Ting for de' back...

Ting for de' back...

            As a youth, growing up in Trinidad, I heard many stories about drinks, potions, fruits, punches, roots, herbs, and some other entities for improving ‘performance’ for us guys. Being of the Asian persuasion, the ginseng root was most prominent; but it was not until I came of age that I truly realised what all the hub was about. Curiosity would always take over when an ole talk would start about them, and being respectful I would not seek further information but I would listen intently. For us guys, we all consider that at some point while we ripening, we may need a little help in the performance aspect of life. We can’t be young and strong forever so having a little background info on what to ask for would come in handy.

            

            This is the first in a series looking at what I’ve heard of in my early years and some that I’ve found later on...

Bois Bande

[...Muira Puama root, Macoucherie]

               Seeing bark soaking in a rum coloured liquid is somewhat normal for a youth in the Caribbean I guess. One day eventually getting to taste that liquid is also, but in this particular case the liquid is ‘bois bande’ so bet yuh bottom dollar it strong! I guess ‘all that in it’ because there are many forms of this bark from the Richeria grandis tree, but because it’s a drink for the guys, soaking it in wine or over proof rum is understandable. The choice is yours when it comes to flavour and strength of the soaking liquid. Using it in alcohol form may disguise the embarrassment of having to use a performance enhancer, but could also work as a rite of passage for young men learning the ways of the world. 

After the harvest...

The Richeria Grandis

A piece of a branch of the the Richeria Grandis tree

           Traditionally, it is found in an alcohol bath because of the medicinal practices of our ancestors, but now it can be found powdered in capsules; and the news to me was the range it spans across the region and in some instances the globe. The fact that it can be found in Grenada, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Jamaica, Brazil, and other parts of South America is not surprising when you think of our ancestors; even France produces a product version as well; I just thought it was a Trini’ thing. Not only that, but is not just a guy thing either, ladies use it too for more or less the same thing.

          As far as I understand, after soaking for a period of time in the alcohol, the essence is drawn out of the bark and into the liquid. This liquid is then used as an additive in pretty much anything that one can put alcohol in. Most commonly associated with the ‘Punch man’, most people have one they are loyal too. There is not one self-respecting ‘Punch man’ that does not have a stash of Bois Bande at the ready. Don’t matter what’s your flavour: peanut, seamoss, soursop, barbadine, beet, carrot, linseed, to name a few; mix any two or three, even call for a ‘bomb’ and get them in one. Regardless of how you like it, the ever present hit is the Bois Bande.

            All these pictures I found on the internet just from searching 'Bois Bande'...I never knew it was sold commercially, I really thought it was in the same category with 'Babash' under Local Fixes, who would of thought!