THE USE of the name 'Jamaica' in the Mexican drink mix Aguas Frescas Jamaica is actually quite appropriate and a compliment to this country, several callers to The Gleaner said yesterday.
In the story, 'Jamaica's brand drain' in the Wednesday Business section, the product was referred to as having 'a mysterious ingredient' called dried Jamaica extract.
Independent checks show that in Mexico, dried Jamaica extract, in fact, refers to dried sorrel extract as Mexicans refer to the sorrel plant as 'flores de Jamaica'.
In Mexican groceries and health food stores the sorrel plant is commonly called either 'Jamaica' or 'flores de Jamaica' and is popularly used medicinally or as a cooling drink in that country.
PRODUCTION EXPANDED
Originating in Asia, the plant was brought to Jamaica in the17th century where its production expanded.
Jamaica was an entrepot for the Spanish territories around the Caribbean at that time, which may explain how sorrel cultivation was spread and the reason for its popular Mexican name.
