Sometimes called Easter buns, hot cross buns are a big part of Jamaican culture, just like several other representative foods such as saltfish or ackee.
The concept dates back to ancient Babylon, when cross buns were offered to Ishtar, the pagan queen of heaven.
The tradition found its way to England, where cross buns were eaten on Good Friday, with the cross symbolizing the crucifixion of Jesus.
Over time though the English version of the cross bun transitioned to the Jamaican version, with some key differences.
In Jamaica, you eat the bun with cheese, a combination that has become ingrained in island culture.
British custom has waned when it comes to eating hot cross buns as fasting food on Good Friday, but in Jamaica the practice is as prevalent as ever.
Today the custom is seen as more Jamaican than British. And eating cheese is now a year-round practice, while the bun and cheese dish is prevalent primarily during the Easter holiday.
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Eventually, Jamaicans re-possessed hot cross buns by replacing their honey with molasses and further developing it to suit local tastes, resulting in Bun. Bun & Cheese grew to become an integral feature of celebrating the Easter holiday in Jamaica. Families all across Jamaica eat Bun & Cheese to enjoy the holiday.
When the British captured Jamaica, they brought the cross bun custom to the island. Over time, Jamaica made the original English cross bun its own by using molasses in the mix instead of honey. And in Jamaica, the bun is eaten with cheese, a combination that is now an integral part of the island’s cuisine. In the present day, the custom of eating hot cross buns on Good Friday has waned in Britain, but it is still prevalent in Jamaica, with Bun and Cheese a dish eaten chiefly during the Easter holiday. Bun and Cheese is just one of the foods adapted from other cultures for Jamaican tastes. For example, rice, originally from China and India, has been incorporated with red peas to create the unique Jamaican dish of rice-and-peas. To enjoy some of the true flavor of Jamaica, be sure to sample Bun and Cheese at Easter to understand its popularity among locals.
The Easter holiday in Jamaica is marked by the enjoyment and delight of Easter Bun and Cheese. With a history that dates back to ancient Babylon’s hot cross buns, the Jamaican version is dear to the childhood memories of many Jamaicans. In Babylonia, cross buns were offered to Ishtar, the pagan queen of heaven. Similar cakes were made by ancient Greeks to honor the Moon. The tradition of baked goods as offerings to deities made its way to England, where cross buns were made and consumed on Good Friday with the cross understood as a symbol of the crucifixion.
Over time though the English version of the cross bun transitioned to the Jamaican version, with some key differences.
British custom has waned when it comes to eating hot cross buns as fasting food on Good Friday, but in Jamaica the practice is as prevalent as ever.
The tradition found its way to England, where cross buns were eaten on Good Friday, with the cross symbolizing the crucifixion of Jesus.
Today the custom is seen as more Jamaican than British. And eating cheese is now a year-round practice, while the bun and cheese dish is prevalent primarily during the Easter holiday.
Sometimes called Easter buns, hot cross buns are a big part of Jamaican culture, just like several other representative foods such as saltfish or ackee.
The History of Bun & Cheese
FAQ
What is the significance of bun and cheese in Jamaica?
Why do we eat bun and cheese?
Why do Jamaicans eat bun at Easter?
What is the history of the spiced bun in Jamaica?
Why do Jamaicans eat a bun and cheese sandwich?
Eventually, like with many other baked staple goods, Jamaicans added cheese into the mix and began the tradition of a bun and cheese sandwich. Although bun and cheese is sold all year long, there is a spike in sales during Easter because of the tradition.
Why do Jamaicans eat bun and cheese for Easter?
As for the cheese, it is said to represent the Last Supper and the breaking of bread. Therefore, the combination of bun and cheese during Easter in Jamaica holds religious and cultural significance. 1. What is the history behind Jamaicans eating bun and cheese for Easter?
Can you eat a Jamaican bun with cheese?
Jamaican bun is often paired with a strong cheddar cheese that complements the spiced flavor of the bun, creating a savory-sweet combination that is enjoyed by many. 9. Are there any religious or historical significance to consuming bun and cheese during Easter?
Why do Jamaicans eat cross buns?
When the British captured Jamaica, they brought the cross bun custom to the island. Over time, Jamaica made the original English cross bun its own by using molasses in the mix instead of honey. And in Jamaica, the bun is eaten with cheese, a combination that is now an integral part of the island’s cuisine.