![]() Both sat at the heart of Jamaica’s plantations and featured difficult terrain. Stories of people who escaped from plantations were not uncommon, with many fleeing to the Blue Mountains in the east or Cockpit Country in the west. When it comes to the smoky aroma and succulent falls-straight-off-the-bone texture of jerk, you’ll find those elements were added later during a chapter of Jamaica’s history, which arguably had the biggest impact on its culture. While the basic form of jerking likely pre-dates the Taino’s move into Jamaica’s mountainous interiors, the very act of this migration is what set the wheels in motion for its eventual evolution into the world-famous Jamaican jerk of today. This all helped to preserve it, a necessity somewhere as hot and humid as the Caribbean. The Taino are believed to have had a long tradition of rubbing meat in salt, slow cooking it over an open fire, or drying it out in the sun. What was left of Jamaica’s native population fled to what we now call the Blue Mountains (famous for its coffee) and it’s this small group that we have to thank for the bare bones of jerk cooking. Tragically, within 30 years, their numbers were drastically diminished due to things like disease and enslavement by the recently arrived Spanish. While they’re understood to originate from the Amazon Basin or the Andes, depending on which scholar you speak to, many Taino had migrated to the Caribbean by the end of the 15th century. Prior to Jamaica’s colonialization, the small island was home to the indigenous Taino (also known as the Arawak). It is very important it has been a tradition long before Columbus ‘discovered’ Jamaica.” “The history of jerk preparation is taught in our schools. In its purest (and tastiest) form, jerk represents a union of two major influences in Jamaica’s long-and often tragic-road to freedom. Nevertheless, pouring a little spice over a barbecuing chicken is a poor substitute for the real thing, found sizzling away in steel pans in sunny Jamaica. You’ve likely spotted bottles of jerk sauce in your local supermarket before. It’s also a country with a strong sense of identity–and this definitely extends to its culinary delights. A must-try for meat-eaters, you’ll find it on many island menus, although its roots undeniably lie in Jamaica.Ī nation that was both scorched and birthed from colonialism and slavery, 21st century Jamaica is largely associated with sun-soaked beach breaks and laid-back vibes. Piquant and peppery, the flavor–and, indeed, the scent–of jerk is unmistakable. Delve beneath the deliciousness, though, and you’ll often discover some truly intriguing tales.Ī dish that definitely falls into this category is one synonymous with Caribbean cuisine. It’s easy to visit a new country (or return to one you love) without giving a second thought to how its gastronomy came to be. ![]()
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