If you’ve ever tried to recreate your favorite Latin or Caribbean dish in Tampa, you already know the struggle. One store has the beans, another has the seasoning, and the one that actually has ripe plantains is across town. By the time you’ve found everything, you’ve spent your Saturday doing laps around the city instead of cooking.
Good news: that’s finally changing. Tampa grocery stores are starting to stock the real deal when it comes to Latin and Caribbean ingredients. And at Key Food Tampa Supermarket, you can find everything in one place. No wild ingredient hunts. No begging your cousin to bring some back from Miami.
Here are the top 12 Latin and Caribbean staples that locals love and cooks crave, all now available right here in Tampa.
1. Epis
If you’re Haitian, you already know epis isn’t just seasoning. It’s the soul of your kitchen. A blend of herbs, garlic, onions, and peppers, epis builds the flavor base for just about everything: rice, stews, meats, and even beans.
For years, finding good epis in Tampa meant making it from scratch or stocking up when someone visited home. Now you can grab a jar right from the shelf at Key Food Tampa Supermarket and get that homemade flavor without the blender cleanup.
2. Pikliz
Pikliz is that fiery, crunchy magic that wakes up a plate. This spicy pickled cabbage mix is a staple with fried foods and meats in Haitian cooking.
It’s one of those condiments that no hot sauce can replace. Luckily, more groceries in Tampa FL are starting to carry authentic pikliz, so you don’t have to rely on special trips or homemade batches.
3. Plantains
There’s nothing like the sound of plantains hitting hot oil. Whether you love them green and crisp as tostones or soft and sweet as maduros, they belong in every Latin and Caribbean kitchen.
Finding them ripe and in good shape hasn’t always been easy in Tampa. Now, they’re stocked regularly at Key Food Tampa Supermarket, so your fry pan never has to wait.
4. Yuca (Cassava)
Yuca is the underrated star of many traditional dishes. Boiled, fried, or mashed, it brings the kind of comfort that feels like Sunday lunch with family.
The problem has always been finding it fresh. But with Tampa grocery stores finally catching up to the city’s growing Caribbean and Latin communities, getting good yuca isn’t the scavenger hunt it used to be.
5. Malanga
Malanga is that root vegetable everyone’s grandma swears by. It’s earthy, nutty, and perfect in soups or mashed with garlic and butter.
Since it doesn’t last long, it used to be hit or miss at many stores. Now, fresh malanga is much easier to find at your go-to grocery Tampa spot, so it can actually make it into your pot instead of just your shopping list.
6. Sazón and Adobo
You know a Latin kitchen by the smell of sazón and adobo in the air. These seasoning blends turn plain rice, beans, and meats into dishes that taste like home.
The trick isn’t finding sazón, it’s finding the right brand. Generic versions just don’t cut it. Key Food Tampa Supermarket stocks the real stuff so your recipes don’t lose their punch.
7. Jerk Seasoning
If your idea of jerk chicken is anything less than smoky, spicy, and bold, then you’re doing it wrong. Real jerk seasoning brings the heat and depth of flavor that makes Jamaican cuisine so beloved.
Instead of trekking across the city to find it, you can now add it to your cart during your regular grocery run. A quick marinade, a hot grill, and you’ve got a backyard feast.
8. Scotch Bonnet Peppers
Here’s the thing about Scotch bonnet peppers: there’s no substitute. Jalapeños don’t even come close. These fiery little peppers give jerk its heat and add layers of flavor to stews and sauces.
They used to be tough to find in Tampa, but now they’re a regular sight at more and more Tampa grocery stores, especially at Key Food.
9. Goya Products and Specialty Beans
A Latin pantry without Goya beans is like a kitchen without a stove. Black beans, pigeon peas, pink beans, lentils, you name it. But not every supermarket stocks the full range.
At Key Food Tampa Supermarket, the shelves are lined with the staples you actually need, not just the usual suspects. That means no more last-minute ingredient swaps that ruin your arroz con gandules.
