A young Cuban woman in Mexico has created a stir on TikTok after sharing her visit to the Medellín market in Mexico City, where she found typical Cuban products that she claims are no longer available on the island. “I am Cuban living in Mexico and, gentlemen, there is a market in Mexico City called Medellín, where you can find products, you know, from Cuba,” she explains at the beginning of the video, recorded among the aisles of the establishment.
During his journey, he showcased items that evoke nostalgia in many Cubans: “Look, malt, here it is, malt. Obviously, it’s my favorite,” he says, adding that he also found “Cristal beer, which I know many people like. Personally, I’m not a fan, but I know it’s highly acclaimed,” as well as Bucanero beer.
One of the moments that has resonated most with users is when it showcases a floor blanket: “Look at this, Cuban floor blanket, 80 pesos. I bought one. I'm going to take it home. I'm not going to use it for cleaning; I'm going to keep it there as a keepsake because it reminds me of the old times.”
The Cuban woman did not hide her astonishment at seeing more products: “If you thought this was little, they also sell La Llave coffee, and many others...”. As she continues walking, she exclaims: “They also sell H. Huppman, even Criollo. Right now there isn’t any, but they even have Populares. They have Cubita coffee, it costs a bit expensive, 300 pesos, but honestly, it’s worth it. No Cubita, but I did buy another one”.
But it was with the Serrano coffee that the excitement reached its peak: “Tell me, how long has it been since you last saw this coffee? Serrano coffee. Not even in Cuba. This is lost in Cuba. Well, everything I showed in Cuba is lost,” he stated.
A flood of reactions: praise, questions, and criticism
The responses to the video came quickly. Some Mexican and Cuban users abroad celebrated the finding. “The good thing is that you can actually buy it here,” commented one. Another said, “Just to show that there are Cuban things in Mexico that aren’t even available in Cuba.”
However, critical voices also emerged. “How is it that they sell products from Cuba when they say there’s no food in Cuba?” questioned a user. Another issued a warning filled with disdain: “It’s like a commercial for their kind to come and invade Mexico.”
There were also those who expressed tenderness or concern. “How great, I’m happy for you,” wrote a follower. Another person joked, “80 pesos... does it clean itself or what?” Some, for their part, focused on the prices: “The products are as expensive as they are in Cuba,” said one, while another added, “There are more products than in Cuba itself.”
A recurring phenomenon: Cuba in exile
This phenomenon of "encountering Cuba outside of Cuba" is not new. Last December, a Cuban resident in South Carolina visited a supermarket in Miami and could not hide her excitement upon seeing nougat, small cakes, packaged beans, lard, and blood sausage. “Oh my God, what delicious things are here! I took so many things that I needed, things that aren't available there,” she commented in her viral video, ending with the phrase: “Miami is Miami and everything else is green spaces.”
Another recent case took place in Austin, Texas, where the Cuban TikToker “El Huevito Mantilla” shared his discovery of products like sapitos, africanitas, and gaceñiga. “We Cubans have our products everywhere,” he said with laughter, and he didn't hesitate to share the address of the store to help other fellow countrymen.
These scenes reflect how nostalgia, humor, and scarcity intersect in the experiences of many Cubans in exile, who find an unexpected connection to their roots in foreign markets. Meanwhile, the paradox remains: outside of Cuba, Cuban products seem to be more available than on the island itself.
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