A Peek Into Jamaican Foods

By Annabelle Lesley


A general look into its rich and different past gives people an idea of just how Jamaican cuisine has been able to become such a unique blend of ethnicities. The beginnings of Jamaican cuisine can be traced back in time to the peace-loving Arawak Indians, who referred to their exotic paradise Xaymaca, or "the Land of Wood and Water".

These people were believed to be one of the primary individuals who barbecued their food, that involves grilling various meats over wood, giving the meat an extra smoky flavour from the wood.

However, the influence of the local people had been restricted to the belief that the Spanish took over the island and also enslaved the locals during the early sixteenth century. Even so, along with the oppressors, came a new choice of recipes, the most popular of which incorporated the vinegary escovitched fish created by the Spanish Jews.

As the native populace started to diminish in volumes due to the severe ways of slavery, the Spanish began to import African slaves to enhance their labor force. The African-american eating habits played a major role in shaping Jamaican food, several of the common ingredients were created by the African slaves, including okra, ackee, saltfish, mangoes, and yams.

In reality, the most well-known Jamaican food, jerk, originated from the Western African Coromantee Tribe. Jerking entails marinating various meats including chicken, beef, seafood etc. in a spicy concoction made from pimento, pepper, thyme, cinnamon, brown sugar, fresh lemon juice, onions, red pepper cayenne, and soy sauce, then barbecuing it slowly and gradually.

In 1655, the English acquired the land from the Spanish, carrying with them typical English meals. One combination meal that remains well-liked right up until this day is the Jamaican patty, which is a turnover using a hot and spicy meat filling.

But that is not the only influence which the English applied to Jamaican food items. In the early nineteenth century, slavery was abolished, requiring the transfer of indentured servants from China and also Eastern India.

Chinese People brought with them rice, mustard and chili peppers, which makes Jamaican food stand out even within the Caribbean. The Indians, however, introduced their well-known curry spices or herbs and the charming notion that almost everything could be curried. Goat curry is a particularly quirky curry that is certainly popular in Jamaica, and you can find all kinds of other curried meats as well.




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