Part 2: Let’s Visit Jamaica with Jamaica Cultural Alliance!

Full Episode description

In this adventurous episode, join us as we hop on the Culture Train for another adventure to the lush, vibrant island of Jamaica. Once again, we meet with Dr. Horace Alexander and Ms. Dorothy McCloud from the Jamaica Cultural Alliance to dive deeper into the captivating culture of this beautiful Caribbean destination.

As the journey unfolds, you will be introduced to Jamaica’s national fruit, ackee. Ms. Dorothy paints a vivid picture of this unique fruit, explaining how it transforms from a closed, apple-like shape to a beautiful, flower-like structure when ripe. She also shares the crucial safety tip of waiting for ackee to naturally open before consuming it, as eating it prematurely can be dangerous.

Dr. Horace then takes us on a culinary journey through the history of Jamaican jerk seasoning. He reveals the ingenious methods used by the Maroons, the brave people who escaped to the mountains for freedom, to cook meat underground without revealing their location through smoke. This fascinating technique gave birth to the rich, smoky flavor of jerk seasoning, a staple in Jamaican cuisine.

You will also discover delightful Jamaican desserts, many of which are made from coconut. Ms. Dorothy describes the colorful and chewy treats, including “grater cake” and the intriguingly named “Bustamante’s backbone,” a tough candy that pays homage to a revered Jamaican Prime Minister.

The episode further explores the symbolism of the Jamaican flag, with its unique combination of black, green, and gold, representing the island’s challenges, lush landscape, and sunny optimism. Dr. Horace shares the positive outlook embodied by the Jamaican people and explains the cultural significance of the colors often associated with the Rastafarian community.

Jamaica Cultural Alliance:

https://jamaicaculture.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamaicaCulturalAlliance/

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Music:

Theme song composed by Kristen Kim. Arranged and recorded by Robin Lai

All other music and sound FX: Envato Elements