Jamaican food facts
Sugar cane 
Sugar cane peeled and cut - Originally grown in Southeast Asia.
- Brought by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the new world.
- Mostly grown on flat lands.
- Takes 11-18 months from planting to reaping.
Pimento 
Also known as allspice.Key ingredient in jerk sauce. Discovered in Jamaica by Spanish explorers in 1509. Originated from the Spanish word "pimienta" (pepper or peppercorn).Reaping possible 3-5 years after planting.Ackee 
Came to Jamaica from West Africa during the 18th century. Scientific name, blighia sapida, named after Captain Bligh, who took the plant to Kew Botanical Gardens, South London for research in 1793. Never force open an ackee pod as it is poisonous.Let it open naturally. Planting to reaping takes 4 years. Breadfruit 
Introduced to Jamaica from its native Tahiti in 1793 by Captain William Bligh to provide food for slaves to alleviate periods of famine.From planting to reaping 5 years.Banana  Banana plants first came to Jamaica from the Indo-Malaysian peninsula.First planted in Jamaica in 1625. Can be reaped within 10-15 months of planting.Callaloo 
Resembles spinach.Thought to have its origin in South America.came to Jamaica from as early as 1752. From planting to reaping takes 6-8 weeks.
Cassava 
Used to make bammies. Tainos used Jamaican it as a staple part of their diet. First grown in Brazil and Paraguay.It is not to be eaten raw because the root is poisonous. From planting to reaping takes 6-10 months.Coconuts 
the scientific name is Cocos nucifera. From planting to reaping takes 5-6 years. Pineapple 
First Jamaican pineapple fruits were brought to the islands about 1886 from Guyana.Favorite food of the Carib Indians. From planting to reaping takes 9 months to a year.Mango 
Scientific name: Mangifera indica. Native to southern Asia.From planting to reaping takes 7 years. Coffee 
Roasted coffee beans Indigenous to Ethiopia and not Arabia as widely thought.First grown in Jamaica in 1728 at Temple Hall by Sir Nicholas Lawes, the then Governor of Jamaica.From planting to reaping takes 3 to 4 years.Sorrel 
Comes from the roselle plantScientific name: Hibiscus sabdariffaNative to West AfricaBrought to Jamaica in the early 1600’s by French and English settlers roselle Makes a delicious drink mostly consumed at ChristmasFrom planting to reaping takes 6-9 weeks
Gungo peas 
Originally known as pigeon peasThought to have been originally planted in Asia three thousand years agoCame to Jamaica from West AfricaUsed to make rice and peas and to make soupFrom planting to reaping takes 5-11 months
Ortaniques 
A cross between and orange and a tangerineThe name is a combination of "orange", "tangerine" and "unique"First created in Jamaica by Charles Jackson in the early 20th century
Scotch bonnet peppers 
Scientific name: Capsicum chinenseOriginally grown in South AmericaThe name "scotch" was given to the pepper because it resembles Scottish headwear (tam 'o shanter)Over 200 varietiesVital ingredient in making jerk sauceFrom planting to reaping takes about 6-9 weeks |
