April 5, 2015

1513 JAMAICA - Ackee and Breadfruit


The ackee (Blighia sapida) is native to tropical West Africa, was imported to Jamaica (probably on a slave ship) before 1778, and since then it has become a major feature of various Caribbean cuisines. The scientific name honours Captain William Bligh who took the fruit from Jamaica to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England in 1793. The fruit is pear-shaped. When it ripens, it turns from green to a bright red to yellow-orange, and splits open to reveal three large, shiny black seeds, each partly surrounded by soft, creamy or spongy, white to yellow flesh - the aril. Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica, and ackee and saltfish is the national dish. Ackee pods should be allowed to ripen on the tree before picking. Prior to cooking, the ackee arils are cleaned and washed. The arils are then boiled for approximately 5 minutes and the water discarded. The dried seeds, fruit, bark, and leaves are used medicinally.

Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a species of flowering tree in the mulberry family, Moraceae originating in the South Pacific and that was eventually spread to the rest of Oceania. British and French navigators introduced a few Polynesian seedless varieties to Caribbean islands during the late 18th century and today it is grown in 90 countries. Its name is derived from the texture of the cooked moderately ripe fruit, which has a potato-like flavor, similar to freshly baked bread. Jamaican breadfruit can be boiled, roasted or fried and can be served as a side dish as well as a main course with other vegetables, such as ackee recipe with fried or roasted breadfruit. Another delicacy is the Jamaican breadfruit chips recipe served with avocado dip.

About the stamp


The minisheet 50th Birth Anniversary of Bob Marley was issued on July 31, 1995. Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley (1945-1981) was a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter, musician, and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim

References
Ackee - Wikipedia
Breadfruit - Wikipedia
About Jamaican Breadfruit - Get Jamaica

Sender: Maria
sent from Kingston (Jamaica), on 05.03.2015

2 comments:

  1. At first I thought the ackee fruits were flowers!

    I like it that you have a vivid and clear scan of the colors from the postcard. Most of my postcards don't scan that well. Or probably I need to check on my printer's setting.

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    Replies
    1. It's not the scanner, I increase the contrast when I save the image. Many many thanks for this wonderful postcard.

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