Discover the rich heritage behind the timeless taste.
Latin Roots
Born in Spain, and consumed by wanderlust, Gregorio Bustelo spent time in many Latin American cities throughout his life, including Havana, Cuba. He ultimately settled in East Harlem, New York, alongside a diverse mix of many other Hispanic immigrants.
Sabor Único
While living in East Harlem, Gregorio used a secret blend of coffee beans to craft the rich, Latin flavors now recognized as Café Bustelo. This unique, espresso-style coffee would become a shared tradition among people of Cuban, Puerto Rican, Spanish and other Latin origins.
Bustelo Coffee Roasters
At first, Gregorio sold his hand-ground coffee out of his home. But by 1928, he had saved enough to realize his vision of running his own roaster. He opened a Bustelo Coffee Roasters storefront on 5th Avenue.
Community
Bustelo Coffee Roasters was one of the first coffee roasters that catered to all Hispanic communities. In the 1930s, Gregorio began selling Café Bustelo coffee to Latino-owned bodegas and independent supermarkets. He went door-to-door to build his business and maintained close friendships with owners.
Angelina
While his customers were falling in love with Café Bustelo coffee, Gregorio was falling in love with a woman named Angelina—who shared his passion for coffee. Born in Venezuela to Italian parents, Angelina had immigrated to New York City in 1927. The couple was married in 1933.
A Love That Lives On
Gregorio and Angelina were both dedicated to brewing high-quality, bold-tasting, espresso style coffee. Together, they grew the business, and their coffee grew to be loved far and wide. Distribution has expanded significantly over the years, and the original Café Bustelo coffee blend is still coveted to this day.
