Caribbean Food History: The Stories Behind What’s on Your Plate | Roger Carmichael of Uncharted Tastes

What does the food on your plate tell you about Caribbean history?

In this episode of Dis A Fi Mi History Podcast, host Wendy Aris speaks with Roger Carmichael of Uncharted Tastes about the fascinating history behind Caribbean food and the many peoples, cultures, migrations and traditions that have shaped what we eat today.

Caribbean cuisine is not simply a collection of recipes. It is a record of history, migration, survival, adaptation, trade, culture and memory.

Together, Wendy and Roger explore the Indigenous, African, European, Indian, Chinese and other influences that have contributed to the diverse food traditions found throughout the Caribbean.

From ingredients and cooking techniques to recipes passed down through generations, the food we eat can reveal stories about colonialism, migration, the African diaspora, Indigenous Caribbean peoples, indentureship, trade and cultural exchange.

The episode also explores sustainability, food heritage and cultural memory, encouraging us to look more closely at the everyday foods we may take for granted.

🌴 What is the history behind Caribbean food?🍲 How did different cultures influence Caribbean cuisine?🌍 How did migration shape the foods we eat?🌱 What can food tell us about sustainability and our relationship with the land?📖 How do recipes preserve family and cultural memory?🔎 What happens when we become curious about where our food comes from?

The next time you sit down to eat, ask yourself:

Where did this dish come from?

Who grew the ingredients?

Who brought them?

Who changed the recipe?