Celebrating Boricua Pride: The 2025 Puerto Rican Day Parade NYC and 787 Coffee's Journey from the Mountains to the World
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Una cafecito, una bandera, una sonrisa a la vez – one coffee, one flag, one smile at a time.
Puerto Rican Parade 2025
The Heartbeat of NYC: Puerto Rican Day Parade 2025
Today, Sunday, June 8th, 2025, the streets of Manhattan come alive with the thunderous beat of bomba drums, the vibrant red, white, and blue of countless Puerto Rican flags, and the infectious energy of over one million spectators celebrating the 68th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade. The parade starts at around 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, in midtown Manhattan. The parade route starts on Fifth Avenue at 44th Street and marches north to 79th, transforming New York's most iconic boulevard into a river of Puerto Rican pride and culture.
This year's theme, "Plantando Bandera" (Planting Flag), captures the Puerto Rican community's collective sentiment of pride in our presence, our contributions to society and dedication to honoring and maintaining our cultural heritage and tradition. Just like the roots of the ceiba tree featured in this year's design, Puerto Rican culture has planted deep roots across the globe – from the mountains of Puerto Rico to the coffee shops of New York City.
At 787 Coffee, we embody this very spirit. Born in the lush mountains of Puerto Rico and evolving to take our company to the world, we understand what it means to plant our flag while honoring our heritage. Every cup we serve carries the essence of our island home, connecting the Puerto Rican diaspora to their roots through the universal language of exceptional coffee.
A Rich History: Puerto Rico's Deep Roots in New York City
The first Puerto Rican Day Parade was held on Sunday, April 13, 1958, in Manhattan, replacing the former Hispanic Day Parade. What began as a small celebration has grown into one of the largest parades in the United States, with nearly four million spectators annually by 2007. Today, organizers expect more than 1 million spectators and participants for this year's celebration.
The Puerto Rican migration to New York tells a powerful story of resilience and cultural preservation. The largest wave of migration to New York came in the 1950s in what became known as "The Great Migration" with the advent of affordable air travel. For $52.50, one could take an 11pm night coach to New York City. In 1953, Puerto Rican migration to New York reached its peak when 75,000 people left the island. By 1960, the United States census showed that there were well over 600,000 New Yorkers of Puerto Rican birth or parentage.
These brave migrants didn't just bring their hopes and dreams – they brought their culture, their music, their food, and yes, their love for exceptional coffee. Puerto Ricans began to form their own small "barrios", in The Bronx, Brooklyn, and in East Harlem (which would become known as Spanish Harlem). It was in East Harlem where the Puerto Rican migrants established a cultural life of great vitality and sociality.
🇵🇷Puerto Rican Day Parade NYC 2025
(44th to 79th Street)
The Cultural Tapestry: Music, Dance, and Tradition
Music That Moves the Soul
Puerto Rican culture is inseparable from its music, and today's parade showcases this rich musical heritage. Following the in migration of large numbers of Puerto Ricans to New York in the 1950s, folk style jibaro, bomba, and plena music became part of the cultural fabric of East Harlem (El Barrio) and the South Bronx.
Bomba, one of Puerto Rico's most traditional musical forms, is marked by the use of three instruments: maracas (a hand percussion instrument), cuá (wooden sticks), and bomba barrels (large drums). Bomba is a rhythmic dialogue in which the drummer challenges the dancer to a duel and the dancer challenges the barrel to keep up with them. This powerful art form represents the African roots of Puerto Rican culture and serves as a form of resistance and celebration.
Plena, known as the "newspaper of the people," has Spanish, African, and Caribbean instrumental influences that include: panderos (hand drums) which originated from Africa, cuatro (small guitar) which emerged from the guitars brought by Spanish conquistadores, güiro (gourd) which is thought to have been invented by the Taínos, and brass instruments such as the trumpet and saxophone.
The Flavors of Home: Puerto Rican Cuisine in NYC
The parade isn't just a feast for the eyes and ears – it's a celebration of Puerto Rican gastronomy. Traditional foods like mofongo, lechón, pasteles, and alcapurrias line the parade route, bringing authentic island flavors to Manhattan's streets. Lechonera La Piraña is a trailer known for the best Puerto Rican lechon (roast pork) in NYC. He made the New York Times 2024 top 100 restaurant list.
