Fish Tea (Soup)

Jamaican Fish Tea is what I’d describe as a light soup or a broth soup. That’s because “real” Jamaican soups are thick, hearty and more like a stew. Also, unlike other Jamaican soups, fish tea can be made in less than an hour! Traditionally fish tea is made with small inexpensive fish like herring or sprat, but you can use any fish you like. 

The Fish Tea is typically served in a small foam cup, but can be served as a meal as a soup. This hot and tasty Jamaican fish soup is speedy, spicy, easy to make and full of flavour. Many Jamaicans eat fish soup, especially vegetarians and SOME Rastafarians. The preparation is quick and easy and the ingredients can be found in any supermarket or local grocery store.  Fish soup is not only a Jamaican recipe but a recipe for other Caribbean islands as well.

This is just for flavour. 

Ingredients:

1.Half of a pumpkin

2. Carrots 3. Potatoes 5. Green bananas 5. Yellow yam 

6. Scallion 7. One green hot pepper 8. Thyme 9. Pimento seeds 10. Grace Fish Tea Mix (this is just for flavor)  

11. Fish 

Directions:

1. Rinse the fish with vinegar and lime then put them in a basin with salt and lime 2. Cut the vegetables up 3. Put the pumpkin and carrots in the pot to boil over medium heat while other vegetables soak in water 4. Add the rest of vegetables 

5. Put whole slice(s) of fish to cook for about 10 minutes 6. Take out the fish and de-bone it (optional) but If you don’t plan on de-boning the fish then you don’t have to put the fish in so early. 

7. Let cook for 30 minutes 8. Season the water with the green hot pepper, scallion, thyme, pimento seeds, butter and fish tea mix. 

9. Put de-boned fish in the pot 10. Let pot boil for an hour or until all ingredients are cooked. 

11. Fish soup anyone? 

SIDE NOTE: You don’t have to season the fish because you will be seasoning the pot, which will give the fish flavor. Always keep an eye on your pot because you don’t want the pepper to burst. Take it out before the soup is finished cooking if you think you will forget. You can also add dumplings if you want.