My family originated from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico where coffee is served using a Greca. A Greca is a stovetop espresso maker and is used in many Puerto Rican households, although it was originally invented in Italy in 1933 by Alfonso Bialetti. In Puerto Rico, families adopted the Greca as the everyday way of making strong coffee, and over time it became a household staple. The Greca represents daily routine, family bonding around a table and reflects traditions that have traveled across generations because many others, including myself, still use them in our kitchens today. My grandmother left Mayaguez, Puerto Rico when my mother was a child. This was in the late 60’s early 70’s. She wanted to give my mother a better life. My grandmother and mother migrated and settled in New York. Leaving Puerto Rico, but not the culture that followed them. She brought the warmth and taste of home in the form of the Greca. It could be any time of day, she would brew cafe con leche, which filled the house with an aroma that reminded her of her island roots.  The Greca is more than just a coffee pot; to me, it symbolizes the strength of traditions, family, resilience and keeping my heritage alive. 

– NC

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant