Top Foods to Try in Jamaica

One of your next travel destinations may be the Caribbean island of Jamaica. It might be one of the stops on your next Caribbean cruise, or maybe you're just setting out to enjoy one of Jamaica's beaches. If you're planning on going there, you may have sand, sun, reggae, and rum on the mind, but don't forget about food! You may have been drawn in by the song that says "Come to Jamaica and feel alright," but at some point, you're also going to feel hungry. Be a little adventurous and experience a bit of Jamaican culture by trying one of their culinary delights.

Here is a list of top foods to try to while in Jamaica.

Ackee and Saltfish

This is a must try, as its Jamaica's national dish. Ackee is an African fruit that can be poisonous if not cooked properly, but absolutely delicious if cooked just right. It has a buttery-nutty flavor. This fruit is sautéed along with saltfish (salt-cured cod), onions and tomatoes. It is often served with boiled bananas, dumplings or roast breadfruit.

Jamaican Beef Patty and Coco Bread

You may have tried one of these in America, but it would be a shame to miss out on an original. This delight is like a meat turnover and it is full of flavor. On the outside is a flaky crust. On the inside, you can fill it with a variety of options. The most common is beef, but you can also get chicken, shrimp, lobster or fish. This dish is often paired with coco bread, a starchy and lightly sweet bread is made with coconut milk. A Jamaican beef patty can be placed inside this bread to make into a tasty sandwhich.

Jerk Chicken

This is another dish that is popular in the US, especially in Jamaican-American restaurants, but you should also give it a try in its native land. Jerking is a process dry-rubbing or marinating meat in Jamaican jerk spice. This spice is a blend of seasonings that include black pepper, clove, bay leaf, garlic, scallion, pimento, thyme, ginger and Scotch bonnet pepper. This combination used on chicken creates a spicy and flavorful meal. You can opt for other meat variations, but chicken is most popular.

Curry Chicken or Goat

Although curry is used in a lot of South Asian cuisine, especially Indian, it is also a popular spice used in some Jamaican dishes. Curried goat is a popular dish served at parties. It is a tradition to eat it during important family events or functions. Jamaican families often raise goats to save for a special occasion like a holiday or a funeral to be served to guests. However, it can also be made with chicken meat. This dish is almost always served with rice and peas. It can also be served with coconut or raisins for a sweeter option.

Roast breadfruit

Breadfruit is a starchy fruit, similar to a potato, making some think that it's more like a vegetable. It is said to have a bland or bread-like taste, but it soaks up spices well. It can be mixed with coconut milk, butter or sugar, and it is cooked under an open fire. With these added flavors, it can make a nice side dish or even a meal, when combined with other vegetables.