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Cheapest Jamaica inclusive Vacation

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Jamaica, a true Caribbean classic, has been a popular vacation destination for decades. In the 1940s and 50s, it was place to go for the jet set, including Elizabeth Taylor, Errol Flynn and Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond.

Food historians believe jerk seasoning — used to liven up chicken, pork or fish cooked slowly over a hardwood fire — may have originated with the Arawak Indians who once populated the island.

The jerk seasoning combination of salt and peppers began as a means of preserving meats. Then, in the 18th century, African slaves brought to the island to work on sugar plantations adopted jerk cooking methods, added some of their own spice twists. Today jerk is a national taste treasure.

Jerk seasoning mixes vary from cook to cook, but they often start with a combination of hot, sweet and savory spices including: peppers, pimento, nutmeg, cinnamon, garlic, scallions, and salt. The heavily seasoned meat is then slow-cooked over a barbecue grill.

The origin of the name “jerk” is harder to pin down. Some say it originated from the Arawak language while others believe it describes the action of the cook jerking the meat — turning it over and over again as it cooks on the grill.

All you really need to know today is that jerk is a taste not to be missed when you visit Jamaica. It is served just about everywhere on the island from upscale resort buffets to down home local eateries known as jerk huts.

Anyone who’s ever been serious about their own backyard barbecue methods can appreciate the patience and pride that goes into the plates dished up at the family-owned jerk huts. And, they are the perfect spots to find out how jerk seasoning blends vary from place to place.

A spread of Jamaican specialties presented beautifully on a table with a view of the sea welcomed us to Golden Eye, a luxurious, small hotel near Ocho Rios, which was the home of Ian Fleming. Traditional dishes included jerk chicken (of course!), rice and peas, spicy marinated escoveitch fish, and ackee and salt fish which is known as the national dish of Jamaica.

Ackee is a small fruit that when ripe bursts open to reveal soft yellow flesh inside. When cooked it looks a lot like scrambled eggs but tastes more like avocado. It definitely falls into that “adventures in eating” category!

Another evening of culinary classics unfolded at Belfield 1794, a restaurant located near Montego Bay in what was the old sugar mill on the Barnett Estates — a 300-year-old sugar plantation.

Sure, you can get cheeseburgers in this paradise, and even Italian and Mexican dishes at most resorts catering to U.S. tourists, but part of the exploration of vacation is trying the local food specialties. And whether it’s a chat about seasonings with cooks at a jerk hut, or asking islanders about the preparation of ackee and salt fish, conversations over great-tasting food is one of the best ways to get to know the people and cultures of the world.

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