But perhaps no flavor is more central to Puerto Rican culture than café. Coffee has been cultivated in Puerto Rico since 1736, and the tradition of sharing a strong, aromatic cup of coffee – un cafecito – is woven into the fabric of Puerto Rican social life.
787 Coffee: From Puerto Rico's Mountains to NYC's Best Coffee Shops
Our Story: Rooted in Tradition, Growing Worldwide
At 787 Coffee, we're more than just a coffee company – we're cultural ambassadors carrying the rich heritage of Puerto Rican coffee to the world. Our journey began in the mountains of Puerto Rico, where some of the world's finest coffee beans have been cultivated for nearly three centuries.
Puerto Rico's rich coffee history began in 1736 with a pivotal introduction: Gabriel Mathieu de Clieu, a Frenchman, bravely transported a single coffee seedling all the way from the prestigious Royal Botanical Gardens in Paris. From that single seedling grew an industry that would define Puerto Rico's agricultural heritage. In the early 20th Century, Puerto Rican Coffee, was served in official state dinners at the White House, by the devout coffee lover, USA President, Theodore Roosevelt, who termed it as "Grand".
Today, we continue this legacy of excellence. At 787 Coffee, we know good things come to those who put in the work. That's why all of our coffee beans are sustainably grown from our coffee farm in Puerto Rico, neighboring coffee farms and in selected coffee shops, specialty coffee farms from Mexico roasted weekly.
NYC's Premier Puerto Rican Coffee Experience
We've brought authentic Puerto Rican coffee culture to New York City with multiple locations across Manhattan. Visit our locations in Wall Street, chelsea, east village, west village, upper east side coffee shops, sutton place, coffee shops in NYC - for freshly roasted coffee. Our East Village location at 131 E. 7th Street holds special significance as November 2018 we reopened our first coffee shop there.
Today we have 25 Coffee Shops, 1 coffee farm in Puerto Rico and we collaborate with local farmers in Puerto Rico and in Mexico and Colombia. Each cup we serve is a bridge between the mountains where our coffee grows and the bustling streets of New York where our community thrives.
Why Today Matters: Puerto Rican Pride and Cultural Preservation
More Than a Parade: A Statement of Identity
The Puerto Rican Day Parade serves as a powerful reminder of the Boricua community's contributions to American society. An estimated 1,800,000 Nuyoricans are said to live in New York City, the largest Puerto Rican community outside Puerto Rico. This massive gathering is more than celebration – it's a declaration of cultural identity and pride.
For instance along with African Americans, Puerto Ricans have had a major influence on popular genres of music such as Hip-Hop, which is a genre of music originating out of the inner city neighborhoods of New York. From music to food, from literature to business, Puerto Ricans have helped shape the cultural landscape of New York City.
2025 Honorees: Celebrating Excellence
This year's parade honors extraordinary Puerto Rican talent, including Six-time Grammy winner, Olga Tañón, honored as queen of the 2025 Parade celebration. Acclaimed film and television actor, Luis Guzmán will be joining Tañón in leading the parade procession as the parade's king. Also honored are Golden Globe Award-winning actress, Gina Rodríguez, will be honored as this year's Madrina (Godmother). Honored as Padrino (Godfather) of this year's Parade is Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning artist, Elvis Crespo, and Unified Featherweight World Champion, Amanda "The Real Deal" Serrano.
Be a CAFFEINATED HUMAN.
Be a creative human. Be a good human.
☕ Puerto Rican Coffee Culture & 787 Coffee Journey
The Global Coffee Connection: Why Puerto Rican Coffee Matters
World-Class Quality from a Small Island
Puerto Rico may be small, but its coffee punches above its weight. Puerto Rican coffee replaced Jamaican Blue Mountain in much of the market in Japan, after its coffee production was crippled due to hurricane damage. It has remained as a preference to once Jamaican clients and it is currently served in many of the finest restaurants of Japan.
In the Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Haiti & the Dominican Republic, coffee is typically grown at altitudes ranging from 1000 to 3500 ft. and higher. It is processed by the traditional 24 hr wet fermentation, wash & 5 to 7 day sun drying method. This meticulous process creates the distinctive flavor profile that makes Puerto Rican coffee so sought after.
