From: eknowles@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (edmund.knowles)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.caribbean
Subject: Re: Calalloo - a recipe
Date: 14 Apr 92 13:25:18 GMT
Organization: AT&T

In article <92104.115456CSRCC@CUNYVM.BITNET> CSRCC@CUNYVM.BITNET writes:
>Edmund
>      With all due respect, you don't know what you are talking about.
>Like wine and unlike whiskey, there are many catageries of rums. Simply
>put, "Over proof rum" of Jamacian fame  cannot be compared to CockSpur.
>The Trinidadian equavalent to it is something called "Punching" (discribling
>it's almost legendery strenght - knock out power). Punching is a white rum with
>an almost flamable smell.  

My good friend, what you are describing ("punching") I will have to insist
cannot be compared to Jamaica's white rum. I am sure other yardies will
back me on this. Our equivalent to your punching would be whats called
"johncrow batty". The old timers would know about this more than I do but
from what I understand it is the raw version or first cut of alcohol of the
sugar cane(I will research more). Yardies please comment on "johncrow batty"
if you know anything about it.
I have heard stories that one teaspoon of this harsh rum need to be diluted
with about 2 glasses of water. Smoke even rises fron the glass.
From what I've heard one would have ot half crazy to even attempt
a shot of this.

The art of drinking Punching, and it's illegal cosin
>"bush rum" (tradinally ferment to taste with prunes) has become almost
> ritualistic, in the Twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. This rutual
>can been seen performed invariably by the male inhabitance of the island on
>what is localy termed "Rum Shops" (bar or pub). I might add that this
>behavior pattern seems to know no social barriers. And is rumored to occur
>behind the closed doors of the Rich and Famous.
>   Like any exotic event there are some ingredient that must be present to make
>the ritual complete. The first of these is called "cutters"; cutters consist
>of portions of Fried chicken, peppered shrimp even wild meat. Once the cutters
>are in place,the bottles of rum is placed on the table, with it, a bottle of
>"ice" water (sometimes coconut water). The seal of the rum is broken and a
>few drops of rum is allow to fall to the earth as an offering to the "sprits."
> (This is similar to the "Libasions" pronoced Lie-bay-shons of the African
>west coast").  The Rum is poured into a whiskey glass, then the men put the
>glass to their head and with a swift upward movement throw their heads
>backwards and take a "shot."  The rum is swiftly followed by a "swig" of
>water from the same glass. (Unconfirmed rumors have said that fire has been
>seen spitting from the mouths of the men.) I have seen the redding of eyes
>and the large beads of sweat froming on the face and foreheads of the men.
>There is also some spontanious vocal reaction generally in the from of
>"Whew !!"
>I perher the more "saintly" beverages. Traditionally known as the Vatagan
>Vat 19 (a red sugar cane rum) is the most popular rum in the land.
>

My friend, drinking white rum (jamaica's) just aint that complicated!!!

>Taken from
>                      "Life in the tropics is fine"
>/Colin ST Rose

edmund
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Newsgroups: soc.culture.caribbean