The Caribbean islands are home to a wide array of distinctive and delicious dishes, each bursting with flavor that comes from local ingredients. One of the most well-known and iconic flavors in the Caribbean is jerk seasoning. What is it? The quick answer is, Caribbean jerk seasoning is a mix of spices that vary from place to place but usually include allspice, garlic, salt, ginger, and cinnamon in addition to a variety of others.
Caribbean jerk seasoning is known around the world now, but its origin is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Caribbean islands. If you’ve heard of it but never tasted it, or tasted it but always wondered what it’s made of and how it came to be, we’ll tell you all you want to know about Caribbean jerk seasoning.
What Is Jerk?
The first step in unraveling the mystery of Caribbean jerk seasoning is determining what “jerk” is. While it comes before the word “seasoning” here, the word “jerk” actually refers to the method of cooking and not necessarily the seasoning itself.
To jerk something is to slow-smoke it on a grill over pimento wood. This type of wood is found all over the Caribbean islands, so it’s easy to see why it has such an important place in the traditional cooking of the region. Not only is the wood of the pimento tree used to smoke meats, it also grows pimento berries, which are used in the blend of spices that make up Caribbean jerk seasoning.
Where Did Caribbean Jerk Seasoning Come From?
The history and development of the jerk cooking technique is complex. It is widely believed to be a melding of styles and influences from three distinct cultures over many, many years. Jerk found its original home in Jamaica and has since spread to many different Caribbean islands. Generally, the spice mix is used to give flavor to whatever meat is being grilled, and it can be rubbed on dry or used in a marinade.
Each island, area, or person also puts their own spin on the Caribbean jerk seasoning, but the basis is generally the same. The most prominent flavor comes from allspice, and it can include other spices like ginger, cinnamon, and soy sauce. There can also be herbs and fresh ingredients like thyme, garlic, and green onions.
The Caribbean jerk seasoning and jerk cooking method illustrates the diversity of the Caribbean islands. It’s a great way to explore and begin to understand the rich history of the islands while also enjoying one of its most iconic dishes.
Caribbean vs. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
If you haven’t heard of Caribbean jerk seasoning, then you may have heard of Jamaican jerk seasoning. Yes, Jamaica is part of the Caribbean, but they have their own distinct version of jerk seasoning. Both seasonings share similar spices and flavor notes, but there are some definite differences–just like you’ll find among various cultures throughout the Caribbean.
What is the difference between Caribbean and Jamaican jerk seasoning? Jamaican jerk seasoning is specific to the food on the island nation of Jamaica. While it uses many of the same spices as the more general Caribbean jerk seasoning, there is a much bigger use of the Scotch Bonnet pepper. This pepper gives Jamaican jerk a hotter and more fiery flavor, but that heat level can and does vary from recipe to recipe.
How to Make Caribbean Jerk Seasoning
One of the best ways to control the heat level of Caribbean jerk seasoning is to make it at home. A homemade batch of this seasoning means you control not only the level of heat but also the amount of each ingredient. All you need to do is to gather these readily available spices and create your own blend.
What is Caribbean jerk seasoning made of? A traditional Caribbean jerk seasoning recipe uses:
- Ground spices
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Clove
- Cumin
- Allspice
- Powdered spices
- Onion
- Garlic
- Dried Herbs
- Thyme
- Parsely
- Other spices
- Cayenne pepper
- Sugar
- Paprika
- Hot pepper flakes
- Salt
- Pepper
The amount of each spice differs between recipes, but you can add or subtract based on your individual taste. And when you have the perfect blend, you can make your own Caribbean jerk seasoning recipes. Some of the most popular dishes are jerk chicken and jerk pork.
The truth is, “Caribbean jerk” and “Jamaican jerk” often refer to the same thing and are used interchangeably, especially outside the Caribbean. In most cases, Caribbean jerk is a more general reference to the region itself, while Jamaican jerk is more specific to Jamaica.
So who’s ready to whip up a batch of Caribbean jerk seasoning? Or better yet, to jet down to the Caribbean to grab some jerk meat on the beach? If you are, we have plenty of articles on top Caribbean destinations to help you plan where to go, so feel free to browse around!