Paramaribo 55°W
Cayenne / Cocoa / Vanilla / Annatto
Rondo and Cabernet Cortis Rosé
Agave syrup
The capital and largest city in Suriname, Paramaribo was originally a Dutch trading post established in 1613 by Nicolaes Baliestel and Dirck Claeszoon van Sanen.
The name Paramaribo is probably a corruption of the name of an Indian village, spelled ‘Parmurbo’ in the earliest Dutch sources.
Place in a tall glass filled with ice, top up with tonic water, lemonade, or plain soda. Garnish with a few slices of chili pepper and some crushed mint leaves.
Cayenne
The flavour of cayenne is defined by a hot, fiery effect on the taste buds, also described as earthy-spicy.
The cayenne pepper is a type of capsicum annuum, a moderately-hot chili pepper used to flavour dishes. The word cayenne is thought to be a corruption of the word kyynha meaning capsicum in the Old Tupi language once spoken in what is now Brazil. It is very probable that this is where the town Cayenne in French Guyana derives its name.
The fruits are generally dried and ground to make the powdered spice of the same name, although cayenne powder may be a blend of different types of peppers, quite often not containing cayenne peppers, and may or may not contain the seeds.
Originally used in Europe to prevent food spoilage, cayenne pepper is used in cooking either as a powder or in its whole form. It is also used as an herbal supplement, as Red chilies contain large amounts of vitamin C, significant amounts of vitamin A beta-carotene and are a rich source of vitamin B6. Continued consumption promotes a healthy heart and digestive tract, and can relieve migraines.
Cocoa
Similar in structure to coffee, unsweetened cocoa has bitter, roasted, fruity, earthy, and nutty flavour notes.
The cocoa bean is the dried and fully fermented seed of the cocoa tree and is the basis of chocolate. The cacao tree is native to Mexico and was first domesticated 5,300 years ago in equatorial South America, before being domesticated in Central America by the Olmecs. The cocoa bean was a common currency throughout Mesoamerica before the Spanish conquest.
The cocoa plant was first given its botanical name by Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus and was introduced to Europe by the Spanish. It became a popular beverage by the mid-17th century and has been enjoyed by millions ever since.
Cocoa is believed to contain high levels of antioxidants and some studies have suggested chocolate can lower both blood pressure and cholesterol, and also prevent memory decline.
Vanilla
Vanilla Beans have a sweet, perfumed aroma with both woody and smokey flavour notes.
Vanilla is a spice derived from the pods of the vanilla orchid and has been cultivated by pre-Columbian Mesoamerican people for thousands of years.
Three major species of vanilla currently are grown globally, all of which derive from a species originally found in Mesoamerica.
Thanks to its antioxidant content, vanilla is a potent anti-inflammatory substance and some of its traditional medicinal applications include treatment for fever, spasms, dysmenorrhea, blood clotting, and gastrointestinal distress.
Annatto
Annatto's scent is described as 'slightly peppery with a hint of nutmeg' with nutty, sweet flavour notes.
Annatto is derived from the seeds of the achiote tree native to tropical regions from Mexico to Brazil. It is often used to impart a yellow or orange color to foods, but also for its flavor and aroma.
The annatto tree is believed to originate in tropical regions from Mexico to Brazil. It was probably not initially used as a food additive, but for other purposes such as body painting, insect repellent, and for its health benefits which have come to be recognised as healthy eyes, better heart health, and reduced inflammation. It may also have antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties.
