Trinidad & Tobago for Food Security

Trinidad & Tobago is blessed with a wide variety of healthy fruits and vegetables. Many of them are being used by people today, to help prevent illnesses and keep the body healthy. Trinidad & Tobago is helping many countries with their food and nutrition needs.

COCONUT:

The coconut here is known for its versatility and the entire tree (fruit, leaves and trunk) are used and forms part of the daily diets of many people here. Almost every home has one or more coconut trees and coconut trees are grown in abundance in places like Cedros, Biche, Mayaro and Manzanilla in Trinidad. In Trinidad & Tobago, people benefit from the healthy and refreshing coconut water. Recently, a team of researchers has found that coconut water reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes, improves blood circulation and lowers blood pressure. Coconut water also moderates sugar absorption and contains cytokinins which reduce the development of cancerous cells. Coconut water is also used to treat stomach flu, dysentery, indigestion, intestinal worms, urinary infections and also reduces the size of kidney stones. Coconut water possesses the benefits of sports drinks because it contains components such as electrolytes, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium in their natural forms. There is also nice soft coconut jelly and of course the coconut milk is used to make delicious foods like callaloo, pone, paime, coconut drops, coconut sweetbread and coconut ice cream. The coconut oil is used for hair care and skin care as well. In the beauty industry, coconut oil is used to help remove raised moles, it is also used a lot to remove dirt and grime by massaging it into the skin, it is also used to even the skin tone for dark areas and spots on the skin, and it also works very quickly to heal pain or blisters in the gums. The coconut oil also has a long shelf life which makes it attractive for many kinds of food processing and baking. Coir (from the fibre of the coconut husk), is used in the making of ropes, mats, door mats, brushes, sacks, caulking for boats, stuffing fibre for mattresses. The coir is also used in horticulture in potting compost, especially in orchid mix and anthurium cultivation. The stiff mid-ribs of coconut leaves are used for making cocoyea brooms. The husk and shells from the coconut tree can be used for fuel and are a source of charcoal. Coconut shell husks can also be used to buff floors. Fresh coconut husks are also used as dish sponges or body sponges for bathing.

MALTA:

This energy drink is made locally at the Carib Brewery Limited in Champs Fleurs, Trinidad. It is a very healthy drink made of malted barley, hops extract and fortified with some vitamins too.

BREADFRUIT:

The breadfruit tree is grown widely here in Trinidad & Tobago. It is also very versatile, nutritious and is now enjoying a wave of global interest among celebrity chefs, food processors, researchers, nutritionists, investors, policy makers and environmentalists. Now successful breadfruit-based enterprises are now developing in many Caribbean economies. This breadfruit is meeting the region’s needs for food and nutrition security, also enhancing livelihoods, while carving out an international space with innovative downstream enterprises. This breadfruit can feed villages! In Trinidad & Tobago, one tree can yield from 30 to 200 fruits per season and there are two main varieties of the breadfruit-which are the ‘White’ and the ‘Yellow.’ The breadfruit is a perennial crop and can be a sustainable source of income and nutrition for a long period-for more than one generation. It also gives shelter and food for important plant pollinators and seed dispersers such as honeybees, birds and fruit bats. The breadfruit also epitomizes what sustainable agriculture is all about. The breadfruit is low in fat but nutrient rich and provides gluten-free carbohydrates of moderate glycemic index, valuable amounts of dietary fibre, carotenoids, vitamin c, calcium, potassium, essential fatty acids and a complete amino acid profile. The breadfruit is also great for people with diabetes and obesity problems! Small amounts of the breadfruit are now available as vacuum-packed slices, frozen chunks, chips, flour and flour products. Modern products from the breadfruit include muffins, pancakes, pizza, pies, cakes, ice cream, punches and liqueurs. From the breadfruit tree, even the wood is useful for furniture, construction and craft. Other plant parts, including the leaves, yield traditional medicines, organic insecticides and paper.

