Curry: The Taste of Trinidad & Tobago

Curry is known across many cultures and cuisines as a variation of a seasoning blend, a method of food preparation, or a single spice. But what is curry? 

According to Britannica.com, curry in Western usage, is a dish composed with a sauce or gravy seasoned with a mixture of ground spices that is thought to have originated in India and has since spread to many regions of the world.

In Indian curries comprise of a mixture of onion, ginger, and garlic and flavored with several spices, typically including fresh ground and toasted cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, fennel seed, fenugreek, mustard seed, black and red (cayenne) pepper, and turmeric. Turmeric is what gives curry its iconic yellow color but curry can come in deep browns and reds. The combination of spices varies between culture and cuisines. Traditionally, curry is applied to meats, seafood, and vegetables.

You’re probably wondering, how did this Indian curry make its way to Trinidad and Tobago? Let’s look back to where it all began.

The first Indians arrived on the shores of Trinidad on 30th May 1845 as indentured laborers to work on sugar plantations after the abolition of slavery in 1833. These Indians were seeking refuge from famines and poverty under British colonial rule in India. Bonded under a contract five or more years to work on plantations, their employers paid their passage to Trinidad. The Indians kept true to their traditions, culture, and cuisine. 

Today, Trinidadians of East Indian descent make up the largest ethnic group on the island and in the Caribbean region. Many Trinidadians are of Hindu religion and temples can be found across the island. Some Hindu holidays and observances of Indian such as Diwali (also known as Festival of Lights) are celebrated in grand affairs on the Caribbean island. The festival symbolizes the lifting of spiritual darkness in Hindu culture. It is a celebration of good over evil and light over darkness. Lamps are lit around homes and streets. It is a spectacular sight to behold. Families, communities, even those who are not Hindu, participate in this enlightening and uplifting occasion. 

With this influence of Indian culture naturally, Indian cuisine is significantly incorporated in Trinidad’s cooking. Trinidad’s most popular foods – rotis and doubles are loaded with spicy curry flavor. These delicacies can be found in many restaurants and street eateries in Trinidad and Tobago. Few travelers visit the islands without tasting these rich and tender curried delicacies.

It was impossible to recreate the Indian styles of curry because the Caribbean did not have access to some spices found in Indian curries, so Caribbean islands like Trinidad built their curries around turmeric and fewer spices. Most Trinidad-style curry powders are mild in heat and are often found in many Caribbean pantries to “spice up” savory dishes like stews, soups, and broths.

In Trinidad, curry is almost a universal seasoning that is applied to a stew of beef, pork, poultry, seafood, and vegetables. This curried stew called roti or doubles is typically served with or in a roti wrap. Roti wraps are a thinner version of Mexican tortilla shells. Roti is considered comfort food in Trinidad and embodies the colorful and spicy Indian history and heritage.

You can acquire the taste of Trinidad in your kitchen with Jirie’s Trinidad Curry powder. A salt-free, hand-blend of turmeric, black pepper, and other spices. The spice profile is mild with the careful addition of habanero, ginger, and cinnamon. Jirie’s Trinidad Curry powder captivates the flare and rich flavor of curry. You can even sprinkle this curry to mangoes with a bit of salt to taste for a sweet and spicy Caribbean treat. 

You can purchase Jirie’s Trinidad Spicy Curry here.

Now lets curry with Jirie Caribbean.