International Destinations

Tours explore the culinary side of Belize

(Special)-For years, culinary travel has been a growing trend and now, with the launch of Belize's new culinary campaign - SavorBelize, food fanciers can not only explore unique cuisine offered throughout the country, but they also learn what makes the fare here different from other Central American and Caribbean countries.

Belize offers a number of food-focused tours and festivals that offer travellers a peek into the production of the country's diverse culinary treats.

Following are highlights of popular tours that are offered year-round and help to complete a culinary exploration of Belize.

Marie Sharp's Factory

Belize is becoming known across the world for authentic, all-natural pepper sauces and the Marie Sharp's tour is a fantastic way to experience one of the most popular of these condiments.

The Marie Sharp’s tour of the factory begins in the fresh air among lush habanero pepper plants outside the production facility in Dangriga. Continued inside the plant, the tour offers visitors an up close and personal view of the creation of the famous habanero sauces, as well as Marie's jams, jellies, juices and cassava chips.

The tour saves the best for last - the taste testing, of course! Each visitor is served crackers to sample various hot sauces, jellies and jams. Select your favourite and then pick up a bottle at the gift shop.

To learn more about Marie Sharp's full line of products, visit www.mariesharps-bz.com.

Belikin Brewery

This free tour offers an exclusive look inside the brewing process at the Belize Brewing Company in Belize City.

From the malt to the hops, this guided tour will offer a unique look at the brewing process of Belikin beer, which is offered in four distinct varieties: Stout, Premium, Lighthouse Lager and the original Belikin.

After the tour, enjoy a complimentary, ice-cold brew at the Belikin Brewery's pub. To learn more about all of Belikin's brews, visit www.thebeerofbelize.com.

Cyrila’s Chocolate

Family-owned and run, Cyrila’s Chocolate in San Felipe Village puts on a tour that provides visitors with the unique opportunity to experience the traditional and authentic Mayan chocolate-making process.

Visitors to the family’s organic cacao farm actively participate in every stage of the chocolate production process, including shelling the cacao beans and grinding them into a smooth paste. Plus, visitors receive the ultimate reward for their hard work - a sampling of the finished product!

Traveller’s Liquors

Sample the flavours, share the secrets and live the tradition of Traveller’s Liquors at the Heritage Centre museum in Belize City.

This tour offers a unique look at the rich history of rum making in Belize, including information on the bottling and aging process.

The Traveller’s tour also shares the exceptional history of Jamie Omario Permodo and his family, who created the award-winning Traveller’s rum almost 60 years ago.

What better way to end the visit than sampling this unique rum and purchasing a vintage edition rum, available only at the Heritage Centre. For more information, visit www.onebarrelrum.com.

To find out more about the cuisine of Belize and culinary travel opportunities, visit www.savorbelize.com.