WE’RE in nostalgic mode as we celebrate 50 years of Independence this year. We hark back to memories of Spicy Hill Farms Ram Goat Soup Mannish Water — a Jamaican Observer Food Awards 2006 nominee in the category Best New Food Idea. We’re happy to share that Spicy Hill Farms Limited Mannish Water continues to do well; this according to Spicy Hill Farms director Brascoe Lee who credits the many years of research and development of the product for its commercial success.

The packaged soup mixture seeks to ease the cooking process of preparing authentic Jamaican mannish water by simply emptying the packet and adding the ingredients of your choice. “Currently, I would say the product is well received by consumers, because I have seen a 20 per cent growth (in sales) for each of the last five years,” Lee tells Thursday Food in a recent interview.

Spicy Hill Farms takes pride in making all-natural, easy-to-use seasonings that add delicious flavour to any dish. “I think the product is one of the most unique food items offered on the market and I can confidently say that it is manufactured under exceptionally high standards,” Lee boasted. The soup mixture is made from 100 per cent natural ingredients including goat meat, garlic, pimento, celery, basil and thyme — the herbs and spices that are true to its authentic taste and smell.

Distributed by T Geddes Grant Distributors Limited, the soup mix retails for $90 excluding tax and is available in over 200 retail outlets throughout the island. In addition, the company exports 40 per cent of its Ram Goat Soup mixture to seven distributors in Britain, the United States, Canada and the Caribbean each year. The company also manufactures and distributes another ram goat product known as 'Ram It Up' — which is used to enhance the flavour of Jamaican curried goat — as well as granulated Scotch bonnet pepper and dried thyme leaves, which are mostly produced for export.