An American Tradition

Like most American traditions,the one of Barbecue may have
originated somewhere else!
Barbecue has its earliest roots in "barbacoa", a Caribbean Taino word meaning sacred fire pit. Anyone who has had good barbecue would agree with this sentiment exactly. As with most great ideas, probably more than one clever human with a slab of tasty meat and a fire figured out the gist of BBQ. Australia and New Zealand have their "Barbie", South Africans their "Braai", Brazilians their "Churrasco", and Argentinians their "Asado". Most true connoisseurs of Barbecue will agree that the best tasting meat comes when cooking is accomplished indirectly over a sweet smelling hardwood at temperatures between 250 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Raising the topic of the correct method of Barbecue in the Southern United States may just get you a more heated conversation than one of both politics and religion put together. Things may go swimmingly in the conversation until the subject of sauce rises to the lips. Even the state of North Carolina cannot agree within its boundaries. The eastern portion of North Carolina prefers a vinegar based sauce, the center a mix of ketchup and vinegar, and the western portion a heavier ketchup base. South Carolina loves its barbecue any way they can get it, and they'll accept a mustard base sauce as well! Tennesseans agree with central North Carolinians in that they like a vinegar and ketchup base. Tennessee and Kentucky Barbecue may have a lot in common with those who ask for their sauce on the side, preferring to serve a dry rubbed and smoked meat separate from the sauce. The lucky person with that plate can dip their morsels daintily or throw their meat a life jacket! Alabama serves up a white sauce made from mayonnaise and vinegar that had its origins in the northern part of the state. We have that wondrous pulled pork sandwich because of Tennessee and North Carolina. We would be remiss if we didn't mention Maryland, who hot grills their meat and serves it rare with horseradish sauce, and Texas, who has four styles of their own Barbecue. Missouri gets in on American Barbecue in a big way with the hosting of "The World Series of Barbecue" each October. Interestingly enough, Florida is not one of the States often brought up in conversation when talking about Barbecue. We are, however, the closest state to the true origins of the custom in the Caribbean, which may explain why Florida is one of Barbecue's best kept secrets. Any Florida traveler worth their salt will tell you of secret Barbecue pits in every small town- only secret because most people do not know about them. One pretty popular place with the locals we know of serves their delicacy straight from a fire pit in the floor into a brown bag and straight out the door! Barbecue is something Tastebuds just loves doing. Never mind the heat of the smoker and the long watch that must be kept to be sure everything is progressing toward perfection- the smell of hickory and the promise of a perfect meal awaits us all.