Jamaica has the most "churches" per square mile of any country in the world. I concur the same amount for pubs. It is no joke, but as you drive through and about the island, there isn't a shortage of pubs or 'rum bars' as they are commonly called.
Rum has been apart of the people of Jamaica for centuries and is one of the major liquors in the world, with a history steeped in the myths of piracy, the Caribbean, and slavery. The first true rums were made in the Caribbean during the early 17th century. It is a distilled beverage made from sugarcane by-products such as molasses and sugarcane juice by a process of fermentation and distillation.
Jamaica is well known for its rich, aromatic Rums and plays a part in the culture of most islands of the West Indies. Jamaican Rum such as J. Wray and Nephew is one of the most popular in the world.
John Wray rum industry can be dated back as far as 1825. In 1860, Wray had become a successful rum merchant and he brought his 22-year-old nephew, Charles James Ward, into the business hence the company’s name, "J. Wray and Nephew".
The history of Rum is like the history of sugar. The Caribbean basin proved to have an ideal climate for growing sugar cane, and sugar production quickly spread around the islands. In Jamaica, it is also used as cold remedy, with other things added, pour a libation, and flavor other non-alcoholic beverages. We also use it as a rub to fend off nausea. For high fever, the rum was use to rubbed the body from head to feet and inhaled.
Jamaicans are truly unique. Rum is also use to fend-off unwelcome spirits (ghost or duppy). Some will admit and some won’t but when a Jamaican building a house and dig the foundations, they will sprinkle rum on and around the site to prevent worker from getting hurt and keep the evil spirits from entering the house upon completion.
Jamaican Rum is the only strong drink that is use at nine-night celebrations. Nine-night is the ninth day after a person is deceased where friends, family and well-wishers gather and celebrate the life of the person. A game of domino is played while many sing and dance as the good ‘ole’ Jamaican Rum is shared among them.
Another popular Jamaican Rum is Appleton. Rum and coke is a favorite order at the bar by the locals and especially the females. This mix is very light and smooth to the taste but too much, too fast and you’ll have a “creeper” on your hands like any other liquor.
Not all Jamaicans appreciate and take part in the consumption of the rum. Except for Christians who consider rum drinking a sin but will welcome the medicinal applications in certain circumstances, the Rastafarians are famous for calling Jamaica Rum the "devils soup," among other names.
It is said that Jamaica is the crowned king of Caribbean rums, winning numerous prizes and awards from the eighteen (18) centuries. So you should enjoy Jamaica Rum to your desire and just like anything else, moderation is the key.
Source: Jamaican-Recipes.com, Jamaica-Gleaner.com
