Lei-ing Down the Foundation
Ahh, untouched tropical islands. Home to beautiful sunsets, sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, and not much else. (There’s a reason why people ask what you would bring to a deserted island to survive!)
When the Polynesians first arrived at Hawaii, food was so scarce that they had to bring different plants, meats, and cooking practices that laid down the foundation for the rich food culture seen in the modern Aloha State.
Fin-Tastic Eats
After several voyages of bringing food over, the Polynesians utilized cooking methods that are practiced and/or respected in The Aloha State to this day, including:
- Kālua: This cooking method utilizes an underground oven, or imu, tosteam whole pigs, breadfruit, bananas, sweet potatoes, taro, chicken, and fish.
- Poke: Speaking of fish, salmon was so abundant that they earned the moniker “pigs of the sea” (and you thought the nickname your parents gave you was bad). Ergo, the poke cooking method – translated as “to cut crosswise into pieces” – gained popularity as a way to serve fish fresh, raw, cubed, and marinated.
- Ko’ala and Pulehu: Popular for cooking fish, ko’ala utilizes hot coals to cook, whereas pulehu uses hot ashes.
- Laulau: This cooking method places meat in a bed of lu’au leaf, secured in a protective covering of banana leaves, and placed inside an imu.
Say Aloha to Deliciousness
The Polynesians may have traveled far to reach The Big Island, but you don’t have to book a plane ticket to enjoy the vibrant flavors the Aloha State has to offer. A perfect savory-sweet blend of pineapple powder, dried soy sauce, salt, sweet paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, sesame seeds, sugar, and cayenne pepper, our RawSpiceBar Hawaiian Blend lets you serve up a little bit of paradise with each meal.
How will you put your Hawaiian Blend to use? Share your meals with us on Instagram and follow along for tasty tips and tricks.
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