Food Station

Caribbean Foods – A Little History

The history of Caribbean food is a bit lengthy yet interesting. It is said that the Carib, Taino and Arawak Indians were the very first inhabitants of the islands of Caribbean. Over a period of time they gradually occupied many other surrounding islands also. Their routine diet included different kinds of edible plants and fruits whereas Taino started process of food preparation like fish as well as meat in the large clay pots.

Arawak were known making the grate of the thin green wood strips through which they cooked meat slowly allowing it to adopt wood flavor. Such grate was known as barbacoa which in due course of time became barbeque – the ancient food preparing style of India - as we know it today. Carib Indians are believed to have added more spices to their foods with sizzling condiment liquids, lemon and lemon juice to their mutton and seafood preparations. The stew of condiment pot is believed to have been originated by them.

Europeans brought African slaves into that region. These slaves instigated African plant, different preparations of fish and seafood, cakes and puddings as well as sauces and various other eatable substances. Most of Caribbeans, as yet have been found using original African preparations in their routine diets. The next substance is of course rice, which is believed to have been introduced by the Chinese and is used as principal food in home prepared typical island diets.

The substances like codfish were introduced by the Portuguese ship-crews and the Chinese are said to have brought in mustard seeds. The Caribbean cookery has great contribution from the islands of Polynesia. Various substances like seeds, cereal, pulp, potato, tomato as well as chili pepper were made available by the Americans to Caribbean. The richness inspired with savor influenced by various Asian, African and European countries have made the Caribbean foods famous all over the world.

Tags:  arawak indians barbacoa caribbean cookery caribbean foods condiment Food Station seafood cakes ship crews

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