The Spicy Allure of Caribbean Food

The Caribbean is a favorite destination for tourists because of its beautiful tropical climate. And just like many other places with year-long warm weather, the Caribbean cuisine is noted for its delectable selection of spicy dishes, from salads with just a slight kick to seriously hot entrees that can set your mouth ablaze.

This is not to say that all the foods in the Caribbean are spicy. In fact, they have a very diverse variety of flavors so you won’t find it difficult to satisfy any cravings you might have while you are traveling the beautiful islands. But when it comes to spicy foods, they certainly have some of the best that the world has to offer. One reason for this is because of their brilliant use of spices that hail from all over the world.

One of the more popular ingredients in Caribbean recipes is allspice. Despite what its name suggests, it is actually not a mix of several spices but is singularly derived from the fruit of the pimento tree. If you have ever tasted the famous Caribbean Creole sausage or just about any of their seafood dishes, you will recognize the trademark flavor of this spice.

Cinnamon is another frequently used spice in the Caribbean. It is used in meat dishes, particularly lamb and chicken, as well as many desserts and beverages. In the Puerto Rican holiday drink coquito, cinnamon is what gives it that distinct punch.

The next time you visit the Caribbean, make sure to taste as much as you can of their native cuisine because truly, nothing compares to their scrumptious offerings. But if traveling is not in your plans in the near future, you can still have a sampling of authentic Caribbean spicy foods right here in Toronto by taking part in the Spicy Bites food festival this coming summer.

It promises to be one of the best outdoor food festivals in the city this year that will feature the finest spicy foods from the Caribbean. Come in your summer outfit and enjoy authentic foods like the Jamaican jerk chicken or the curried goat with Scotch Bonnet pepper, and savor the allure of Caribbean foods right in your own city.