Cuisine of Florida

Seafood platter

The cuisine of Florida is a diverse blend of Southern, Caribbean, Latin American, and seafood-based culinary traditions found in Florida, reflecting the state's multicultural population, subtropical climate, and coastal geography.

History and influences

The arrival of several waves of Caribbean, Hispanic, and Asian immigrants to Florida since the late 19th century has played an important role in the development of its cuisine.

In the 1950s, following the Cuban Revolution, a significant influx of Cuban refugees came to South Florida and influenced the food scene, especially in Miami. Early pioneers included for example the "Mango Gang," a group of South Florida chefs that included Norman Van Aken, Mark Militello, Douglas Rodriguez, and Allen Susser, who advocated the use of fresh local ingredients with Caribbean influences.

Dishes

Fried gator tail

Orange World gift shop in Kissimmee

A Cuban sandwich from Little Havana, Miami, Florida

• Key lime pie is made with the juice of Key limes, which are found throughout the Florida Keys. In 2006, it became the official state pie.
• Cuban sandwich
• Conch, such as conch fritters or conch salad
• Oysters
• Alligator meat, such as fried gator, gator bites, or gator tail
• Stone crabs
• Floribbean-style barbecue
• Smoked fish

Oranges

Citrus fruit, especially oranges, are a major part of Florida's economy. Orange juice became the official state beverage in 1967. Oranges are also Florida's state fruit and the orange blossom is the state flower.

Other

Publix is a major grocery store throughout the state of Florida with headquarters in Winter Haven. Publix subs, or Pub subs, are popular submarine sandwiches that can be made at the stores' deli counters.

Miami Beach is an American cocktail, made from gin, pineapple juice, and cane syrup, named after the resort city in South Florida.

Gallery

• 
  Deviled crabs, originally from Tampa Bay
• 
  Key lime pie, popular in Key West
• 
  Florida stone crabs
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  Conch salad
• 
  Barbecue in Lake City

See also

• Media related to Cuisine of Florida at Wikimedia Commons
• Floribbean cuisine