Caribbean Pantry
Ackee
Jamaica's national fruit, eaten as a savoury and harvested only when it smiles.
Aki · Ackee · Seso vegetal
Quick facts
- Origin
- West Africa, brought to Jamaica in the 18th century
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Flavour profile
- Buttery, delicate, faintly nutty
- Seasonality
- January to March, June to August
- Category
- Fruits
- Aliases
- Akee, Vegetable brain
- Calories / 100g
- 151 kcal
Caribbean Pantry
The story behind this ingredient
Ackee must open naturally on the tree before it is safe to eat — a rule passed down orally for generations and now written into Jamaican food law.
Culinary uses: Ackee and saltfish · Patties · Rice dishes
Recipes with Ackee
Caribbean Culinary Ecosystem