“How’s the Food?”

Photo of Goya canned bean section taken in US Virgin Islands
chain grocery store, Pueblo in St. Thomas. We’ve seen a
wide range of Goya products in nearly every large or small
grocer we’ve gone to from Antigua and North.

That’s what my brother, a cruiser-curious and far superior cook than me, asked.

“Excellent,” I replied, immodestly. “I do the cooking.” We don’t eat out much; it’s how we can afford cruising.

Caribbean cuisers of yore complained about the inability to get decent food – or – I’m guessing – more of what they’re used to eating at home. For us, exploring new cuisine is part of the adventure and raison d’être for Galley Wench Tales’ moniker.

Yet when my best friend Anna asked, “What’s surprised you most, cruising?” one of my answers was just how big a bread basket the United States is in the Caribbean. The majority of the agriculture we’ve seen is from the US and Canada. Rattle off whatever non-perishable brands you see lots of on US grocery shelves — like Kellog’s, Coke, Nestles — you’ll most likely find them easily in Caribbean grocery stores, too.

Photo of Goya Spice section taken in US Virgin Islands chain
grocery store, Pueblo in St. Thomas.

However, to keep our costs down, and to satisfy my culinary curiousity, we explore local products and new brands whenever it makes sense. Most often, what makes sense is trying non-perishables and local produce. Meat and poultry, thanks to salmonella and mad cow disease paranoia, we approach with much greater caution.

Ironically, the two most prevalent and affordable brands new to us here, Goya and Badia, originate out of the Unted States!

Goya (click here to learn more about them) was started in 1936 a small storefront in Lower Manhattan, New York. Their niche is catering to local Hispanic families by distributing Spanish foods. According to Goya, they’re “The largest, Hispanic-owned food company in the United States.” The bulk of our cupboard is filled with Goya-branded food… all manner of beans, lentils, sauces, seasonings.

Photo of Goya Spice section taken in US Virgin Islands chain
grocery store, Pueblo in St. Thomas. Not as widely distributed
as Goya, Badia is still pretty easy to find, and
always affordable.

I like buying spices in very small quantities, in envelopes rather than bigger bottles. It’s not only cheaper, it takes up less room. Thus, we’ve come to appreciate Badia spices, which are often sold that way in the Caribbean.

Badia is based of the Miami Florida area. They were founded in 1960 and began by selling spices to small bodegas, or shops, in Miami. While still a family-run company, their international distribution is growing. Current CEO Pepe Badia said the secret to his company’s success is a moderately priced product (click here to learn more about Badia).

That works for me!

It is funny though… Travel to the Caribbean to explore new and exotic foods … and enjoy the culinary equivalent of meeting the boy next door.

11 Comments

Anonymous on April 2, 2013 at 11:09 am

I'm with you and enjoy using Goya and Badia products. The Badia chipotle powder is smoky without much heat, and I like using their powdered bay leaves rather than having to fish around a stew pot to try to retrieve leaves. Keep on cooking! Ethereal

GalleyWenchTales on April 2, 2013 at 1:20 pm

Thanks, Ethereal.

Saw the powdered bay leaves and didn't try them. Now I will! If I see the Badia chipotle powder will give that a go as well. Canned chipotles are a bit harder to find and manage in our tiny fridge. I've reconstituted dried chilies before for chili Colorado but it's kinda messy and haven't wanted to tackle it on the boat… yet. I have been in the mood to make and savor some really good home-made chili….

Anonymous on April 2, 2013 at 5:30 pm

The canned and dried are a little messier and less storage friendly. Some cumin, ancho chilli powder, chipotle chilli powder, and oregano and you'll have the best chilli in the Carribean! Ethereal

Unknown on March 6, 2020 at 10:11 pm