Akee

Flower 10/2/2009 Plantation

Akee / Ackee = Blighia sapida

Family: Sapindaceae

*Akee pods should be allowed to ripen and open naturally on the tree before picking. Raw and over-ripe Akees, the inner red tissue, and veins that attach the aril to the seed

all contain potent alkaloid toxins which can produce a syndrome of vomiting, seizures and fatal hypoglycemia - known as

Jamaican vomiting sickness.

Though it may be poisonous when improperly  prepared,

Akee has high nutritional value and 

is rich in essential fatty acids, Vitamin-A, Zinc and protein.
Ackee poisoning has killed 5,000 people since 1886.
40 people per year?!

7/22/12 Negril, Jamaica

7/22/12 Negril, Jamaica

Prior to cooking, the yellowish meat (grilli) must be
cleaned, washed, boiled and the water discarded.
Sauteed with onions, tomatoes and salted codfish
makes Jamaican National dish "Ackee and Salt Fish"