Hi All from Jamaica, “What a Gwaan?” There are plenty of reasons to visit Jamaica, and shopping is certainly one of them. The Land of Wood and Water is known for its distinctive culture that can be found nowhere else. From the world-renowned Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee to Jamaica T-shirts, Jamaicans take pride in blessing the world with their unique products.
If you cannot visit Jamaica to shop, here are some distinctive products to window shop and buy from your home.
1. Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee
Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee is known world-wide for its exquisite taste, which is a result of the conditions under which it is grown. The periodic coolness of the mists of the Blue Mountains and unusual volcanic soil give it its unique taste. Blue Mountain Coffee is sweet, aromatic, rich in flavor and full bodied with mild acidity. A rare coffee certified by the Jamaican regulators of the agricultural industry.
The Blue Mountain Coffee in Jamaica is one of the most expensive in the world. Its richness and lack of bitterness makes it a commodity that attracts people to the island.
The Blue Mountain Terrain
The elevation plays a major role in the final quality of the beans. Coffee needs to have been grown at an elevation between 3,000 feet (910 meters) and 5,500 feet (1,676 meters) for certifying as Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee. Anything above 5,500 feet (1,676 meters) in Jamaica is forest preserve and the law forbids for coffee to be grown. The growing area is small compared to other coffee growing countries.
When looked at from a distance, the mountains have a blue appearance, hence the name, Jamaica Blue Mountains.
Globally Protected Brand
The Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority, successor to the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica (CIB), has taken the extra step of authenticating Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee by awarding it a globally recognized certification mark and trademark. If it does not have the trademark image on the package, it is not authentic.
There is a long period of cultivation and inspection before designation as 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain. It is then sent to licensed sellers and distributors.
How to Brew Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee
For best results, you must use the immersion technique, such as drip pot, French Press, or a percolator. Using this method will help you get every bit of flavor out of the ground coffee.
Immersion is the favorite method of brewing because it allows the hot water to pull out the oil better than any other method.
The perfect sizing is 2 level tablespoons of Blue Mountain Coffee per 8oz serving. Do not wait until the coffee is boiling, and for the best taste, try to consume it within 45 minutes.
What is the Best Way to Store the Coffee?
Contrary to popular belief, storing coffee in your freezer is not the best choice. It is not a good choice at all, especially for coffee that does not cost $5.00.
Storing coffee, be it beans or ground, in a cold environment, robs the natural moisture from the product. Instead, the best way to store your coffee is by using an air-tight container that has a degassing valve. Most Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee bags come equipped with this valve. The container should then be stored in a dry, room temperature environment, not in the fridge or freezer.
2. Jewelry
Jewelry helps in enhancing one's beauty. It also symbolizes wealth, power, and status. For some, jewelry is a form of art for self and creative expression. Some people use jewelry as part of their tradition and culture.
History
The word "jewelry" is derived from 1) the Latin word ‘jocale,’ meaning "plaything," and; 2) the word jewel, derived from the Old French word "jouel." The word "jewelry" (spelled jewellery in European English) describes any piece of precious material used to adorn oneself. Jewelry is a universal form of adornment. Jewelry made from shells, stone and bones survives from prehistoric times. It may have been worn as a protection from the dangers of life or as a mark of status or rank.
Jewelry in earlier times was made from any material, usually gemstones, precious metals like gold, silver, copper, beads, or shells. Some of these materials are even used today and some of the materials that have been added in jewelry like platinum, and sterling silver has increased its brilliance.
In this world of technology and rapidly changing fashion these are not the only materials from which jewelry is being made. Jewelry today is even made from cheap materials like plastic, acrylic, wood, paper, stainless steel, etc. The purpose is to look appealing.
Factors affecting the choice of materials include cultural differences and its availability. Jewelry is appreciated for its material properties, patterns, or designer look.
Uses
Humans have used jewelry for many reasons:
· functional, generally to fix clothing or hair in place
· as a marker of social status and personal status, as with a wedding ring
· as a signifier of some form of affiliation, whether ethnic, religious, or social
· to provide talismanic protection (in the form of amulets)
· as an artistic display
· as a carrier or symbol of personal meaning – such as love, mourning, or even luck.
Most cultures have kept large amounts of wealth stored in the form of jewelry. Many cultures store wedding dowries in the form of jewelry. Jewelry has been used as currency or barter for goods; an example being the use of slave beads.
Many items of jewelry, such as brooches and buckles, originated as purely functional item. These later evolved into decorative items as their functionality diminished.
Jewelry can also symbolize group membership, for example the Christian crucifix, the Jewish Star of David, or wedding bands worn by married couples.
