In the city of Holguín, a resourceful young Cuban entrepreneur has devised a clever way to earn a living amidst the ongoing crisis and frequent power outages: she crafts homemade popsicles, known locally as "durofríos," using molds made from recycled beer cans.
Content creator @arteshada__ shared a video detailing her entire artisanal process. She begins by washing and cutting the cans, transforming them into makeshift molds.
Next, she concocts the mixture using fresh water, or she makes ice pop versions with boiled rice water, adding flavored powdered drinks for taste and color.
“I make them with rice water; you boil a cup of rice in six cups of water, let it rest, and then strain it. You use that water for the durofrío. They turn out much better than with cornstarch,” she proudly explains.
Each popsicle is sold for 25 pesos, a price that would have been unthinkable five years ago but is considered "cheap" today, allowing her to “make some money” amidst the challenging economic conditions in the country.
The young woman acknowledges that the prolonged power outages in Holguín complicate her business, yet she perseveres against all odds. Her story has gone viral, serving as a testament to ingenuity in the face of scarcity and daily adversities in Cuba.
Overcoming Economic Challenges in Cuba
How does the entrepreneur make the durofríos?
She uses recycled beer cans as molds, fills them with a mixture of boiled rice water and flavored powdered drinks for taste and color.
What challenges does she face in her business?
The frequent and prolonged power outages in Holguín make it difficult to maintain her production, yet she continues to innovate and persevere.
Why is her story significant in Cuba?
Her story exemplifies the resilience and creativity of Cubans amidst economic difficulties and is a viral example of overcoming daily adversities.