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-   -   Buy ackee (https://www.fodors.com/community/caribbean-islands/buy-ackee-550305/)

mariaa Aug 8th, 2005 07:49 PM

Buy ackee
 
Hi,
I'm currently living in Australia, and I want to buy ackee. My husband is jamaican and I'd like to surprise him with a Jamaican breakfast for his birthday.
Does anyone know a company exporting ackee?? I was trying to find an online shop or something, but I didn't find anything.
Please help!!!!!!!
Thanks,
Maria

joan Aug 8th, 2005 11:47 PM

What a nice idea! Have you tried these?

http://www.centralfoodpackers.com/index.html

http://www.wifglobal.com/Jamaican%20ackee.htm

tivertonhouse Aug 9th, 2005 02:34 AM

Your husband will be sorely disappointed by CANNED ackee -- it's just not the same thing, even if you add lots of scotch bonnet. Call/query
the Jamaican embassy in Canberra -- or a consultate. Chances are, if ackee's available, they'll know how to get it fresh.

Diana Aug 9th, 2005 04:01 AM

Good luck!

I have been unable to find any ackee here in the States, and the reasoning I found on the websites I did look at was that the US is uncomfortable importing it because it can be poisonous if not processed properly.

I think you can get it in canned form here, but as tiv mentions, I can only imagine that it would pale in comparison to the real thing.

I have been dreaming of ackee ever since having it for breakfast along with jerk sausage at Jamaica Inn last year.

We had a cab driver who said when it's in season, he could eat it every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Yummy stuff! Good luck on your search.

jacketwatch Aug 9th, 2005 04:10 AM

Agree with above. If not processed well it is poisonous. Is there anything else you can get for a Jamaican dinner such as jerk chicken, Ting (soft drink) or blue mountain coffee? Nice idea and good luck!

tivertonhouse Aug 10th, 2005 03:54 AM

Boiled green banana, cocotea/or green ganja tea, some pawpaw/orange papaya with lime, fresh squeezed oj -- and for later on, available by mail from [email protected]: Father Esau's 'Love Potion' (a Jamaican 'roots juice') with some jerk pork/chicken/fish/lobster with his 'XX-Plosion Hot Sauce'. See The Blue Hole Gardens on jamaicaescapes.com to contact Esau Kerr directly.

mariaa Aug 10th, 2005 08:45 PM

Hi everybody!
Thanks for your help. I'm actually looking for the canned ackee, as I know about the problems with the reall thing. I used the canned ackee before, when I was living in NY. It's not the same, but it's good enough for us.
Thanks for your tip Joan, one of the places you suggested actually exports it (quite expensive because of the shipping, but it's an option). I couldn't get through the other one (centralfoodpackers) but I'll try again.
Thanks again,
Maria

curiousx Aug 11th, 2005 03:14 AM

why not contact the Yeah Maan restaurant in Melbourne and see what they do. It's the only (far as I know) Jamaican resto in Oz. Here's the info I took off the web re address and phone

340 Punt Rd
Corner Fawkner Street & Punt Road
South Yarra
Melway Map Ref: 58 C4
Contact Information:
Ph/Fax: 03 9820 2707


ScottB Aug 11th, 2005 06:07 AM

I have never heard of ackee. Can someone please enlighten me? By the way everyone is talking about it, I've been missing out on our travels to the islands....

alya Aug 11th, 2005 07:23 AM

Scott,

You're kidding! Right?

Saltfish and ackee is the national dish of Jamaica.

I didn't care for it personally, it reminded me of scrambled egg. :-) I preferred the patties - YUM!!!!

jray Aug 11th, 2005 08:38 AM

Give Scptty a break...atleast he is inquiring about it. On you next trip to JAMAICA you should try it.

tivertonhouse Aug 11th, 2005 08:45 AM

Google 'bloomfield great house, jamaica' and go to the HOME page which will bring up great pix of ackee, a vegetable pod that grows on a tree, originally African. When ripe, the red skin pods pop open to reveal lobes of yellow flesh and shiny big black seeds.
The flesh is usually sauteed with onion, garlic, thyme, Scotch bonnet peppers' sal'fish or salt cod thoroughly rinsed is added to make the national breakfast/anytime dish. The consistency is like firm scrambled eggs.
The tree fruit pod is poisonous until it is fully ripe -- therein the ban on imports to States, tho sometimes you can find it -- and guineps -- in Florida.

ScottB Aug 11th, 2005 08:48 AM

Thanks....never been to Jamaica, so maybe that's why I never heard of it.

alya Aug 11th, 2005 08:55 AM

jray,

I assume your post was directed at me, if so I suggest you re-read my post. I did try it and didn't really care for it.

Why did you write Jamaica in capitals? I didn't do a typo.

Scott, sorry if I was abrupt, I didn't mean to offend you. :-(

ScottB Aug 11th, 2005 11:30 AM

Thanks, but no need to apologize, I wasn't offended by your post.

alya Aug 11th, 2005 11:38 AM

Scott, Cool! glad that's sorted out.

Having re-read the post I also think that Jray was suggesting that YOU try the ackee not me.

Perhaps I'm just feeling 'tender' today :-)

jray Aug 11th, 2005 12:07 PM

Alya,

Because I woulb be a bit hesitant to eat ackee on any other island other than Jamaica!

toniakjones Sep 20th, 2005 07:03 PM

I just finished my dinner of ackee and saltfish and came upon this conversation. I cook it from the can quite often, the trick is not to smash the ackee. My husband is Jamaican, so when we travel to Jamaica we smuggle it back in our suitcases : )

Joan, thanks for the websites to purchase ackee.

joan Sep 21st, 2005 04:34 AM

You're welcome, tonka!((F))

liza Sep 21st, 2005 01:31 PM

OK, that's it, I'm trying canned.


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