A video circulating on social media shows the process of extracting corojo oil, a substance historically used in Cuba during times of severe shortages. The footage highlights the dire economic situation currently gripping the nation.
In Cuba, oil derived from the fruit of the corojo palm has traditionally been used in natural cosmetics and religious rituals. However, its use in cooking has become more frequent during periods of extreme economic hardship and scarcity.
"What Cubans have to do to cook with corojo palm oil," noted a TikTok profile named Cuba sin filtros (@cubasinfiltros). The video demonstrates the extraction process, showing an elderly man patiently breaking the fruits to obtain the inner nut.
Another person explained that the viscous liquid is used for cooking "because here in Cuba, there is no oil," she pointed out. The woman who created the video also displayed the machine used to grind the seeds, noting that the byproducts are used for animal feed.
The oil is employed both for consumption and for sale, as a means of making a living, she added. In times of scarcity, Cubans resort to "invention."
Necessity Breeds Creativity
The creativity of Cubans knows no bounds, especially when it comes to the most consumed beverage in the Caribbean nation after water: coffee. Activist Irma Broek shared a video on Facebook showing a man brewing coffee with a blowtorch: "Here we are trying to brew coffee because we have no electricity, no gas, nothing."
Recently, a Cuban revealed on social media that residents of rural areas in the Holguín province use an "invention" made from a pressure cooker lid as an antenna to improve internet connectivity.
An internet user described on the "Holguín en fotos" Facebook profile that upon arriving in the town of Bariay, in the municipality of Rafael Freyre, he saw many houses with what looked like a strange television antenna on the outside.
Understanding the Impact of Corojo Oil Usage in Cuba
In light of the severe economic situation in Cuba, many are turning to traditional and inventive methods to cope. Here are some common questions about the use of corojo oil and other ingenious solutions.
What is corojo oil traditionally used for in Cuba?
Corojo oil has traditionally been used in natural cosmetics and religious rituals in Cuba.
Why are Cubans using corojo oil for cooking now?
Due to severe shortages and economic hardship, Cubans are turning to corojo oil as an alternative cooking oil.
How are Cubans brewing coffee without electricity or gas?
Some Cubans are using inventive methods, such as a blowtorch, to brew coffee in the absence of electricity or gas.
What inventive method are rural Cubans using to improve internet connectivity?
Residents in rural areas of Holguín are using a pressure cooker lid as a makeshift antenna to enhance their internet connectivity.