Cuban Guava Paste: The Dessert That Defines Cuba's Sweetness

On the Cuban table, there’s a dessert that transcends generations: guava paste (dulce de guayaba). That deep ruby-colored paste, firm to the touch yet melting in your mouth with an unmistakable tropical flavor, is much more than a simple sweet — it’s a piece of Cuba you can take anywhere in the world.

Guava: The Queen Fruit of the Caribbean

The guava (Psidium guajava) is a fruit native to tropical America that found ideal conditions to thrive in Cuba. The Taíno people consumed it before the Spanish arrival, and over time it became one of the island’s most beloved fruits.

What makes Cuban guava special is its penetrating aroma — capable of perfuming an entire room — and its flavor that perfectly balances sweetness with a hint of acidity. These characteristics intensify when transformed into paste, creating a product with its own unique personality.

From Fresh Fruit to Traditional Sweet

The production of guava paste is a process that has remained practically unchanged for centuries:

Essential Ingredients

• Ripe guava pulp — the heart of the sweet
• Sugar — in almost equal proportion to the fruit
• Citric acid — to preserve color and balance sweetness

The Artisanal Process

1. Selection: Ripe but firm guavas with intense aroma are chosen
2. Initial cooking: The fruit is boiled until soft
3. Straining: Skin and seeds are removed, keeping only the smooth pulp
4. Concentration: The pulp is cooked with sugar over low heat, stirring constantly
5. Perfect point: When the mixture pulls away from the pot bottom, it’s ready
6. Molding: Poured into molds and left to cool until solid

The result is a brilliant ruby-red paste with a firm yet flexible texture, capable of being cut into bars, squares, or any desired shape.

Guava with Cheese: The Perfect Pairing

There’s no combination more Cuban than guava paste with cream cheese. This pairing, known as “casamiento” (marriage) on the island, unites two opposite flavors that complement each other magically:

• Intense sweetness from the guava
• Salty creaminess from the cheese

Types of Cheese That Pair Well

Cheese	Characteristics	Experience
Cream cheese	Soft, spreadable	The Miami classic
Fresh white cheese	Firm, salty	Cuban tradition
Goat cheese	Tangy, intense	Gourmet version
Young Manchego	Medium flavor	Hispanic fusion

Temperature contrast also adds to the experience: room-temperature guava paste over cold cheese is a sensory delight.

The Guava Pastry: Icon of the Exile

In Miami and wherever Cubans reside, the guava pastry (pastelito de guayaba) became a symbol of identity. This puff pastry filled with guava paste — sometimes with cream cheese — is the inseparable companion of Cuban coffee.

Cuban cafeterias on Calle Ocho sell thousands of pastelitos daily, keeping alive a tradition that connects the diaspora to their roots.

Where to Buy Guava Paste

Recommended Brands

• Goya Guava Paste — Most accessible in supermarkets
• Conchita — Traditional Cuban-American brand
• La Fe — Smooth texture, ideal for pastries

Online Stores

• Cuban Food Market — Specialized in Cuban products
• Amazon — Variety of brands and sizes
• Walmart — Budget-friendly option

In Physical Stores

Look in the Hispanic/Latin section of supermarkets like Publix, Sedano’s, Winn-Dixie, Walmart, Target, or any store with international products. Usually found near Mexican sweets or jellies.

Beyond Dessert: Creative Uses

Guava paste isn’t limited to eating alone or with cheese:

• Meat glaze: Perfect with pork or chicken
• Cake filling: Adds moisture and tropical flavor
• With saltine crackers: The salty-sweet contrast works beautifully
• Sweet-sour sauce: Melted with a bit of vinegar
• Homemade ice cream: Perfect base for tropical flavor

Storage Tips

• Unopened: Lasts 12-18 months at room temperature
• Opened: Wrap in plastic and refrigerate (2-3 weeks)
• Frozen: Up to 6 months without losing texture
• Avoid: Direct heat exposure which can melt it

A Sweet That Unites Generations

Ask any Cuban about guava paste and watch their eyes light up with memories: grandmother cutting bars in the kitchen, after-school snacks, birthday pastelitos, Christmas with guava turrones.

It’s one of those products that transcends the gastronomic to become emotional heritage. Every bite tastes like Cuba, no matter how far from the island you may be.

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Do you have a favorite guava paste brand or a special recipe? Share your family tradition in the comments.