What Makes Jerk Spicy?

Posted on by Forest in Food & Drink

What Makes Jerk Spicy? – I love Caribbean food and if you have ever had the chance to try Jamaican jerk seasoning on anything then I am sure you are in love with it’s spice and taste too. But what are the ingredients and where does the spice come from?

What Makes Jerk Spicy?

It is said that Jerk originated in the 18th century when Guerilla fighters were fighting against the British in Jamaica. They were hiding up in the mountainous regions and had to live off the land. Spices, hot peppers and game meat where staples there and the origins of the jerk seasoning we know well today were born. It is also said that smoking meat with spices, know known as Jerky, had the very same origins.

What Makes Jerk Spicy?

Jerk comes in many forms with many a Jamaican mother swearing by her recipe (and of course Jamaican day too). On a very basic level chill and all-spice are the two key ingredients but normally chili, thyme, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, onions and garlic are the accepted essential spices.

Ideal the spicy element will not just come from any old chili. The spice in jerk should come from the scotch bonnet. The slightly sweet flavor but excruciating heat of this particular pepper prominent in the Caribbean gives a good leg up to the distinctive jerk taste. Habanero sometimes are used in place but don’t bring the correct flavor to a dish.

The heat is measured at an astounding 100,000–350,000 Scoville Units. In comparison a Jalepeno averages around 2000-8000 Scoville Units. This means it is one of the hottest in the world and needs to be handled and used with care and respect.

If you have never tried Jerk then you are missing out. You can get it mild to very hot and in a variety of uses with Jerk Chicken being one of the main and most loved uses. Just find a local restaurant that does it or find a good looking YouTube video and make it yourself.

I hope you enjoy it.

If you have tried it I would love to know what you think of it and if you love it as much as me.

Related: Foods That Keep You Full

Thanks for reading.

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Tags: caribbean food, jerk chicken, jerk seasoning, scotch bonnet