FOODS | Nutritious Jamaican Fish Tea

One of the most unique teas in the world is found in Jamaica’s Cuisine. This tea is not made from any kind of vegetation or spice but from freshly caught sprat fish.

The beverage that is made from freshly caught (preferably but not mandatory) sprat fish, is called Fish Tea.

It is usually made and given to the convalescing to help open the appetite and as a first meal to help build physical strength and stamina.
It is also given to babies as an introductory meal to the family foods and spices cooked within the home. 

Jamaican Fish Tea. ( for Adults only)

INGREDIENTS:

2 lb small sprat  fish (fish head can be substituted)
3 quarts. water
3 sprigs thyme
4 stalks scallion
2 medium potatoes (cubed)
2 carrots (cubed)
3 medium Choyote (Tropical vegetable cubed)
1 green scotch bonnet pepper 
Salt to taste
8 pimento seeds

METHOD:

• Scale and Wash fish
• Put  half of the scallion, thyme, pepper , pimento and  salt in  water to boil.
• Add potatoes, carrots and choyote.
• Cook until vegetables are tender. Remove vegetables from the pot.
• Add fish and cook until fish flesh comes off the bone.
• Pour fish contents through a strainer (or boil in a mesh bag) and remove all bones.
• Place the potatoes, carrots and Choyote back into to the strained liquid .
• Add the rest of thyme, scallion, pepper, and  pimento and black pepper.
• Simmer for 5 more minutes.
• Remove from heat and serve hot.

EDITOR’S NOTE: 

Minna LaFortune is a trained Caribbean caterer and also president of the Society for the Advancement of the Caribbean Diaspora (SACD).

Check out her food group on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bestfoodscaribbean/?ref=share_group_link and  her Wattsapp group: Caribbean Kitchens Netwk