On a recent trip, I learned that Jamiaca is more than just a great vacation spot, it's a culinary destination. The foods and flavors of the country are unlike anything that I have experienced before. After arriving in this beautiful country, we immediately set out to try the local foods. As we were driving from Kingston to Runaway Bay, we encountered many local farmers who were selling fresh fruits and fish from small shacks along the main road. They had everything you might expect from a tropical climate like mangos, papaya, pineapples, bananas, lychee and coconuts. They also had many items that I had heard of and never seen in person like breadfruit (it really tasts like bread, go figure), ackee (this strange fruit tastes like fish, but looks like scrambled eggs when cooked), and jackfruit. As we continued on our journey, we saw acres of sugar cane fields and even ended up stuck behind a truck carrying way more sugar cane than appeared to be safe! When we finally arrived at our hotel, we were greeted by the aromas of jerk chicken, callaloo (think collard greens), ackee and curried goat. During our stay we feasted on a variety of local favorites along side the freshest fruits and vegetables available. Along with every meal, we were offered Red Stripe, the official beer of Jamaica. There's nothing better than partaking in Red Stripe while on the beaches of Jamaica, but Jamaican Appleton Estate Rum comes pretty close! 

We took a day trip up to the Jamaican Blue Mountains to see how the famous coffee is produced and to taste it straight from the source. As we drove up the winding (and very scary!) road hugging the side of the mountain, it quickly became very apparent as to why this coffee is so expensive! The road is about the width of a standard one lane road, but it actually serves as a two lane road (insert gasp here) and it took 2 hours from the base of the mountain to our destination at the top of the mountain. When we arrived at our destination, we were shocked to see a simple cinder block house alive with activity in the town of Section. We took a short walk along the road to see the coffee bean plants growing along the side of the mountain. It was hard to imagine being able to farm the side of the mountain without the use of ropes and pulleys as it was almost vertical.

When we arrived back at the house, we were greeted with a hot cup of fresh coffee and smiles all around. We were given a lesson in the process of making the coffee beans into what we see on the shelf as the final product. We joked with the rasta farmer and asked him if he ever fell down the mountain. He replied with a simple "Yeah, mon. But we try not to!" This farm has been growing coffee on the mountain since 1919 and practices 100% Organic growing techniques. It has been passed down through the generations and is currently managed by the grandson of the original farmer. My only regret was that we didn't buy more of his coffee! As we made our way back down the mountain, we stopped for lunch in one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. It's known as Strawberry Hill and it is a hotel and spa with a series of bungalows built along the side of the mountain. We dined on the patio of the restaurant and looked out over Kingston Harbor to one side and the Blue Mountains to the other. The food was rich and flavorful, the presentation simple. We were sad when the meal was over, but happy to have experienced it.

For anyone planning a trip in the future, keep Jamaica in mind. The beautiful scenery, relaxed attitude, adventure and food make it a perfect vacation spot for anyone who considers themselves a Foodie. If you can't make it to Jamaica, try some of our products that will make you think you were there! Start your day off right with a cup of pure Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee or try our Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend for a more affordable option. Then, invite your nearest and dearest to your home and offer up a refreshing Ting, relax poolside with a Red Stripe, and make a fresh fruit salad with Mangos, Papaya, Lychee and Pineapple!  You can even create the island ambience with our tropical bouquets or hibiscus plants.

Everything is Irie, Mon! 

Jennifer-Broadway Senior Admin and Food Lover