Cuisine:

Ackee - The national fruit of Jamaica. This fruit was originally brought to Jamaica to be used in soap production. It is now a part of many Jamaican dishes. The taste of the fruit when prepared with saltfish resembles scrabbled eggs.

Ackee & Saltfish - A breakfast dish combining the flavors of fish and Ackee. This is the national dish of Jamaica. Cod is quite often used as the fish for this dish.

Allspice - Also known as jamaican pepper, allspice is a spicing powder made from crushing dried Pimenta berries. Allspice is one of the spices used in Jamaican Jerk cooking.

Blue Mountain Coffee - The coffee has a blue/green color and a intense aroma.

This coffee is known as the world’s most expensive coffee, Blue Mountain coffee must be grown 2000ft above sea level. This Jamaican coffee is grown in the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica and is 100% Arabica, these beans are a lot more flavorful, yet more difficult to cultivate since they prefer misty conditions all year round, hence the high location of the plantations.

There is a very strict Jamaican coffee board who controls the beans and designates the "Blue Mountain" labeling, akin to French Champagne or Cognac.

Calaloo - A caribbean dish served in Jamaica, Calaloo can be prepared with many different vegetables and most often contains a dark leafy vegetable very similar to spinach. Calaloo is often prepared with tomatoes and/or butter. It is considered very healthy and highly in demand for breakfast or as a side dish. Calaloo is also very important in Rastafarian: "ital"( salt-less, kosher type cuisine ) food.

Calaloo in other Caribbean islands means different things, from curry stews in Trinidad to soups in Grenada and ST.Lucia.

Chocho or Cho-Cho - A dish made with boiled chocho fruit. Chocho is a fruit the size of a average pear with one seed. This dish tastes quite unique and could be compared with boiled potatoes.

Conch - A snail shellfish served quite often in Jamaica. Conch are well known for their beautiful shells, and referenced in the Novel: Lord of The Flies.

Escovitch Fish - A method of preparing fish with lime and other spices then grilled in a pan. Snapper is often used as a excellent fish for this dish.

Gros Michel - (In French 'Big Mike') An exotic banana that grows in Jamaica, the flavor has a much more creamy taste than traditional Cavendish bananas exported to America and Europe. Interesting note: The Cavendish banana is named an ancestor of Adele Astaire: William George Spencer Cavendish the 6th Duke of Devonshire. Adele Astaire used to stay at Round Hill quite frequently and her real name was Lady Charles Cavendish.

Jerk - A Jamaican method of preparing meat and fish involving a variety of spices and seasoning.

Johnny Cakes - Small pancakes that are often deep-fried. Johnny Cakes are traditionally made with just simple flour and water and are considered a flatbread. They can be served with or without maple syrup. They are often eaten with Ackee and
Saltfish, or steamed Calaloo for breakfast( in place of regular bread ) or as
"Journey Cakes" when traveling ( hence the name ).

Mashed Provisions (FOOD) - A dish very similar to mashed potatoes. The dish consists of a combination of mashed vegetables. These can include the following : potatoes, turnips, yams and many other root vegetables.

Overproof Rum - Rum Liquor that has been distilled to contain more alcohol than traditional rums.

Oxtail - The tail from a bull, used in Jamaican stews.

Plantain - Plantains are bananas that are most often used for cooking, many Jamaican dishes use plantains. Plantains can be eaten raw, but are most often cooked or fried.

Rice and Peas - A traditional Jamaican staple dish of Rice and kidney beans, the dish actually contains no peas.

The "rice and peas" are cooked with coconut milk, ginger, scallion and a whole scotch bonnet pepper ( do not let it burst in the rice...too spicy ), which is removed afterwards.

The Jamaicans are very particular about their rice and peas and will rate someone's culinary skills by how well they can do this dish.

Salt Fish - A dried and salted cod fish, used in Ackee & Saltfish.

Scotch Bonnet - An extremely hot pepper used in Jamaican Cuisine. Scotch Bonnets are used in Jerk Seasoning to give a intense flavor. Scotch Bonnets are one of the hottest peppers in the world.