Traditional Caribbean Spices -

Chocolate Cupcakes, filled with a pastry cream with a cinnamon butter-cream.

Spiced Cupcake with a Ponche Butter-cream Frosting
(In the picture above, you will find a spiced cupcake made from cinnamon, allspice, ground anise and ground Dominican cocoa from a local farm cooperative in the DR. The aromatic smell and taste of it is like heaven for the Caribbean palette. We also could not help but add a bit of booze and making a Ponche butter-cream not only gives this cake that extra kick, but accentuate the spices infused in it.)
 

 Condiments and seasoning have always played a role in traditional Caribbean cuisines, yet the versatility and diversity of spices within this region is extremely unique. So unique that it is safe to say that one of, if not the most defining component of any sweet Caribbean creation is the use and manipulation of  spices. Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Anise, All Spice just to name a few, are just some of the many spices that you will find in traditional Caribbean culinary creations,  both sweet and savory alike.  They are also a staple in rums, punches, teas and other drinks, as well as herbal remedies (ginger tea is always a good remedy for sour stomachs :-) ) A book that we highly recommend for those who would like to learn more about the rich history and culinary versatility of spices within Caribbean foods is "The Caribbean Pantry Cookbook" by Steven Raichlen. This book has a great layout of recipes from rubs and spices such as jerk seasoning and sofrito, to making jam and jellies out of traditional Caribbean fruits such as guava and start fruit.  

The book will give insight into the colonial histories of the islands, and comparing it to what we see today, it is clearly evident that the Caribbean is a vast cultural melting pot with influences from literally every point of the globe, making it one of, if not the most eclectic and culturally diverse region in the world. Its tropical climate also has made it a gold mine for a vast variety of fruits and spices. For example, most of the world's nutmeg gets produced in Grenada; Cacao is know to grown in places like the Dominican Republic (The DR is one of the largest of supplies of organic cocoa in the Latin America and Caribbean region); and you can fine herbs and spices such as mint, thyme and culentro in Trinidad's Paramin Hills.