Jamaican Jerk seasoning is a style of hot seasoning native to Jamaica. It’s not called jerk seasoning because it’s mean, rather, it comes from the Spanish word charqui, meaning dried meat, and is the origin of the English word jerky. Jamaican jerk seasoning is a blend of allspice and scotch bonnet peppers. There may be other spices added to individual mixes, but allspice and scotch bonnet peppers are the key.
Jerk can be a spice rub or a marinade and is frequently applied to chicken to make jerked chicken. Or pork for jerked pork. Or beef for jerked beef. Or you can jerk shrimp or fish or even veggies. Really anything can be made spicy and delicious with the addition of jerk seasoning. Get authentic by cooking over an open pit fire made from an old oil barrel! So go tropical and make yourself some Jamaican jerk.