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Approximately 40 residents have learnt to make traditional Virgin Islands guavaberry liqueur ahead of the Christmas season at a workshop hosted by the Department of Culture.
Held on 7 October, the workshop was facilitated by Janice Nibbs Blyden, who has been making the festive drink for 50 years.
According to a Department of Culture press release, participants explored the history of the liqueur, watched a demonstration on preparing the special syrup and had the opportunity to create their own guavaberry rum brew.
Deputy Director of Culture Anne Lennard welcomed participants and said the department was pleased with the public’s response to its workshops.
“This liqueur is an important part of BVI culture and through this workshop we are doing our part to help preserve it,” Lennard said.
She noted that guavaberry liqueur is traditionally served at Christmas and is also made in neighbouring St Maarten and the Dominican Republic. Guavaberry trees are also likely found in Cuba and other countries.
Blyden, a retired Deputy Chief Librarian and local author, has published two children’s books, I Want to be a Thatcher Man and I Want to be a Baker, along with a mini recipe booklet on making traditional Virgin Islands guavaberry liqueur.
The workshop forms part of the department’s ongoing efforts to document, preserve and share Virgin Islands heritage. It was supported by the Jennie Wheatley Virgin Islands Studies Institute at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
Held on 7 October, the workshop was facilitated by Janice Nibbs Blyden, who has been making the festive drink for 50 years.
According to a Department of Culture press release, participants explored the history of the liqueur, watched a demonstration on preparing the special syrup and had the opportunity to create their own guavaberry rum brew.
Deputy Director of Culture Anne Lennard welcomed participants and said the department was pleased with the public’s response to its workshops.
“This liqueur is an important part of BVI culture and through this workshop we are doing our part to help preserve it,” Lennard said.
She noted that guavaberry liqueur is traditionally served at Christmas and is also made in neighbouring St Maarten and the Dominican Republic. Guavaberry trees are also likely found in Cuba and other countries.
Blyden, a retired Deputy Chief Librarian and local author, has published two children’s books, I Want to be a Thatcher Man and I Want to be a Baker, along with a mini recipe booklet on making traditional Virgin Islands guavaberry liqueur.
The workshop forms part of the department’s ongoing efforts to document, preserve and share Virgin Islands heritage. It was supported by the Jennie Wheatley Virgin Islands Studies Institute at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
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