When we think of Jamaica, most of us immediately think of white sandy beaches, friendly people, and reggae music. What people tend to forget is that Jamaica has a rich and vibrant culinary culture, some parts of which are especially interesting if you’re a health conscious consumer.
A superfood is a food that contains large amounts of specific nutrients that provide significant health benefits, and Jamaican food has a few great additions for your superfood pantry.
Moringa
Moringa is a tree that was imported to the Caribbean from Asia and Africa in the 16th century. It doesn’t have a very strong flavor, but it makes up for the lack of taste with its incredible health benefits.
Ounce for Ounce, Moringa might well be the most nutrient-dense food on earth. It’s packed with iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, B vitamins, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, copper, manganese, and niacin. It also contains 46 different antioxidants, and 36 anti-inflammatories.
Moringa leaves, flowers, seeds, pods, roots, bark, and gum are all currently being investigated to discover more potential uses of this amazing plant. It is also being considered as a food additive to fight malnutrition.
Sorrel
Sorrel is a type of hibiscus plant that grows all over the Caribbean. It has a lot of different uses, but in Jamaica it is primarily used to create a delicious drink that is especially popular during the holidays. It also makes delicious jelly, ice cream, tarts, and other sweets.
What makes sorrel a superfood isn’t just its amazing taste, but also what is inside. Sorrel contains high quantities of Calcium, riboflavin, Vitamin C, niacin, and antioxidants. These help to fight hypertension, high blood pressure, heart disease, and illnesses related to premature aging. The JCS Brand of Dried Sorrel is your ideal superfood packed in a 4oz package. It is the best choice brand for an authentic sorrel taste for the traditional sorrel drink and can be purchased directly from our website at www.jcskitchen.com
Passion Fruit
Popular everywhere it grows, passion fruit has been used as a base or as a flavoring agent for a huge variety of dishes, including ice cream, yogurt, juices, smoothies, and various baked goods. Not only is the fruit incredibly delicious and a joy to eat, but its seeds are packed with nutrients and antioxidants that have easily made it “superfood” worthy.
The nutrients and antioxidants in the seeds are known to improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and potentially even fight cancer! Tests have shown that passion fruit juice selectively kills off cancer cells in vitro. That doesn’t make it a cure by any means, but it’s an exciting discovery, and it might well help to delay or fight the onset of cancer.
Turmeric
Another leftover of Jamaica’s colonial past, turmeric was imported from Asia and features heavily in Jamaican cuisine. It is primarily used to flavor savory dishes, but occasionally makes appearances in sweet foods as well. Its fragrance and strong flavor make it a popular spice all over the world, but we don’t generally stop to consider its value as a superfood. Considering that it has been featured in Chinese medicine for millennia, perhaps it shouldn’t shock us that it makes an appearance in our list.
Studies have shown that frequent use of turmeric reduces the risk of cancer significantly, and some studies have even suggested that turmeric could help slow the spread of existing cancers. Scientists are also looking into its effects on the symptoms of various other diseases, including Alzheimers and arthritis. Turmeric is one of the main ingredients in curry powder and is a great way to enjoy this superfood. Curry powder can be added to meats, poultry, seafood and beans. The JCS Curry Powder can be purchased directly from our website at www.jcskitchen.com