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Get ready to spice up your taste buds and celebrate National Jamaican Jerk Day on October 24! This day is all about honoring the delicious and unique flavors of Jamaican jerk seasoning, which has been a staple in Jamaican cuisine for centuries. Originally created by the Maroons, descendants of African slaves who escaped into the mountains of Jamaica, this fiery blend of herbs and spices has become a popular flavoring not only in Jamaica but around the world. So get ready to celebrate this mouth-watering holiday by indulging in some authentic Jamaican jerk chicken or trying out new recipes with your favorite jerk seasoning!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1655</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Maroons' Culinary Invention</div><div class='timeline-text'>Maroons, escaped African slaves in Jamaica, invented jerk seasoning as a way of preserving, cooking, and flavoring their food.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Wider Jamaican Adoption</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the 1800s, jerk seasoning and cooking techniques became popular across the entire island of Jamaica.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1970s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>International Exposure </div><div class='timeline-text'>With the global cultural explosion from Jamaica in the form of Reggae in the 70s, Jamaican jerk also traveled across borders.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1990s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Incorporation in Global Cuisine </div><div class='timeline-text'>Throughout the 1990s, jerk seasoning became more widespread in international cuisine, including in fast-food chains and gourmet restaurants.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1998</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Jamaican Jerk Festival</div><div class='timeline-text'>The world's first and largest jerk festival, the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival, has been held annually since 1998.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Jamaican Jerk Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Jamaican Jerk Day was officially recognized and celebrated for the first time on October 24th, 2015.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a Jamaican jerk BBQ</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family for a backyard BBQ featuring traditional Jamaican jerk chicken, pork, or fish. Don't forget the spicy jerk seasoning and some refreshing tropical drinks!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Learn how to make your own jerk seasoning</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Attend a cooking class or watch online tutorials to learn how to make your own authentic jerk seasoning. Then, use it in your cooking and share the delicious flavors with your loved ones.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Throw a reggae dance party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Celebrate Jamaican culture by throwing a dance party with reggae music, traditional Jamaican dishes, and fun activities like limbo or a costume contest. Don't forget to dress in your best island-inspired outfits!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a Jamaican restaurant</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Support a local Jamaican restaurant and indulge in their delicious jerk dishes. This is a great way to celebrate Jamaican Jerk Day while also supporting small businesses.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a jerk cook-off</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and have a friendly competition to see who can make the best jerk dish. Have everyone vote on their favorite and award the winner with a prize. Bonus points for creative jerk dishes!</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a unique and flavorful dish</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Jamaican jerk chicken or pork is a delicious and popular dish that has gained popularity around the world. It's known for its bold, spicy flavors and complex marinade, which makes it stand out from other types of BBQ. Plus, it's perfect for summer cookouts!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings people together</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Food has a special way of bringing people together, and Jamaican jerk dishes are no exception. Whether you're cooking with friends or family, sharing a meal of Jamaican jerk chicken can create happy memories and foster new connections.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It can be adapted to any dietary preference</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Whether you're a vegetarian, vegan, or have food allergies, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Jamaican jerk flavors without the meat. You can make tofu or veggie versions, or even try using jerk seasoning on seafood or vegetables. It's a versatile dish that can accommodate any dietary restriction!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Jamaican Jerk Receipe Involves a Unique Marinating Process</h3><p class='facts-content'>Jerk seasoning includes a host of ingredients like pimento (also called allspice), hot scotch bonnet peppers, and thyme - all mixed in a liquid like vinegar or citrus juice. This marinade is left to soak into the meat for hours or even days, bringing out the unique jerk taste.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Jamaican Jerk Traditionally Cooks on a Pimento Wood</h3><p class='facts-content'>Authentically, jerk meat cooks over pimento wood. Its smoke adds another layer of distinct flavor to the jerk dish. However, due to export restrictions on the wood, it's not commonly found globally.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Boston, Jamaica is Known as the Home of Jerk</h3><p class='facts-content'>Boston in Portland Parish, Jamaica, is widely recognized as the place where jerk originated. It's world-famous with locales all over the globe recreating the 'Boston Jerk' style).</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There's a Specific Lingo When Ordering a Cheesesteak in Philly</h3><p class='facts-content'>If you want your cheesesteak with onions and Cheez Whiz, you'd order it as "Whiz wit." Want different type of cheese without onions? It's "Provolone without"!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Jerk Spices Can Vary by the Chef's Hand</h3><p class='facts-content'>There's no one fixed recipe for jerk seasoning. Every chef or home cook adds their own twist, whether it's a secret ingredient or particular ratio of spices, making each jerk dish unique.</p></div></div>
National Jamaican Jerk Day is celebrated on October 24th every year. In 2024 National Jamaican Jerk Day will occur on a Thursday.
2023
Oct 24
Tuesday
2024
Oct 24
Thursday
2025
Oct 24
Friday
2026
Oct 24
Saturday
2027
Oct 24
Sunday
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