1 Seasoning and spice
Jamaican food is all about flavour and balance, and seasoning. Our food has layers and that’s something I really love about it. Our soils enrich our produce in a way that’s unique. Spices like pimento, scallion, thyme, ginger, cloves and more combine to elevate the flavours, and add Jamaican character to dishes. Heat from scotch bonnet chillies is optional but popular.
2 Cooking over wood and coals
Barrel barbecues are everywhere in Jamaica. Traditionally cooked in old oil drums over pimento wood, modern pan chicken still retains its smoky character and charm. The chicken is marinated in jerk rub or traditional spice blends before being slow-cooked over coals, and remains a firm favourite as street food as much as in restaurants.
