How to Buy Excelsior Water Crackers from Jamaica to the USA
Looking for that classic tough cracker to pair with your steamed fish? Here is how to buy authentic Excelsior Water Crackers in the United States.
If you want to buy Excelsior Water Crackers in the USA, look for them in the international aisles of major supermarkets like Walmart and Publix, or order them through Caribbean specialty websites. Amazon also stocks them in bulk, making it easy to keep your pantry full.
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There is nothing quite like the tough, durable crunch of an Excelsior Water Cracker. They are built to survive everything. Steamed fish. Hot tea. A heavy slathering of butter. They do not crumble under pressure.
Quick Summary
- Check the big supermarkets: Publix and Walmart often carry them in the ethnic food aisle next to the jerk seasoning.
- Buy in bulk online: Amazon sells multi-packs that save you money in the long run.
- Visit Caribbean grocers: Local West Indian shops almost always have them in stock.
- Support your family in Jamaica: Order their groceries through store.howjamaica.com.
The Unbreakable Cracker
Let's get one thing straight. Excelsior Water Crackers are not like American saltines. If you try to eat one dry without a drink, you are going to get a workout. They are tough. They are thick. They are completely unbothered by moisture.
That is exactly why we love them. When you dip a flimsy American cracker into tea, it dissolves into mush. An Excelsior cracker holds its ground. It soaks up the flavor of pepper shrimp or steamed fish gravy without falling apart. It is a structural marvel. The baking process at the factory in Kingston ensures every cracker can withstand serious dipping.
Step-by-Step: Where to Find Them
Finding these crackers is usually easier than finding other Jamaican snacks. But you still need to know where to look.
1. Hit the international aisle. Start at your local mega-mart. Publix in the Southeast US is famously good at stocking Jamaican staples. Look past the Hispanic foods and find the Caribbean shelf.
2. Shop on Amazon for bulk deals. If you eat a lot of crackers, buy a case of six or twelve packs online. It drastically reduces the cost per pack and ensures you never run out.
3. Visit a local West Indian shop. If you want the giant tin instead of the small plastic bags, you usually have to go to a specialized Caribbean grocer.
4. Try online Caribbean markets. Sites like JamrockMart stock the classic round crackers, as well as the cinnamon and wheat variations. You can add them to a larger order of spices and sauces.
A Staple for Any Occasion
Every Jamaican kitchen has a pack of Excelsior somewhere. Usually shoved in a cabinet next to the Milo and the condensed milk.
If your stomach is upset, you eat a water cracker. If you are drinking a hot cup of cerasee tea, you dip a water cracker in it. If you have some leftover ackee and saltfish but no hard dough bread, you grab the crackers. They are versatile, dependable, and deeply comforting.
The Reality of Import Prices
It costs a premium to buy Jamaican snacks abroad. But if you want to treat your family back in Jamaica to a full pantry, you can order groceries at local prices and have them delivered directly to their door using store.howjamaica.com.
Spending $5 for a single pack of crackers in the US feels crazy when you remember buying them for pocket change in Jamaica. But distance changes everything. You are paying for the import fees and the sheer convenience.
The Great Tin vs. Bag Debate
True fans know the debate well. Do crackers from the big metal tin taste better than the ones in the plastic pack?
Many swear the tin keeps them fresher and somehow crispier. If you can find the tin in the US, buy it immediately. It doubles as a sewing kit container once you finish the crackers. That is a Jamaican tradition you must uphold. It is practically a rule in Caribbean households.
Watch Out for Crushed Packs
When buying online, packaging matters immensely.
Excelsior crackers are tough, but they aren't invincible. Poorly packed shipping boxes will leave you with a bag of cracker dust. Read the reviews before buying on Amazon. Make sure the seller uses bubble wrap. If you buy them in a physical store, give the bag a gentle shake. If it sounds like sand instead of solid discs, pick another bag. Always dip them in something hot for the best experience. Nobody wants to drink cracker soup.