Wearing of amulets and devotional medals to provide protection or ward off evil is common in some cultures. These may take the form of symbols (such as the ankh), stones, plants, animals, and body parts.
Jamaican Jewelry
Jamaican duty-free shops sell fine jewelry, from world renowned designers such as Carrera y Carrera, Gucci, Swiss Army and Bulgari. These include gold, ruby, diamonds, emeralds, and a host of other precious gems.
Indigenous Jamaican jewelry is popular with visitors as they reflect the creativity of Jamaicans. Jamaica has talented jewelers who use the island's natural resources to make world-renowned beautiful jewelry.
Jamaican jewelry is not only creative and beautiful, but also environmentally friendly. The jewelry is mainly made from natural resources obtained on the island, such as beads, coconut shells, coral reefs, straws, feathers, buttons, hemps, and seashells. These materials are used to make jewelry items such as earrings, bracelets, necklaces, bangles, and rings. This jewelry is popular with tourists as well as Jamaicans.
Metal jewelry is also prevalent in the form of necklaces, pendants, and bracelets usually with a cotton cloth base for adornment. These jewelries are hand-crafted by talented Jamaicans with a keen eye for detail and beauty. Your initials can also be engraved on metal jewelry as a keepsake - memories of Jamaica.
Today, Jamaican jewelry can be had from anywhere in the world - thanks to the power of the internet!
3. T-Shirts
T-Shirts are the most popular wear all-year round in Jamaica because of the tropical climate. One of the hottest-selling items for both Jamaicans and tourists are Jamaica T-shirts which feature colorful and creative designs.
T-shirts come in different styles, colors, and sizes, to suit the tastes of international citizens. We however rarely think about the history of t-shirts – how did the t-shirt come into being?
T-shirts were worn by veteran men as undergarment beneath their uniforms but have since evolved to become a tool for branding and self-expression.
Types of T-Shirts
Many different types of T-shirts can be found in the market. Before you figure out how T-shirts would fit you, you need to have a clear understanding about these types. Of the T-shirts that you can find in the market, slim fit T-shirts hold a prominent place. These T-shirts would act as your second skin. You can also wear the slim fit T-shirts without showing off too much.
Women have many different options compared to men when it comes to choosing a style and fit of a T-shirt. Unlike men who only have three styles, (regular, slim, and big & tall), women’s T-shirts can vary in size and cut so drastically that there are not precise names for each kind of style. Thus, when choosing a T-shirt that will work for you, you must take in consideration what will look good by how it fits and what it reveals.
The first thing to acknowledge is that a T-shirt is always a more casual look than a blouse or dress. So, when considering a T-shirt, you should not have to try too hard to look sexy or fancy. If you are, then you may want to consider switching outfits. T-shirts are meant to be casual with a relaxed look. This should always be the focus when deciding what T-shirt to wear.
What Is The FUNCTION of The T-Shirt?
When is it appropriate to wear a t-shirt?
If you are intending to make a great first impression, on a date or a party, a colored shirt is a better option. Ask yourself what the rest of the people at the event are going to be wearing. If you are surrounded by a sea of T-shirts, feel free to dress down as well, but with a quality top.
Concerts, the local bar, beaches, and casual parties with close friends are all acceptable occasions to dress for comfort in a t-shirt. Any activity that involves a lot of sweating, including sport requires a T-shirt. Ensure you are wearing one that is designed as outerwear and not as an undershirt.
Maintain your T-shirts with proper care while cleaning them. They will not have the same impact if they look like their best days are well in the past.
4. Conclusion
Jamaica So Nice is an online store offering authentic Jamaican products. Visit us and browse our offerings:
Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee
indigenous Jamaican jewelry; and
Jamaica T-Shirts.
These products are being launched over the coming 2 – 3 months.
References
https://www.jamaicasonice.com/post/5-secrets-to-looking-great-in-a-t-shirt-for-women
https://www.jamaicasonice.com/post/5-secrets-to-looking-great-in-a-t-shirt
https://www.jamaicasonice.com/post/5-things-you-must-know-about-the-exotic-jamaica-blue-mountain-coffeehttps://www.jamaicasonice.com/post/jewelry-from-jamaica-so-nice
https://www.jamaicasonice.com/post/the-history-of-the-t-shirt
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Jacqueline Cameron is an editor/writer with years of writing experience running the gamut from blogging to reporting. She lives in Kingston, Jamaica and is the chief writer for the Jamaica So Nice Blog. She is a trained engineer and musician and loves to see people transformed through her work.
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