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Best Time to Shop at Jamaica's Markets (Coronation & May Pen)

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The best time to go to any market in Jamaica, whether it’s Coronation, May Pen, or your local town square, really depends on two things: you and your pocket. In any Jamaican market, there is no set time to start selling. For me, the day starts at 4:00 AM. I wake up and get my chores moving, like putting a load of clothes in the washer. By 5:00 AM, whether the laundry is finished or not, I’m in the shower. By 5:30 AM, I am heading out. The 5:30 AM Experience: Peace at a Price At that hour, it’s still dark. Even though there are electricity lights in the market, there aren't enough of them, and many areas stay poorly lit. I usually have to use my phone light to see the produce, and you’ll see other shoppers using flashlights to pick through the stalls. Seeing is Believing: The 5:00 AM Struggle In this short clip I filmed during my last run, you can see exactly what I mean by “pitch black.” At, I'm navigating the stalls where you can barely see the hands in fr...
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Jamaican Wrenchman & Doctor Fish Soup (Authentic Fish Tea)

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 After a cold front hit the island last week, the temperature in my parish dipped to 14°C. On a chilly day like that, nothing beats an authentic Jamaican fish soup. While "fish tea" without ground provisions isn't as common as it used to be, this hearty version is loaded with dumplings and yam is exactly what you need to warm up. For this recipe, I used the traditional favorites: Doctor Fish and Wrenchman (Soldierfish). These fish currently go for about $800 per pound, plus $100 per pound to have them cleaned. I bought 6 pounds in total and used two of each for this pot. Recipe Details Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: 45 mins Total time: 1 hour 5 mins Servings: 4–6 people Ingredients Fish 2 Doctor fish, seasoned with salt and all-purpose seasoning 2 Wrenchman fish, seasoned with salt and all-purpose seasoning Vegetables 1 slice curry pumpkin, diced 1 Irish potato, peeled and diced 1 carrot, peeled and diced Provisions 1 lb...
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Jamaican Sorrel Ribena Drink Recipe

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Sorrel & Ribena: A Wicked Jamaican Christmas Combination As we say in Jamaica, "Sorrel and Ribena makes a wicked combination!" If you're looking for a taste of authentic Jamaican Christmas, this vibrant, flavourful drink is an absolute must try. While sorrel is a well-known festive staple, the addition of Ribena elevates it to another level of deliciousness that truly captures the spirit of the season. For my friends outside Jamaica, you might know Ribena by its more common name in the US: blackcurrant. It's a flavour that evokes nostalgia and celebration for many, especially during the festive period, as it traditionally makes its appearance around Christmas. There are a couple of varieties of Ribena you might encounter. There's a sweeter version, which is a bit of a treasure hunt to find, and then there's the more popular, delightfully tart, and intensely "stainy" one. Both offer a rich, deep fruit flavour that’s perfect for cr...
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