The Essence of.....Barbados An exploration of the world through food and drink

http://barbados.org/uk Essence -ial Information UK Tourist Office 263 Tottenham Court Rd London W1T 7LA Currency Barbadian Dollar  Capital Bridgetown Language English/Bajan Main Airlines British Airways, Virgin Flying Time from UK 8hrs 30mins Visa No

PROFILE Barbados is situated between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela. The island was first inhabited by the British, exactly since 1627, which brought slaves to work the Sugar plantations. Barbados remained a British colony until 1966 when it became independent. Barbados cuisine combines various international cuisines such as African, Chinese, Caribbean, West Indian and European. The surrounding waters offers a wide variety of fish including red Snapper, shark, kingfish, salt fish, bill fish, Tuna, salmon mackerel, Cod fish, Barracuda and dolphin as well as shrimps, lobsters and crabs. Other seafood delicacies are Sea Urchin and Flying Fish. Favoured by the humid soil, Barbados is heavy on exotic fruits such as kiwi, papaya, bananas, pineapples and also various vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, onions, garlic and celery. Coucou is a Barbados recipe which derives from African cuisine and it comes in a variety of types such as green banana cou-cou, breadfruit cou-cou. Cou-cou is normally served along with okra and fried Flying Fish. Rum Cake / Great Cake - this cake also referred to as black cake contains alcohol particular our own local rum (Mount Gay Rum). Pudding and Souse - this is one unique dish you must try. Traditionally it is used on Saturdays and you would find that locals sell this dish along with the supermarkets as well. The pudding is made from the intestines of the pig and seasoned with many things to give it a unique taste. The souse is boiled pig's head or feet served cold with onions, peppers etc.