A Taste of Jamaica:
A Guide to Jamaican Food

Introduction

Visit Jamaica and you will get caught up in the taste of the island: the burn of the peppery jerk, the slickness of cold coconut jelly, the richness of a truly world-class cup of coffee.

In a decade of travel to Jamaica, we've enjoyed meals that span the dining spectrum: jerk from roadside stands, patties from small town bakeries, shrimp from side-of-the-road vendors, home cooking from some of the island's best chefs, and gourmet meals that could hold their own in New York or Paris.

Dining in Jamaica is more than nutrition: it's part of the whole vacation experience. Breakfast can start with a taste of one of the world's best coffees, grown right on the island. Lunch might mean a chance to get out and meet island residents who prepare a savory roadside dish in a manner perfected by the Caribbean's first inhabitants centuries ago. And dinner is far more than just the day's final meal, it's the evening's entertainment.

Contents:

History of Jamaican Foods

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Jamaican Spices

Alcoholic Drinks

Substitution Chart

Recipe Index: Jamaican Dishes