What is lélé wood, typical in Martinique?

What does the lélé wood look like ?

The wood lélé takes the form of a fine wooden stem of 15 to 25 cm, one end of which is composed of 5 short horizontal branches in the form of a star. It is sold without bark and without leaves, you will find it in many shops and souvenir stores.

If you find it in the wild, it is obviously covered with leaves, but you have to respect a particular way of cutting it so that the branch continues to grow afterwards. So, find out more before committing the irreparable.

Don't hesitate to rent a car in Martinique to move around peacefully and find a place where you can get some, either in a store or in the forest!

The origin of lélé wood

The Caribbean Indians discovered the usefulness of this wood by using it as a cooking instrument. Practical and ecological, it is still used today and has become an essential accessory for the preparation of ti'punch in Martinique.

The tree that gives these branches in the shape of a 5-rayed spinneret is mainly found in the north of Martinique. It is about 5m high and is distinguished by its large rigid leaves.

Cocktail shaker and kitchen accessory

In Martinique, the wood lélé thanks to its star shape generally accompanies cocktails. When it is robust, it can also be used as a mixer for certain preparations, replacing the whisk. To use it in this way, it must be placed between the palm of the hands and rolled quickly. Source:la-sorciere-et-le-medecin.com Source:tiracoon.fr