Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is "Jerk" chicken?

A. "Jerk" is a unique Jamaican method of preserving, seasoning and cooking meat - usually chicken or pork. The meat is marinated with a mixture of spices and peppers and traditionally cooked over a flame.

Q. What is Ackee?

A. Ackee is a delicate yellow fruit, that is served as a vegetable in Jamaica. Ackee and salted fish is Jamaica's national dish. Many compare it to scrambled egg.

The tree upon which it grows - Blighia sapida - is actually native to Tropical West Africa. The scientific name honours Captain Bligh who brought the tree to Jamaica in 1793, although it was actually first introduced by Dr. Thomas Clark in 1778. The name comes from the Twi language of Ghana. Other names and variant spellings include Akee, akee apple, and Achee and vegetable brains.

Preparing Ackee is rather tricky. The yellow, fleshy arils covering of the seeds on properly ripe, naturally opened fruit, form the only edible part of the plant. Unripe and over-ripe arils, and all other parts of the plant are poisonous, causing vomiting and hypoglycemia. Only canned Ackee is available in the UK due to safety concerns.