COCOA:

The cocoa in Trinidad and Tobago, especially from GRAN COUVA, is sought after by the world’s top food professionals. There is even a French brand called ‘Valrhona’ that uses our cocoa from GRAN COUVA to make special bars of chocolate, and it is rated as one of the top ten chocolate bars in the world! Cocoa began its long history in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1780s. The many cocoa estates, including abandoned cocoa estates present in the islands, testify to this. Today, cocoa estates are more common in the North of Trinidad (Toco, Maracas, Paria, and Blanchisseuse). Trinidad and Tobago’s cocoa is most prized because of its high quality, fine flavour, and distinct fruity taste. Since 1991, international demand for chocolate has been growing and the global market for chocolate is now peaking at around $114 billion US annually. There is a growing market for cocoa-based luxury products for hair care, sun creams and for liqueurs. There are potentially new opportunities in the sale of premium dark and specialty chocolates because of its many health benefits. In recent studies dark chocolate has been found to help provide heart support and to provide improved circulation and reduced blood pressure. Dark chocolate may also help relieve inflammation, improve mental cognition and performance, protect the eye’s sensitive tissues and nerves, normalize blood sugar levels, improve mood, boost metabolism, help control weight gain and reduce food cravings, even increase energy too. There are numerous products that can be produced from cocoa. Apart from making organic chocolates from cocoa, you can also get animal feed. The cocoa bean shells can be used as an organic mulch and soil conditioner for the garden. Potash from the cocoa pod husk can be used to make soaps as well. Other products made from cocoa include cocoa butter products for the cosmetics industry, soft drinks, jam, marmalade, tea, chocolate flavoured desserts such as ice cream, chocolate spreads and sauces, cakes and biscuits too. Cocoa is also used in the pharmaceutical industry.

RICE:

Trinidad & Tobago produces its own local rice and flour. Our National Flour Mills (NFM) produces the ‘Good N’ Natural’ brand of brown rice, which is 100 per cent local rice and rich in fibre. They also manufacture various types of flour including all-purpose flour, cassava flour, cake flour, self-rising flour, whole wheat, baking powder, icing sugar, yeast, wheat germ, pholourie mix, coconut milk powder, cooking oil and animal feeds too. The Akaloo family produces the ‘Island Grain’ white rice. The places for rice farming in Trinidad are Caroni, Navet, Felicity, Chaguanas, Nariva, Orange Grove etc.

CASSAVA:

Cassava is a ground provision that is free of gluten and is a major staple food in our twin island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago. Cassava is also one of the most drought-tolerant crops, capable of growing on marginal soils. Cassava is also rich in vitamins (especially from the B vitamin group) and rich in minerals like iron, zinc, copper and magnesium. Cassava is used to make foods such as soups, fish broth, salads, fries, cakes, bread etc. Cassava plant waste and root rejects have been used in different countries to produce compressed wood for the building industry. Cassava is also used as an animal feed additive (peel waste for poultry, swine, cattle, sheep and goats). Cassava yield great results either by ensiling, drying or by direct feed.

CANE JUICE:

Trinidad & Tobago has cultivated sugar cane (agricultural product) for many years (from sugar cane, sugar is extracted). Trinidad & Tobago continues to export sugar to several countries. Sugar is a necessity for the baking and food processing industries. Sugar cane juice has many medicinal properties, as it strengthens the stomach, kidneys, heart, eyes and brain too. The sugar cane juice is also helpful for fevers. Sugar cane juice can also help with recovery from jaundice. Sugar cane juice keeps the urinary flow clear and helps the kidneys to perform their functions properly. The dew which collects on the long leaves of the sugar cane is also useful for several eye disorders such as burning of the eyes, eye-strain, conjunctivitis, defective vision, cataract etc. Sucking on the sugar cane (cane stalks), helps strengthen teeth, keeps the teeth clean and increases their life. Sugar cane helps people with low weight as well.

GOAT MILK:

Wondering why goat milk, when there are so many options out there like cow milk, soy milk and almond milk? A lot of people do not know of the many health benefits associated with consuming goat milk! Goat milk can be more completely and easily absorbed, leaving less undigested excess behind in the colon to ferment and cause the uncomfortable symptoms of lactose intolerance. Goat milk is far more nutrient-dense than cow milk, so you don’t need as much of the goat milk to receive the same or even better nutrient intake. Goat milk is slightly lower in cholesterol than cow milk. Goat milk is delicious and also rich in calcium, which helps to lower blood pressure. Goat milk is also a very rich source of protein, which is an essential part of growth and development. Goat milk is very versatile and product lines for goat milk include cheese, yogurt, ice cream and beauty products too. There are several goat farms in Trinidad & Tobago.

OTHER HEALTHY PRODUCTS:

Other healthy products grown in Trinidad & Tobago include SOURSOP, which helps with various conditions including eczema, ringworm, boils, gout, high blood pressure, urinary tract infection, back pain and head lice. Soursop is now being used by a lot of people with cancer. Recent research has also shown that soursop contains cancer-fighting properties and is used as a natural alternative to chemotherapy. Soursop (from the soursop tree) is grown throughout the year in Trinidad & Tobago. From Soursop, delicious drinks are made such as soursop punch, soursop juice, soursop ice cream and even soursop tea. Soursop tea is used by many people because it is naturally soothing and can help you calm down and relax, and the soursop tea helps build the immune system.

