More than jerk chicken, beaches and Carnival, the cultures of the Caribbean is unique and diverse with influences from all over the world. Join Hema and guests on The Moreish Podcast as they talk about the history of the Caribbean, and how history influences current day culture and cuisine. The Moreish Podcast: Where Caribbean history meets culture and cuisine.
What is moreish? | more·ish ˈmōrish | informal, of food, causing a desire for more
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Jamaica: The connection between salt and spirituality with Alyssa Sperry Bertrand
Season 3 · Episode 13
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 • Duration 55:44
How salt shaped Jamaica’s culture and subcultures
Hema is joined by Alyssa Sperry Bertrand, 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 Sperry Bertrand
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.
Book Talk: The Last Turtlemen of the Caribbean with Sharika D. Crawford
Season 3 · Episode 12
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 • Duration 01:14:25
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.
The History of Guyana with Melissa, West Indian Diplomacy
Melissa Goolcharran Ramnauth, Editor-in-Chief of West Indian Diplomacy, shares her knowledge of the history of Guyana on this episode of the podcast.
From the early Indigenous peoples to the colonial power struggles between the Dutch and the British, Hema and Melissa dive into key historical moments in Guyanese history: the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade taking enslaved African people to Guyana to work on plantations, the abolition of slavery leading to indentured labourers from India, China and Portugal, to modern history including the declaration of independence from the Crown, and why the United States interfered in the early elections between the two main political parties.
Melissa’s passion for researching the history of Guyana comes through in all of her work, including her petition to digitize the records of enslaved Africans and Indian indentured servants in Guyana.
Exploring Caribbean Culture through Foodways with Dr. Candice Goucher
In this episode Hema chats with guest Dr. Candice Goucher, author of "Congotay! Congotay! A Global History of Caribbean Food," about the dynamic and fraught history of Caribbean food and culture.
From the reconstruction of Caribbean culture, the contributions of Indigenous, African, Indian, Chinese, and European peoples to Caribbean culture & cuisine, and the significant role of food in preserving history and culture, Hema and Dr. Goucher discuss the concept of creolization, the impact of European colonization, and the importance of everyday cooks in the Caribbean narrative.
The period of colonization had a lasting impact on the food and culture of the Caribbean, and in her book Dr. Goucher shares the impact that the Caribbean nations had on global culture & cuisine.
Listen to this episode for the survival and adaptation of food traditions amidst historical adversities, how these have contributed to the culinary landscape, and insights into how food history can reveal complex cultural exchanges that shaped the Caribbean.
Dr. Goucher provides insights into Caribbean foodways and history from her perspective as an African historian and archaeologist, Professor Emerita of History at Washington State University, and author of many books on Africa, the Caribbean, and world history. She is a recipient of the World History Association's Pioneers in World History Award for lifetime achievement. Her books on food have won Gourmand awards, including Congotay! Congotay! A Global History of Caribbean Food (2014) and Picnics and Porcupines: Eating in the Wilderness of Michigan's Upper Peninsula (2024).
Welcome to Season 3 of The Moreish Podcast! We kick off with Toronto-based storyteller and podcaster Kesha Christie’s rendition of a humorous Grenadian folktale, 'The Lady and Her Three Sons,' which highlights the Caribbean tradition of descriptive nicknames.
Hema and Kesha chat about the cultural significance of nicknames, superstitions, and community spirit within the Caribbean diaspora, and they share their thoughts on why these stories and traditions are essential to preserving their heritage.
Through the conversation, we get a bonus tale as Kesha also shares a personal story about discovering her mother's nickname.
Listen in for an engaging folktale from Grenada told by Kesha Christie, and a lively discussion about Caribbean stories.
Caribbean Christmas Traditions and an Anansi story with Kesha Christie
In the final Caribbean folklore episode of 2025, Kesha shares some traditions and unique ways different Caribbean nations celebrate at Christmas, including bamboo bursting and Junkanoo, plus some of the favourite food & drink made at the end of the year. Of course, an episode with Kesha is not complete without a folktale and this time it’s Anansi and Sorrel.
One Caribbean: Exploring Dominican Folklore and Storytelling
In this final folklore episode of this season of The Moreish Podcast, Kesha and Hema celebrate the interconnectedness of Caribbean culture through stories. The episode features a bit of a dark folktale from the Dominican Republic about Joe, a lazy young man who makes a deal with Death to become rich. The story's undertones reflect the island's religious beliefs, and the discussion delves into how such tales highlight the shared yet diverse heritage of the Caribbean. They conclude by reflecting on the deep-rooted cultural ties that make the Caribbean a unique and shared historical experience.
Debunking the Irish-Caribbean Connection: Unravelling Myths and Historical Realities
Dr. Ellen Howley joins Hema to discuss the complex and nuanced history between Ireland and the Caribbean.
In the context of Irish history from the 17th century, the British Empire, and the forced migration under Cromwell, Dr. Howley shares the complexity of some Irish people being sent to the Caribbean as indentured servants, while others chose to go and even prospered under the British Empire.
The Irish presence in the Caribbean, particularly on islands like Montserrat and Barbados, remains today, including the ongoing St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Montserrat.
Dr. Ellen Howley is an assistant professor at Dublin City University's School of English. Her book Oceanic Connections: The Sea in Irish and Caribbean Poetry will be published by Syracuse University Press later this year. The book examines how anglophone poets from Ireland and the Caribbean write about the sea. She completed her PhD in 2020 and has published work in academic journals and online publications.
Why the Ground Lizard Doesn't Sleep in Trees Anymore - A St. Martin / Sint Maarten Story
Hema and Kesha continue to delve into the fascinating, fun and informative folktales from the Caribbean. This week Kesha shares a story from St. Martin/St. Maarten that explains why ground lizards no longer sleep in trees. Through this short folk story, we learn about Sammy, the ground lizard, tamarind trees and the twin island of St. Martin / Sint Maarten. This one small Caribbean island in the Lesser Antilles is divided into two, with one side belonging to the French Republic and the other side belonging to the Kington of the Netherlands.
Alongside the tale, the hosts discuss the cultural blend of Dutch and French influences on the island, emphasizing the richness of Caribbean folklore and traditions. They also touch on the significance of tamarind and other regional linguistic variations, while reflecting on the broader historical impact of colonization on the Caribbean islands.
A Deep Dive into Caribbean Culinary History with Keshia Sakarah
In this episode of The Moreish Podcast, host Hema chats with Keshia Sakarah, a self-taught chef, food writer, and educator of Montserratian and Barbudian descent. Based on topics raised in her first book Caribe A Caribbean Cookbook with History they explore the rich history of the Caribbean and its influence on contemporary food and culture. From the Indigenous names for each nation, unique ingredients used in everyday cooking and a plethora of recipes, the conversation celebrates the diverse and resilient heritage of Caribbean people and cuisine.
The discussion delves into Keshia’s personal connection to the Caribbean, the immigrant experience in her home in the UK, and the evolution of traditional recipes. The episode provides enlightening insights into how Caribbean cuisine maintains its authenticity while adapting to new environments.
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