field to Market: The Journey of Fresh Guarapo
At the Lomo de la Vieja cane field in Tacoronte, Valdés Pinto selects from various cane types for his guarapo. One notable variety is the six-meter-long Cinta cane, excluding its leaves. Another is the softer Media Luna cane, which he offers for tasting while recording himself planting its "eyes" in the furrow. He explains that within a year, it'll be ready for harvest.
One of his followers from El Hierro in the Canary Islands reminisces that in Cuba, the biggest threat to the tender Media Luna cane was people eager to eat it because of its softness.
Valdés Pinto keeps his followers updated on the progress of his new Cinta cane crop. He shares that after a day at the marketplace, he goes straight to planting more cane. "Fifteen to eighteen hours of work daily. Success is not handed to you; it requires sacrifice," he tells his audience, embracing the effort with passion. "Everyone should pursue what they love," he asserts.
Cuban Entrepreneurs Abroad
Many Cubans venture into entrepreneurship after emigrating. In the United States, where a large Cuban expatriate community resides, the flavors of the island are well-received. However, in Spain, where Valdés Pinto lives, Cuban cuisine faces challenges due to its high-calorie content and unfamiliarity among Spaniards, who might hesitate to indulge frequently. Despite this, entrepreneurs like Alejandro Ramírez have established successful Cuban restaurants along the Costa Blanca in Alicante.
Valdés Pinto finds a more receptive market for his guarapo in the Canary Islands, where the beverage is already familiar. Although believed to have originated from the tropical coasts of Málaga and Granada, the Canarians cherish its taste and benefits.