Caribbean
Welcome to the heart and soul of Caribbean cuisine!
This general list breaks down the distinctive flavours that make Caribbean dishes a tantalizing experience for your palate. Note that Caribbeans can cook these dishes differently depending on specific regions as well as cooking styles.
Jerk Dishes
Flavour profile: Spicy (Heat)
Description: Packing a punch, jerk seasoning adds excitement to a dish as it delivers a bold and spicy and often smoky element.
Pairs well with: Riesling
Mango Salad
Flavour profile: Sweet, Sour, Slight Spicy
Description: This dish celebrates contrasts with ripe, juicy, sweet mangos setting the main stage and citrusy zest that brightens and provides a refreshing and tangy element. Along with a cooling element this dish is also elevated with a bit of spice (heat).
Plantain
Flavour profile: Sweet OR Savoury
Description: Sweet - When ripe, plantains provide a heightened level of sweetness to the dish. Savoury - Unripe plantains provide a more savoury note with neutral flavours and firmer texture.
Rice & Peas
Flavour profile: Rich, Savoury
Description: Flavourful rice and kidney beans accompanied sometimes with a coconut baseline, the aromatics of various spices and garlic and onion impart a savoury and fragrant base, providing this rice with depth and complexity.
Curry Dishes
Flavour profile: Rich, Vibrant, Savoury, Slight Spicy
Description: Displays an earthy, bold and rich flavour profile. Coconut milk can be common which adds a rich and creamy texture, slight heat can be found as often there is a bit of a fiery spice element.
Pairs well with: Cabernet Franc
Saltfish Fritters
Flavour profile: Salty, Slight Spicy
Description: Displaying savoury depth, this dish also provides aromatic allure with garlic and scallions as well as subtle heat that creates a well-balanced flavourful dish. This dish can also be accompanied by tangy tamarind sauce or a spicy pepper sauce which elevate and add extra layers to the meal.
Pairs well with: Riesling
Doubles
Flavour profile: Savoury, Sweet
Description: The curried chickpeas base forms the savoury and rich foundation, in which the tamarind chutney adds a sweetness and tanginess to the dish. A peppery heat accompanies adding a bold and spicy level that elevates the meal.
Pairs well with: Rose