Tastings in Trinidad and Tobago

If you’re serious about food and drink, tastings in Trinidad and Tobago are a serious way to get beneath the skin of the islands. It’s not just about rum, though there’s plenty of that, especially if you swing by Angostura’s distillery in Laventille. You’ll learn why their bitters are world-famous and get to sample some seriously smooth rums that aren’t easy to find in bottles back home.

But let’s not stop at rum. The islands offer cocoa tastings too , the same cocoa used in some of the world’s best chocolates. Towns like Chaguaramas sometimes host small-batch chocolate makers who walk you through bean to bar, and you get to taste the unique, earthy Trini cocoa flavors that never quite taste the same anywhere else.

If you prefer something fresh, spot local fruit tastings when mango or soursop season hits,June through July is the best time to try a random roadside stand’s haul. And don’t forget to sample pepper sauces and chutneys, which are often included in food-centric tasting tours around Port of Spain or San Fernando. A little tip? Go early in the morning to avoid the midday heat and crowds, especially during Carnival season when tasting spots can get packed.