The Country Food Similarity Index is a statistically-based attempt to quantify how similar the food in one country is relative to another. By comparing the weight of raw food ingredients used in each country, a score is assigned that reflects the degree of similarity between the respective countries. The methodology is exactly the same for each country studied.
The Most Similar Cuisines to Jamaican Food
The five countries with the most similar food to Jamaica are located on islands around the Caribbean Sea. They have have been influenced by African and European culinary traditions. All five countries were once British colonies and use English as their official language.
- Bahamas and Jamaica make ample use of fresh ingredients, aromatic spices, and tropical fruits. Jerk Chicken is popular in both countries. In addition, both countries love seafood. However, codfish is more prevalent in Jamaican cuisine, while Bahamians tend to eat more conch.
- Grenada is located between Trinidad and St. Vincent. Both of their cuisinesheavily rely on locally sourced ingredients, including tropical fruits, root vegetables, seafood, and spices. Their food is known for bold and spicy flavors. Both countries have a version of rice and peas as a staple dish, with only subtle differences.
- Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica are known for their bold and flavorful use of spices. Curry and Roti are popular in both cuisines. However, one difference is that Trinidad has more of an Indian influence on its cuisine, since a much higher percentage of its people have South Asian heritage.
- Barbados is close to Grenada and Trinidad. Both nations enjoy fresh seafood, since most of their people live close to the sea. Fish, shrimp, crab, and lobster are commonly used in dishes. Fried foods are common as well. Their cuisines have variations of peas and rice dishes. These countries also consume a lot of tropical fruits like coconuts and bananas.
- St. Lucia and Jamaica have cuisines that are rooted in Caribbean traditions, but showcase distinct flavors and dishes that reflect the unique cultural influences of each island. Fried dumplings are a popular side in both Saint Lucian and Jamaican cuisines. These countries also tend to eat a lot of fruits and seafood.
Related: The 10 Most Similar Countries to Jamaica
The Least Similar Cuisines to Jamaican Food
Although the majority of the people in Jamaica have African ancestry, four of the five countries with the least similar food tare actually located in Africa. However, in contrast to Jamaica, they are all landlocked. Furthermore, they are less developed as well. Still, relatively few countries have food that is far different from Jamaica, due to its diverse influences.
- South Sudan‘s diet in large part consists of cassava and sorghum. Furthermore, beef is the most commonly consumed meat in the South Sudan, while seafood and chicken are more popular in Jamaica .
- Chad is a mostly Muslim country in the Sahel region of Africa. Sorghum and millet are the two most commonly consumed grains there. These crops are well adapted to the region’s harsh climate. Peanuts and sesame seeds are also commonly parts of their cuisine.
- Turkmenistan is a Central Asian country that was once part of the Soviet Union. Wheat, potatoes, and lamb are key ingredients in Turkmen cuisine. The country’s culinary traditions reflect the rich nomadic heritage of the Turkmen people.
- Zambia is characterized by staples like nshima, a maize-based porridge served with various stews. In contrast, Jamaican cuisine is known for its bold flavors, with jerk seasoning playing a prominent role in dishes like jerk chicken and jerk pork.
- Burundi is yet another French-speaking African country on this list. It is located in the Great Lakes region of Africa, so freshwater fish are the country’s biggest source of meat. Its diet is in large part based on cassava, sweet potatoes, plantains, and bananas.
Related: The 10 Least Similar Countries to Jamaica
Full Food Similarity Ranking of Countries and Territories
Jamaica’s Most Common Food Ingredients
Protein: Chicken, Saltwater Fish
Fruit: Banana, Orange
Vegetable: Pumpkin, Chili Pepper
Starch: Wheat, Yam
Primarily based on 2020 data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the U.N.
