Jamaica Apple not to compare with the Apples in Europe, USA etc. its not a Granny Smith

The Jamaican otaheiti Apple or maple apple is indigenous to the Pacific Islands. This is also reflected in its name as it is believe that the first tree was first seen in Tahiti. The tree thrives well in sub-tropical temperatures; hence these fruits are very popular in Jamaica. The seeds are quite easy to grow and this underscore how the why these trees are ubiquitous throughout Jamaica.
This fast growing tree is very susceptible to high winds making them mercifully hapless against strong hurricane winds. In Jamaica Otaheite apple is known as coco plum or some Ethiopia apple. Coco plum maybe because of its colour and shape and Ethiopia a corruption of Otaheite Apple

The Otaheite apple can be enjoyed in many ways. In Jamaica is mostly eaten raw freshly picked from the trees. However, it can be used to make Jellies, pickles or even into wine. These trees can get to real massive while producing on almost every available space. The Jamaican otaheite apple is not frugal it produces in abundance and also the fruits are quite easy to pick from the tree.

My favorite is the fresh apple juice homemade and just raw from the tree, they taste sweet and tangy and are soft, so if you order a apple don’t expect to get a granny smiths or gala type of apple:)

In the Blue Mountains Jamaica

Jamaica Hummingbird “Doctor Bird”

The national bird of Jamaica, the Jamaica Hummingbird also called the doctor bird or swallow tail hummingbird, is one of the most outstanding of the 320 species of hummingbirds.

 These bird’s beautiful feathers have no counterpart in the entire bird population and they produce iridescent colours characteristic only of that family.

In addition to these beautiful feathers, the mature male has two long tails which stream behind him when he flies.

According to Wikipedia, “the next-to-outermost feather on each side of the male’s tail is six or seven inches long, far longer than its bearer’s back. Trailing behind the flying hummingbird like thin black streamers, these feathers make a humming sound.”

For years the doctor bird has been immortalized in Jamaican folklore and song.

The origin of the name ‘Doctor-bird’ is somewhat unsettled. It has been said that the name was given because the erect black crest and tails resemble the top hat and long tail coats doctors used to wear in the old days.

Other schools of thought believe that it refers to the way the birds lance the flowers with their bills to extract nectar.

According to Frederic Cassidy, the bird is an object of superstition. The Arawaks (the first inhabitants of the island) spread the belief that the bird had magical powers. They called it the ‘God bird’, believing it was the reincarnation of dead souls.

This is manifested in a folk song which says: ‘Doctor Bud a cunny bud, hard bud fe dead’. (It is a clever bird which cannot be easily killed).

Attention;)It is a very small bird, I can tell you, it is very swift, agile and dexterous – if you don’t know it, you may never quite get the picture (sorry).[Until you come to Jamaica! :-)]

DID YOU KNOW….that Jamaica has the second largest butterflies!

The most magnificent Jamaican butterfly is the Giant Swallowtail (Pterourus homerus). Found only in Jamaica, it has a 6 inch wing span, making it the second largest butterfly in the world. It is found mainly at high altitudes in the Blue Mountains, John Crow Mountains and Cockpit Country. The Giant Swallowtail has a vivid black and gold colouring, with dark blue circles decorating the lower wings.

There are at least 134 species of butterflies and moths in Jamaica, of which at least 30 are endemic. Particularly noticeable because of its numbers, is a white/cream coloured butterfly which swarms flowering Lignum Vitae trees.