| The flavors of Jamaica are the product of the island's | | | | Few other cuisines mix such a range of spices and |
| history combined with a verdant, lush climate. The | | | | tastes - sweet, hot and savory - as Jamaican cooking. |
| Spanish, British, African and East Indian have all had an | | | | Jamaican food wouldn't be the same without the |
| influence over what is today a unique island cuisine | | | | spices, seasonings and colors from: Allspice, the |
| made colorful by the many tropical fruits that thrive | | | | pimento berry. |
| here. | | | | Among many of the spices grown in Jamaica are |
| The waters off Jamaica have always teemed with | | | | nutmeg, ginger, thyme, scotch bonnet peppers, which |
| fish and seafood is the primary protein source for | | | | are integral distinct flavors of Jamaican cooking. The |
| islanders. Snapper, grouper, sea bass and other reef a | | | | pungent thyme grows rampantly on the island and is |
| deep sea fish are caught daily by the many fishermen | | | | found in the majority of Jamaican foods. |
| whose boats line the beaches. Spiny lobster, shrimp | | | | Favourite Jamaican foods are those for coconut cake, |
| and freshwater crustaceans are readily available and | | | | rum punch & beef jerky recipies. |
| cooked usually in a thick sauce. Chicken and goats are | | | | Real Jamaican food, when cooked with feeling, is a |
| well suited to the small mountainous island and are | | | | soul-satisfying experience. |
| kept by many families but cattle are rare and beef is | | | | For further tips and ideas for cooking great and |
| not the predominant meat. | | | | traditional food from around the world, visit Jamaican |
| Many of Jamaica's fruits, including pineapple, mango, | | | | Recipes |
| banana and avocado were brought to the region by | | | | This article was submitted by Jen Carter, owner of the |
| slave traders and plantation owners experimenting | | | | World Recipes website. |
| with crops. What were once sugar cane fields are | | | | Jen has travelled around the world and enjoys |
| now being used to grow fruits and ackee for export | | | | collecting and sharing recipes from other countries. |
| and domestic use. | | | | |