Sustainable Farming, Exceptional Results
At 787 Coffee, sustainability isn't just a buzzword – it's our commitment to the future of Puerto Rican coffee. We work directly with farmers across Puerto Rico's coffee regions, from Yauco to Jayuya, ensuring fair wages and sustainable farming practices that protect both the environment and the livelihoods of coffee farmers.
Our single-origin Puerto Rican coffee represents the pinnacle of island coffee cultivation, featuring bright acidity, rich body, and the subtle chocolate notes that have made Puerto Rican coffee famous worldwide.
Finding the Best Coffee in NYC: Why 787 Coffee Stands Out
More Than Just Coffee Shops – Cultural Hubs
When you search for the "best coffee shops in NYC" or "Puerto Rican coffee near me," 787 Coffee offers something unique: authenticity combined with excellence. Our cafés aren't just places to grab a quick cup – they're cultural spaces where the Puerto Rican diaspora can connect with their heritage and where coffee lovers can experience the true depth of Caribbean coffee culture.
Premium Coffee Beans Online
Can't make it to our NYC locations? Our online coffee subscription brings Puerto Rico's finest coffee directly to your door. Whether you're looking for our signature 787 Blend, single-origin Puerto Rican beans, or our collaborative roasts from Mexico and Colombia, we deliver freshly roasted coffee nationwide.
Popular searches that lead coffee lovers to us:
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Join the Celebration: Una Cafecito, Una Bandera, Una Sonrisa a la Vez
Today's Parade: Where and When
The 2025 National Puerto Rican Day Parade starts at around 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, in midtown Manhattan. The parade route starts on Fifth Avenue at 44th Street and marches north to 79th. Whether you're watching in person or streaming live, this celebration represents the vibrant spirit of Puerto Rican culture.
Visit 787 Coffee After the Parade
After experiencing the energy of the parade, stop by any of our NYC locations to continue the celebration with an authentic cafecito. Our baristas, many of whom are part of the Puerto Rican community, will be happy to share stories about our coffee's journey from the mountains of Puerto Rico to your cup.
Our NYC Locations:
East Village: 131 E. 7th Street
West Village: Multiple locations
Chelsea: Heart of Manhattan
Wall Street: Financial District
Upper East Side: Uptown elegance
Sutton Place: East Side sophistication
The Future: Taking Puerto Rican Coffee Global
Our Mission: Cultural Preservation Through Coffee
As we watch today's parade celebration of Puerto Rican heritage, we're reminded of our mission at 787 Coffee: to honor our roots while reaching new heights. The theme captures the Puerto Rican community's collective sentiment of pride in our presence, our contributions to society and dedication to honoring and maintaining our cultural heritage and tradition.
Every cup of 787 Coffee is a small act of cultural preservation – a way to keep Puerto Rican traditions alive in an increasingly globalized world. When you choose our coffee, you're not just choosing exceptional quality; you're supporting Puerto Rican farmers, preserving coffee cultivation traditions, and participating in a story that spans from the Spanish colonial period to today's thriving diaspora community.
Order Online: Taste Puerto Rico Wherever You Are
Ready to experience Puerto Rico's finest coffee? Visit 787coffee.com to explore our full selection of premium Puerto Rican coffee beans, coffee subscriptions, and brewing accessories. We ship nationwide, bringing the authentic taste of Puerto Rican coffee culture to coffee lovers everywhere.
Why Choose 787 Coffee:
Farm-to-Cup Quality: Direct relationships with Puerto Rican coffee farmers
Sustainable Practices: Environmentally responsible farming and roasting
Cultural Authenticity: Genuine Puerto Rican coffee heritage
Multiple Locations: Convenient NYC coffee shops across Manhattan
Online Convenience: Fresh coffee delivered to your door
Community Support: Supporting Puerto Rican farmers and culture
¡Que Viva Puerto Rico! Today, as flags wave and drums beat along Fifth Avenue, we celebrate not just a parade, but the enduring spirit of a people who have enriched America while maintaining their unique cultural identity. At 787 Coffee, we're proud to be part of this story – una cafecito, una bandera, una sonrisa a la vez.
Visit us online at 787coffee.com or stop by any of our NYC locations to taste the difference that authentic Puerto Rican coffee makes. Because great coffee, like great culture, is meant to be shared.
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