The last 600 years have seen the Caribbean change from a remote location populated by hunter-gatherer tribes to a Spanish colony, prime sugar producer, playground of European buccaneers and refuge for emancipated slaves. Thanks to this complex heritage, the contested Caribbean has a rich contemporary culture influenced by traditions, beliefs and languages from across the globe.
Introducing Caribbean cuisine
This diversity is apparent in its unique cuisine which varies from island to island. Indigenous practices are evident in the use of cassava and sweet potatoes, now flavoured with African spices and lifted by citrus fruits from Europe. Meat has featured heavily in Caribbean cuisine for centuries, primarily chicken, pork, goat, fish and crustaceans.
Iconic ingredients and dishes
Readily available on all the islands, seafood is one of the highlights of Caribbean cuisine. Flying fish, a whitefish usually spiced and grilled, is a classic in Barbados. You’ll also find a glut of grouper steaks and seafood stews available, as well as conch served in a variety of ways from fritters to soups and salads.
Areas most influenced by the Spanish such as Cuba use pork predominantly for the meat element of their dishes. Look out for roast pork combined with vegetarian regional staples such as rice and bean dishes. In Jamaica, chicken is rubbed with the distinctive jerk spice mix which is hot and dry, while hearty goat curry is the major meat dish of small islands like the Cayman Islands and Aruba.
Vegetarians and vegans will still find many delicacies to delight them. Slightly sweet and substantial plantain accompanies most dishes alongside yams and rice. Tropical fruit abounds from coconuts – this water is amazingly hydrating in hot weather – to papaya, mango and the creamy prickly-exterior soursop.
Finally, no list of iconic Caribbean cuisine is complete without rum, the island’s famous tipple consumed worldwide. Made by distilling fermented sugar cane and molasses, rum has a centuries-old heritage in this area, developing from a local drink to an important trading tool for the Spanish and visiting Europeans. You can visit distilleries and the attached plantations and sample the stuff neat, or in refreshing cocktails such as the mojito.
Caribbean dining experiences
You can incorporate a variety of dining experiences during your visit, especially if you look into Caribbean cruise holidays which hop from island to island. Even if you’re sticking with one destination, eating options will range from gourmet meals in hotels and fine-dining restaurants to beach barbecues serenaded by live music performances that thrill the senses.
Look up the best-reviewed spots ahead of your trip to ensure you don’t miss out on the most spectacular culinary experiences, but equally don’t be afraid to try out hidden gems you’ve never heard of. Sometimes the best morsels are sold from small stalls and shacks which are completely innocuous from the outside.