If you ask any real Jamaican about Easter time, some where in the conversation you will hear about Bun and Cheese. In fact if you mention Easter you will hear about Bun and Cheese long before the “risen saviour” . It’s a shame but its a jus so it go ! True thing… ! The only other thing you might hear about next is a thing we call “Escovitch Fish ” and easter baskets but that is another something completely and all together different…

To Jamaicans, Bun and Cheese is serious business

click for Source: [Bun Eating Contest]

You may be asking  what is this Bun and Cheese business anyway ?  Well mek mi give yuh a lickle history nuh ?

Bun and Cheese originated with the hot crossed buns in Britain. You remember the children’s game right ?

Hot cross buns,

Hot cross buns,

one ha’ penny,

two ha’ penny,

hot cross buns.

It is a British  Easter tradition that is centuries old . Tradionally people would eat these hot crossed buns on Good Friday.   In fact pretty much throughout the British Common wealth this is still being done. You can read more at wikipedia . You will see that it is a serious ting..  Eating bun at Easter is one of the many remaining traditions that are hold overs from the Colonial period in Jamaica , and other parts of the Caribbean.  Although the colonial period is long past.. I think we still will be  holding on to the bun and cheese for years to come.

As far as the modern incarnation of the bun, the cross is long gone and the bun has become basically a loaf.  Some where along the line cheese got into the picture and that is the part that makes this well loved delicacy get “serious”  as in seriously tasty. In fact the official cheese of Easter and all things bun and cheese is … that’s right., Tastee Cheese !

Literally there is no substitute. I repeat there – is – no – substitute ! People will get upset… as we say ” VEX” , if you serve anything different with easter bun than Tastee cheese . Don’t even think about arguing that it is just “basically chedder “. It could have come from a special cow in Wisconsin or happy cows in California, only Tastee’s will do.. trust me on that one.  Many people have gotten some serious looks (cut eye) for suggesting that you can substitute the cheese in the bun for Tastee’s cheese.

In fact I heard a story about a man from Trelawny who..   You know what ? I will save that one for another time.

Tastee cheese, was originally a product of New Zealand but is now made in Jamaica and comes in a can. Getting it out of the can whole, especially the large can, is a process the requires skill. It is served with the bun in thick moist creamy slices. Being stingy with the slice of  cheese will not help your cause by the way.

Of course people eat bun and cheese year round but Easter and Christmas is most special. It is loved at all ages from pickney (child) to granny. Trust me ladies If some suave Jamaican man says they “love you like bun and cheese ” that means that things just got serious. Or at the very least you look d*mn good.

But back to my question ..  where is the bun and cheese in Columbus ? I am sure our friends throughout the state don’t have this problem. Columbus doesn’t have a dedicated Jamaican grocery store so I can’t send you to any one spot to find it . This is something that needs to be fixed right away people !  It is a crying shame… but I digress again. You can check any of the local restaurants.. Enas , Royal Rasta, Sweet Pot and see if they have any bun in stock. Tell them I sent you . I can’t guarantee a discount.. but at least they will know where you heard the news.

Personally I am having mine shipped. Yes shipped. I wasn’t about to take any chances.  I pretty much get any Jamican speciality food item that way . If you need something let me know.

The brand of bun is important too. The two most prominent brands loved at Easter is HTB Bun and Maxfields Bun.

HTB Bun

Maxfield Bun

I haven’t had a Maxfied in a while.. I like the moistness of the crust though. HTB or “Hard to Beat ” bun as it’s affectionately known as  is  a bit lighter . Be carefully to store it in a closed container to help keep in the moisture or it will fall apart if you let it dry out even a little. It probably won’t stay around long enough for that to happen anyway.

Lastly beware of anyone that says.. “…I can make Bun you know “.  Lawd ‘ave mercy ! It is one of the worse sins… especially at Easter time too.  People.. Bun  is not simply fruit cake lite. I repeat bun and cheese in serious business…  This pleasurable experience is not one that should be tampered with especially by amateurs. Spen’ your money and buy a $10 dollar bun for christ’s sake.. literally. Have some respect.

If you are lucky enough to have your bun and cheese already,  set some aside and make sure you invite someone over …especially someone that hasn’t tasted it, and share a true Caribbean tradition with them. It is a perfect treat after a nice dinner of Rice and Peas with Escovitch Fish.  If you are celebrating Easter froma religous stand point make sure you take time to remember the risen saviour before you nyam (eat) it off ! Enjoy and Happy Easter to you all !