Since early March 2025, a wave of Canadian coffee shops began renaming the popular “Café Americano” to “Café Mexicano”, citing its origins and a symbolic gesture of solidarity with Mexico. The movement emerged in response to U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, which affected trade relations with both Canada and Mexico.
The rebranding began in British Columbia, where local cafés challenged the term “Americano,” arguing that the drink—hot water added to espresso—was not tied to U.S. coffee production, as the country does not grow coffee beans. Instead, they highlighted Mexico’s rich coffee-growing heritage, particularly in regions like Chiapas and Veracruz, as a more authentic source.
Some establishments also considered names like “Café de Olla” or “Café Azteca”, but ultimately settled on “Café Mexicano” to emphasize cultural pride and protest economic policies. The initiative quickly gained traction across Canada, with customers embracing the change as both a culinary and political statement.
While critics argue the name change is symbolic at best, supporters see it as a subtle act of resistance and a celebration of Mexican coffee culture. This practice has proven not to be temporary but rather lasting, as the “Café Mexicano” trend has become more and more popular across Canadian territory and has sparked conversation far beyond the espresso machine.
Source: La Hora
