Spices/Seasonings: Curry powder, geera, turmeric, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, mustard seeds, chadon beni, thyme

Spices & Seasonings of Northern Trinidad & Tobago: Green seasoning 

• Black pepper

• Paprika

• All-purpose seasoning blends

• Chilli flakes

• Cayenne pepper

• Parsley

• Mustard & worcestershire sauce

• Curry powder

      Urban/Coastal Influence

Spices & Seasonings of Southern Trinidad & Tobago: Geera

• Turmeric

• Amchar Masala 

• Curry leaf

• Fenugreek

• Chilli Peppers

• Garlic

• Chadon Beni

• Bandhania

• Pimento

       Rural/Agricultural Influence

Famous Dishes: 

• Callaloo (made with dasheen leaves, okra, coconut milk, and crab or pigtail)

• Stewed chicken, pork, and beef

• Macaroni pie

• Bake and shark

• Doubles: A popular street food of two bara (fried flatbreads) filled with curried chickpeas (channa)

• Roti: Flatbreads, like paratha (buss-up-shut) and dhalpuri, are served with a variety of curried fillings, such as chicken, goat, duck, shrimp, and vegetables

• Curried duck: This is a beloved specialty in Southern and Central Trinidad, with curry cook-offs drawing large crowds.

• Pholourie: Fried, spiced split pea dough balls served with chutney

  Desserts:

• Black cake: A traditional Christmas fruitcake made with dried fruit soaked in cherry liqueur and dark rum for months in advance

• Cassava pone: A dense, gooey, and spiced pudding made with grated cassava, pumpkin, coconut, and sweet potato

• Kurma: Small, crunchy pieces of fried dough coated in a sugary glaze

• Barfi: A milk-based fudge that is creamy and spiced, often with a festive touch

• Sawine: A festive dessert made with vermicelli noodles, milk, raisins, and spices like cinnamon. It is often prepared for the Muslim holiday of Eid ul-Fitr

• Tamarind balls: A sweet and sour treat made from the pulp of tamarind fruit, often rolled in sugar

  References:

• Sarina. (2025, April 14). 7 Sweet Trini Treats: Preserving Trinidadian desserts. TriniGourmet.com. https://trinigourmet.com/7-sweet-trini-treats-preserving-trinidadian-desserts/

• Sarina. (2025a, March 31). Master Trinidadian Cooking with These 10 Spices. TriniGourmet.com. https://www.trinigourmet.com/master-trinidadian-cooking-with-these-10-spices/

• Rondon, X. L., & Paradise, N. (2024, July 11). Trinidad and Tobago Food - a local’s guide to cutters, fritters, and 20 other dishes to enjoy. Nomad Paradise. https://nomadparadise.com/trinidad-and-tobago-food/#:~:text=First%2Dgeneration%20Indo%2DTrinidadians%20often,and%20ghee%20with%20coconut%20milk

• Hanson, S. (2022, October 12). 5 essential spices in the Southern Caribbean. https://current.seabourn.com/article/5-essential-spices-in-the-southern-caribbean

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