Clueless in Jamaica: a German vegetarian in search of 'noseberries'

Laura Koch, Gleaner Intern

For a journalist, there is nothing more irritating than to know nothing about a topic.

I was sent to cover the Maggi farmers' market in New Kingston in February. But that was not the issue.

What confused me was the request of one of my colleagues: "Please, bring me six ripe tangerines and six turn and green naseberries." I had no clue what she was talking about. Tangerines? I am used to mandarins only. Plus, my serious question, "You want me to bring NOSEberries?" made the whole editors' desk laugh.

Here is a confession: I am German and it's my first time in Jamaica. But as a person who has lived the vegetarian lifestyle for roughly 11 years, I thought I would know the rainbow-coloured world of fruits and veggies.

I was so wrong.

At the market, I met Allison Cummings, a farmer who set off from St Thomas to sell her goods to city citizens that day. "Especially the exotic fruits, so to say," she explained. "Like starapples, starfruits, sweetsop, and so on." These products may not be original, but they are typically Jamaican. However, they rarely reach the uptown supermarkets - and when they do, pockets hurt. "We have those things in the country, but they circle mostly in the country," the vendor added.

New Kingston customer Marion Grant stated: "Most prices at the market are reasonable. It would be nice to have a market where I live because otherwise, I have to take the bus to go all the way downtown," added Grant, referring to the famous Coronation Market.

'POOR PEOPLE AFFAIR'

Farmers' markets appear to be more of a 'poor people's affair in Jamaica'. Those who can afford it rather shop in supermarkets.

In Germany, it's the other way round. In the past few years, our 'uptown' people began to long for the idea of 'idyllic' country life. This entails an increasing number of vegetarians and vegans (no animal products at all) and a bunch of organic supermarkets.

But what are really popular are the weekly farmers' markets in the city centres. They became an institution for those who can pay more. Indeed, the open-air markets are more expensive than supermarkets in Germany. The reasons for this are that the majority of products are organic, locally planted, and, therefore, you can meet the farmer personally.

VEGGIE LOVER

I am a German vegetarian who stresses at this point that I absolutely love my veggie Jamaican food. First, I can afford it. Second, you have this strange-looking breadfruit, green callaloo, ackee, and much more in store. Sometimes I can only guess what I am eating, but it's adventurous for my mouth and healthy as well.

So, dear Jamaican farmers, thank you for working hard to provide food for the people!

As Owen White, a Rastaman who was selling grapefruits and lemons at the farmers' market, told me: "We are important because people depend on farmers." Word!

By the way, I found tangerines, but they were not ripe. Yes, my mandarin-trained brain said so. Unfortunately, I also couldn't bring noseberries. I asked the farmers for help, but they couldn't detect that mysterious fruit either. I swear!

Laura Koch is a German intern. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and laura.koch@gleanerjm.com