How salt shaped Jamaica’s culture and subcultures

Hema is joined by Alyssa Bertrand Sperry, a retired pastry chef turned academic and historian, about her research on the historical and cultural significance of salt in Jamaica. Starting with the colonial era and the Spanish followed by the British, they explore the transition of Jamaica from a salt-producing island to a sugar-centric economy, the role of women in salt production, and the spiritual and practical implications of salt in the lives of Jamaican Maroon and Rastafarian communities.

Alyssa shares how she got the nickname ‘Salt Woman’ and the amusing quest to find an out-of-the-way salt pond in Jamaica, complete with rum and a game of dominoes.

Alyssa talks about her research methodology and the importance of honouring the voices of the communities she studied. The conversation highlights the multifaceted nature of salt, its impact on culture, and the ongoing relevance in understanding Caribbean history.

About Alyssa Bertrand (Sperry)

Alyssa Bertrand (Sperry) is a leading expert on salt, and its relationship to Jamaican culture(s). As a former chef, and historical ethnographer she provides insight into the role salt played in the development of culture and identities among the Maroons and Rastafarians by understanding salt’s role during the Atlantic Slave Trade and how it shaped the cultural identities of the past and present.

Alyssa received her master’s degree at the Department of Global Studies at the University of Oregon and her bachelor’s degree at Washington State University in Anthropology and History. Alyssa has received numerous awards and grants for her research including the Oregon International Research Grant, Folger Shakespeare Library Scholarship, and Library Research Excellence Award at Washington State University. Alyssa is also a contributing writer to the books Salt in Eastern North America and the Caribbean (University of Alabama Press, 2021) and Women Who Changed the World (ABC-CLIO, 2021). She also published an article in the World History Connected, “Eating Jamaica: How Food is Used to as a Tool to Create and Reinforce Cultural Identity,” (Vol. 18, No.1, 2021). Currently,

Alyssa serves on the board of Friends of Jamaica, a non-profit organization, helping to raise funds and provide grants to community-based projects around the island of Jamaica.

Resources and Links

Remembering Jah Calo

William Berryman art

Episodes Referenced

Caribbean Foodways with Dr. Candice Goucher

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) https://uppbeat.io/t/andrey-rossi/jerk-sauce

The Story of the Turtlemen: Navigating the Waters of Caribbean History

Who are the turtlemen of the Cayman Islands? In this episode of The Moreish Podcast, Sharika Crawford, historian and author of The Last Turtleman of the Caribbean delves into the history and cultural significance of sea turtle hunting in the Caribbean, particularly focusing on the turtlemen of the Cayman Islands. She discusses the rich maritime culture that has often been overshadowed by plantation histories in the Caribbean, how turtle hunting evolved from a subsistence activity to a commercial enterprise, driven by demand for turtle meat and tortoiseshell products in global markets, the socio-economic dynamics of turtle hunting, including the class structures that emerged and the environmental implications.

Connect with Sharika Crawford

www.sharikacrawford.com

https://x.com/SharikaCrawfo17

The Last Turtlemen of the Caribbean Waterscapes of Labor, Conservation, and Boundary Making

Episodes referenced

Caribbean Foodways with Dr. Candice Goucher

Resources and Articles

Lions in Africa: Lincoln University Alumni in Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana, 1951–1966

Dr. Archie Carr

The Sea Around Us, Rachel Carson

Peter Matthiessen

World History Connected review of The Last Turtlemen

Support the show

What is moreish? | more·​ish ˈmōrish | informal, of food, causing a desire for more

If you are enjoying the podcast, consider supporting the show to help us continue to make great content. Join us on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to continue the conversation. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) https://uppbeat.io/t/andrey-rossi/jerk-sauce

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Exploring Caribbean Identity, Food, and Family Stories with Marie Mitchell

Marie Mitchell, a chef, writer, and author of Kin: Caribbean Recipes for the Modern Kitchen joins Hema to talk about her Caribbean heritage and stories through the lens of her narrative cookbook, that blends Caribbean history, culture, and cuisine.

Marie’s book shares an intimate look at her family's journey, sadness & joy, and their resilience, plus her personal journey of connecting with her roots through cooking. Highlighting the significance of her family's legacy and the broader Caribbean experience, Marie's insights offer a profound exploration of identity, loss, and resilience. Listen to discover how food can serve as a bridge to understanding and celebrating the vibrant and layered Caribbean culture.

Connect with Marie MitchellWebsite

Instagram

Slow Rituals on Substack

Kin: Caribbean Recipes for the Modern Kitchen

Episodes mentioned:Culinary Colonialism with Keja Valens

Photo Credit: Chiron Cole

Support the show

What is moreish? | more·​ish ˈmōrish | informal, of food, causing a desire for more

If you are enjoying the podcast, consider supporting the show to help us continue to make great content.Join us on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to continue the conversation.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!) https://uppbeat.io/t/andrey-rossi/jerk-sauce