*For our delicious and healthy Malta drink, email Carib Brewery at askus@caribbrewery.com or fax them at (868) 662 2231.

*To purchase a lot of our local rice and flour, visit http://www.nfm.co.tt or email them at nfm@nfm.co.tt.

*For delightful local condiments that capture that familiar, genuine flavour, you can get spicy sauces, kuchela, chow chow/piccalilli, pepper sauce from Candace Hart (owner of Candy Hart’s Delectable Delights) who bottles and makes these local condiments. You can visit them at https://www.facebook.com/candyhartsdelectabledelights or phone them at (868) 347 0943.

*For fresh local herbs and seasonings such as chives, pimentos (special peppers), broad-leaf thyme, Spanish thyme and chadon beni, you can check out the Paramin Women's’ Group (a supportive group of friends). They bottle and sell nice fresh green seasonings to various markets here in Trinidad & Tobago. The seasonings can be used for any kind of meat. You can email them at verom100@hotmail.com or phone them at (868) 738 3024.

*For cassava or any of our local fruits & vegetables such as West Indian cherry, mango, guava, pineapple, plum, orange, sapodilla, soursop, breadfruit, pumpkin, tomato, pomerac, pommecythere, watermelon etc, you can visit the Ministry of Agriculture at http://www.agriculture.gov.tt or email them at fpcorpcoms@gov.tt. For cassava products, sweet potato, coconut water and locally made ketchup or barbecue sauce, visit http://www.namdevco.com or visit http://www.ttaba.com/products and email them at info@ttaba.com.

*For locally made jams and jellies for pastries or bread (such as tamarind jelly, sorrel jelly etc), for pimento sauce or pepper sauce, visit the Tobago Agro Processors Association at https://www.facebook.com/tobagoagroprocessorsassociation. You can also phone them at (868) 310 0612.

*For local gourmet cheese flavoured with nutmeg, rosemary, chadon beni, sorrel and for yogurt flavoured with mango paw paw, pomerac etc, visit Dolce Valle Dairy in Grand Riviere at http://www.dolcevalledairy.com or email them at piero@dolcevalledairy.com. You can also phone them at (868) 684 7269.

*For local and vegetarian cuisine, especially made from cocoa such as cocoa cake (gluten and dairy free), cocoa ice cream and for delicious pommecythere juices, pommecythere chutney, pommecythere cheese, pommecythere ice cream and pommecythere sorbet, email Café Mariposa in Lopinot at info@mariposalopinot.com or phone them at (868) 669 8647 or (868) 684 9358. You can also get nice delicious chocolates with local fruit fillings by visiting http://www.cocobelchocolate.com or http://www.ortinola.com or email Cacique Chocolates at caciquechocolates@hotmail.com or email jbchocolatebars@gmail.com. If you want to purchase or import a lot of cocoa and chocolate products from farmers in Trinidad & Tobago, email the Cocoa Development Company at esmond.ccib@gmail.com or kama1@tstt.net.tt. You can also phone them at (868) 387 1908 or (868) 678 4210.

*For our local cane juice, fax the Ministry of Agriculture at (868) 671 1861 or visit https://www.facebook.com/sonnysfresh.

*For our local goat milk, email Marilissa Farms Limited at marilissafarms@hotmail.com or phone them at (868) 647 5752. You can also email Cariri at biotech@cariri.com.

*For Agri-Business Financing and State of the Art Solar Powered Greenhouses, you can contact RESSCOTT LIMITED at http://www.resscott.com and email them at renewable-energy@resscott.com.

*To save garden space to plant your own seasonings or small vegetables, you can use stackable planting pots. Visit https://www.aquatiksolutions.com. You can also email them at aquatiksolutions@gmail.com.

*For help to start your own Rabbit Production Business, you can visit the Extension Training and Information Services Division, or email them at etissecretary@gov.tt. You can also phone them at (868) 646 2017. Rabbit meat is easily digested and good for stomach disorders. It is also low in sodium and good for people with high blood pressure.

For any further food information, or to import food products from Trinidad and Tobago, you can visit the Ministry of Agriculture website at https://agriculture.gov.tt or phone them at (868) 220-6253. You can also visit the Ministry of Trade and Industry website at https://tradeind.gov.tt or email them at mti-info@gov.tt.

The health information in this document is not provided to diagnose, cure or treat any health problem, please consult your medical doctor for any medical condition that you have.