Caribbean cuisine is one of the most unique and rich type of foods out there. It is full of tradition from the Caribbean islands, with one of the most popular strands of the cuisine stemming from Jamaica. Jerk chicken is a popular Caribbean dish that is a combination of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. Here is some history on the dish and a description of how it is made.
What is the History of Jerk Chicken?
Historians believe that jerk seasoning was invented by the Maroons. They were African slaves who escaped from Caribbean transport and fled into Jamaican wilderness. They had to adapt to the wilderness and invent a new genre of culinary techniques. Their new cooking methods, mixed with the methods of locals, led to the creation of jerk seasoning.
How is Jerk Chicken Made, and What Gives it its Flavor?
Jerk is a rub consisting of sweet, savory and spicy seasonings. There are many variations of jerk seasoning, but here at Caribbean Hut, we like to use onion and garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, paprika, parsley, thyme, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, brown sugar, and cumin. This delicious blend of spices gives jerk chicken its rich flavor that people love. Once the jerk rub is on the chicken, we grill it to perfection. Some people like to barbeque it, but grilling it allows the chicken to retain as much flavor as possible.
The Caribbean dish jerk chicken is one you do not want to miss out on. Join us today at our restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina and enjoy our delicious Caribbean food.