10. Coconut Milk and Cream
Coconut milk is a secret weapon in so many island dishes. From Jamaican rundown to Haitian rice and peas, it’s what gives meals that smooth, rich texture.
Yes, you can find coconut milk almost anywhere now. But finding the good stuff, the kind that isn’t watery and flavorless, is another story. Fortunately, it’s easy to get the trusted brands at your neighborhood grocery Tampa.
11. Mauby and Sorrel
If Caribbean food is a vibe, Caribbean drinks are a celebration. Mauby’s bittersweet spice and sorrel’s tangy brightness are the flavors of holidays and backyard get-togethers.
What used to mean a trip out of town or a “wait until Christmas” situation is now just a quick grocery run away.
12. Jamaican Patties and Caribbean Bread
Patties are comfort food at its finest. Flaky crust, savory filling, and that perfect golden color. Pair it with soft Caribbean bread and you’ve got lunch, dinner, or a midnight snack sorted.
These favorites are now easier to find at Tampa grocery stores, and Key Food keeps them stocked for when the craving hits.
Why Having the Right Ingredients Close to Home Matters
For years, finding authentic ingredients in Tampa wasn’t easy. People drove to Miami, waited for visiting family, or made do with substitutions that never tasted the same. But food is more than what’s on the plate. It’s memory, comfort, and culture.
When your neighborhood grocery store stocks the flavors you grew up with, it makes everything simpler. You can cook the way you want, celebrate your heritage, and share those flavors with the people who matter most.
That’s exactly why Key Food Tampa Supermarket made these ingredients part of everyday shopping, not something you have to hunt down.
No more jumping from one store to another. No more guessing if the shelves will have what you need. Key Food Tampa Supermarket keeps your essentials in one place, from epis to jerk seasoning, so your kitchen is always ready.
Whether you’re cooking a family favorite or trying something new, your ingredients are right where they belong – in your cart.
Visit Key Food Tampa Supermarket today and bring home the flavors you actually love to cook with.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Latin and Caribbean ingredients so hard to find in Tampa?
For a long time, Tampa shoppers had to hunt down authentic ingredients like jerk seasoning, epis, and plantains. Many local stores didn’t stock them regularly, so people either drove hours to Miami or relied on family bringing them in. The good news? That scavenger hunt is over. Stores like Key Food Tampa Supermarket now keep these ingredients stocked year-round, making it easy to bring the flavors you love right into your kitchen.
Do I need to go to specialty shops to get authentic ingredients?
Not anymore. Specialty shops were once the only option for finding real Latin and Caribbean staples, but now you can find them in Tampa grocery stores like Key Food. Think of it as your cultural pantry, just closer to home. No more bouncing between five different stores just to make one dish.
Are these ingredients fresh or pre-packaged?
A little of both, and that’s exactly how it should be. Some ingredients, like plantains or herbs, are fresh and ready to cook with. Others, like seasoning blends or sauces, come pre-packed to keep their authentic flavor intact. Either way, they’re the real deal, not watered-down versions.
Will I really find the same ingredients I grew up with?
Yes, and that’s the best part. Key Food Tampa Supermarket brings in the same brands and ingredients that Latin and Caribbean families have trusted for years. So when you’re making arroz con gandules, griot, or jerk chicken, it’ll actually taste the way it should.
Are the prices higher since these are specialty ingredients?
Nope. Just because they were hard to find before doesn’t mean they should cost a fortune now. Key Food keeps prices reasonable so you can fill your pantry without emptying your wallet. Authentic shouldn’t mean expensive.
Can I find everything I need for a full meal, not just spices?
Absolutely. The store isn’t just about one or two ingredients – it’s a full Tampa supermarket with fresh produce, pantry staples, meats, and more. So whether you’re whipping up a quick dinner or a full Sunday feast, you can grab everything in one stop.
Do I need to know exactly what I’m looking for?
Not at all. If you’re new to Latin or Caribbean cooking, this is a great place to explore. Many of these ingredients come with clear labels, and the staff can help you figure out what works best for your dish. It’s like a mini food adventure… without leaving Tampa.