Jamaican Cookery

    I went to the market today with a shopping list, but if you wanted onions, you were out of luck. Most higglers’ stalls were completely empty, and the few who had stock were charging a staggering $500 per pound. Jamaican local onion crop started from February, i believe, so, there was no foreign onion selling, only local but local onion is going home and i am yet to see the foreign onion in the market and so, the little supply of local onion is selling for $500 this week last week it was $400. But how did we get here? To understand why a basic kitchen staple has suddenly become a luxury item. February: The Local Monopoly The Jamaican local onion crop began reaping in February. To protect local farmers, foreign onion imports were scaled back. For a brief moment, only Jamaican onions were on the market. Production numbers looked high, but the illusion of security didn't last. March & April: The Missing Infrastructure Jamaica does not have wide...

If you’re looking at this fruit, you would say naseberry but sometimes, it’s actually sandberry . And trust me, there is a difference. Growing up in Jamaica, naseberry is nothing new. It’s one of those fruits you see all the time, especially when it’s in season. But every now and then, you’ll come across a version that looks the same on the outside, but once you bite into it… completely different story. That’s sandberry. What Is Sandberry? Sandberry is basically naseberry with a sandy, grainy texture. The outside looks almost identical, so if you’re just going by appearance, you can easily get fooled. But the moment you taste it, you’ll know. The texture is what gives it the name slightly rough, almost like fine grains. And the sweetness? On a whole next level. This is not your regular fruit sweetness. This is pure brown sugar energy . My Experience Trying Sandberry I bought what I thought was naseberry, but the vendor told me straight ,it’s sandberry. I laughed it off at first, but wh...

If you’ve ever been in Jamaica at night and heard a strange sound or seen a pair of glowing eyes, you might have wondered: was that an owl or a patoo? Many people, especially those visiting from abroad, think Jamaicans call every nocturnal bird a "patoo," but that is simply not true. These two birds belong to entirely different families, and understanding the difference is a key part of appreciating our local culture and wildlife. The Patoo: A Master of Disguise The Northern Potoo ( Nyctibius jamaicensis ), known locally as the Patoo , is one of the most unique birds you’ll find on the island. Appearance: It has incredible camouflage and often looks like an extension of a tree branch rather than a bird. Distinct Features: It has massive yellow eyes and a mouth it loves to open wide, which has led to the popular Jamaican saying, "you’re ugly like a patoo." Sounds & Folklore: The Patoo is famous for its ...

My $300 JMD haul of St. Julian (Julie) mangoes at the start of the 2026 season Mango season in Jamaica is a time of pure joy, but it’s also a time of high stakes at the market. I recently paid $300 JMD for three medium-sized St. Julian mangoes , better known locally as the Julie mango . Because the season just started, prices are always a bit high. As the weeks go by, I’ll be watching to see if they drop—or climb even higher. In Jamaica, the Julie is considered one of the more “prestige” mangoes, sitting just behind the legendary East Indian. Why the Julie Mango Is So Popular in Jamaica The “Dwarf” Mango Tree One of the most unique things about the Julie mango is the tree itself. Unlike the massive Common or Number 11 trees that tower over houses, the Julie tree is small and compact. It’s often called a “dwarf mango tree.” At about 5 ft 7 in, I’ve seen Julie trees shorter than me! No climbing needed No mango pole required Fruit is easy to pick ...