Haitian Bleu coffee unavailable
The devastating earthquake in southwestern Haiti occasioned a report that Haitian Bleu coffee is unavailable in North America. Coffee has long been a major crop in the island nation, but it was "ordinary" coffee and not premium coffee. In the early 1990s US aid workers encouraged Haitian farmers to grow a premium coffee that became known as Haitian Bleu. It was similar to--but less expensive than--the much prized Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. Unfortunately, Haitian coffee farms were badly damaged by a hurricane in 2008. What small crops have been produced since then have gone entirely to France. For more, see here.Posted by David Fahey on January 19, 2010 at 10:18 AM in Coffee, Haiti, Jamaica | Permalink
Alcoholism and the search for morality in Jamaica (article)
Brian L. Moore and Michle A. Johnson, "'Drunk and Disorderly': Alcoholism and the Search for 'Morality' in Jamaica, 1865-1920," Journal of Caribbean History 42/2 (2008): 155-186.
Posted by David Fahey on August 11, 2009 at 06:52 PM in Alcoholism, Jamaica | Permalink
Cannabis and West Indian migration (article)
James Mills, "Cannabis, Colour and West Indian Migration to Britain, 1945 to 1960,"Revue Francaise de Civilisation Britannique 14/3 (2007): 103-114.
Posted by David Fahey on November 8, 2008 at 05:30 PM in Cannabis, Jamaica | Permalink
Hurricanes and coffee
Recent hurricanes threaten Jamaica's coffee production. For details, see here.
Posted by David Fahey on September 26, 2008 at 09:15 AM in Coffee, Jamaica | Permalink
Drunkenness in the West Indies (article)
Claire E. Swan, "'A life of debauchery, vice and drunkenness': the journal of Jonathan Troup, or two years in the West Indies," Scottish Archives 12 (2006): 29-41.
Posted by David Fahey on October 30, 2007 at 04:59 PM in Alcoholism, Jamaica, Scotland | Permalink
British West Indies garrison, 1792-1815 (dissertation)
Robin Walter McCarter, "Johnny Newcome's poison: alcohol use and abuse in the British West Indies garrison, 1792-1815" (Ph.D. dissertation, University of Connecticut, 2001).
Posted by David Fahey on August 4, 2007 at 02:58 PM in Alcoholism, Jamaica | Permalink
Tobacco in 17th cent. England and Jamaica (article)
Georgia L. Fox, "Interpreting Socioeconomic Changes in 17th-Century England and Port Royal, Jamaica, Through Analysis of the Port Royal Kaolin Clay Pipes," International Journal of Historical Archaeology 6/1 (March 2002): 61-78.
Posted by David Fahey on November 16, 2006 at 06:45 PM in Britain, Jamaica, Tobacco | Permalink
Corpse pickled in rum
According to this Reuters report, a group of Hungarian workers found the body of man in a cask of rum. It had been in there for twenty years. The rum had a "special taste" which the enjoyed until the discovery. Reminds me of an Edgar Allan Poe story.
Posted by Jon on July 4, 2006 at 12:10 PM in Hungary, Jamaica, Literature, Rum | Permalink
'Wisdom Weed'
A website entitled 'The Afrocentric Experience: Ganja - The Herb of Inspiration' can be found here. The site outlines the role of marijuana in the religious and cultural life of Rastafarians from the Caribbean, the United States, Europe and Africa.
Posted by Cynthia on June 18, 2005 at 01:59 PM in Africa, Cannabis, Caribbean, Jamaica, Religion, United States | Permalink
Alcohol In Caribbean Slave Societies
An essay by Frederick H. Smith, entitled "Spirits And Spirituality: Alcohol In Caribbean Slave Societies," can be found here.
Posted by Cynthia on March 15, 2005 at 08:41 PM in Africa, Alcohol (general), Barbados, Beer, Britain, Caribbean, French Caribbean, Jamaica, Portugal, Rum, Tobacco, Wine | Permalink