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Creativity in Cuba: Brewing Coffee with a Candle Amid Power Outages

Thursday, October 17, 2024 by Aaron Delgado

Facing challenges with creativity! The resourcefulness of Cubans knows no bounds, especially when it comes to tackling the persistent power outages plaguing Cuba. The inventive spirit of the island's residents continues to amaze, and recently, a Cuban woman has become a TikTok sensation by showcasing her clever solution for brewing coffee without electricity.

Marubeni Somoza, known as @marubeni.somoza on TikTok, shared a video that quickly went viral, amassing over 1.7 million views and attracting comments from around the globe. In her video, she demonstrates how she managed to make coffee using a candle and two knives. "When there's no power, you have to improvise," she declared. And indeed, she improvised brilliantly.

The responses were swift and filled with admiration: "She's part of Team Cuba! Only we come up with the most inventive ideas in the face of problems. We can't go without our coffee, and that's non-negotiable," one user expressed, while another chimed in, "Without coffee, never. Regards: a Cuban."

These comments highlight how Cubans, both on the island and abroad, resonate with such creative solutions during tough times. Phrases like "Only Cubans understand the coffee necessity," "No power, no gas, but I'll never be without coffee," and "Cubans always find a way," are just a few of the messages accompanying the video.

Interestingly, even people outside Cuba shared similar experiences. One person related, "I did the same when I lost electricity due to Hurricane Milton," while another reminisced, "I have done something similar since Hurricane Hugo in 1989."

The shared love for a good cup of coffee seems to unite everyone, even in the harshest situations. Additional comments revealed more inventive ways to make coffee during power outages. "My dad lives in Naples, went two days without electricity due to a hurricane, and he made coffee with a handheld blowtorch, the kind used for work," one shared. Another added, "We made coffee on the BBQ."

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