- Also written
- Akee
What “Ackee” means
Ackee is Jamaica's national fruit. Its soft yellow flesh looks like scrambled egg and tastes rich and buttery. Cooked with saltfish, it makes the national dish, ackee and saltfish.
Examples
Ackee an saltfish
Ackee and saltfish
How to use it
An everyday food word. Ackee and saltfish is a classic breakfast, especially on Sunday, served with dumplings, breadfruit or boiled banana.
Cultural context
Ackee arrived in Jamaica from West Africa in the 1700s. Only ripe ackee that has opened naturally is safe to eat; unripe ackee is toxic, which is why tinned ackee is a trusted shortcut abroad.