Mompreneur Dr. Corrie Amos is Bringing Jamaican Flavors to Kitchens Everywhere with The Spice Theory
Photo courtesy of Dr. Corrie Amos
written by Shanida Carter
You’ve probably heard the popular quote: “Variety is the spice of life.” Anesthesiologist Dr. Corrie Amos has taken this adage to heart and infused it with a delectable twist. She believes that not only does a variety of good food add zest to life, but when coupled with wholesome ingredients, life can be healthier and longer. And those foods can taste just as yummy as you remember them. That’s why the New York native with Jamaican roots took her medical expertise and blended it with her love for Jamaican cuisine to create The Spice Theory.
Dr. Amos’ love of food started by watching her grandmother make magic happen in the kitchen in Jamaica. That passion didn’t leave her side as she studied medicine and traveled worldwide studying medicinal plants and herbs. Now, her online market offers the savory ingredients of the Caribbean but with a lot less sodium, fillers and preservatives. In this Q&A, Dr. Amos shared how she started The Spice Theory, why it was important to get her family’s approval by tastebuds, why there’s an urgent need to fill the gap between great food and great health and how she’s able to manage it all.
Where in Jamaica are your people from and where in New York City?
My family is from St. Catherine. I spent a considerable amount of time with my grandparents in Bridgeport, St. Catherine, which is right outside Portmore. Various members of my mother's and father's sides of the family migrated to the Bronx in the late 70s and 80s.
What fascinated you about herbs and spices in your grandmother's kitchen?
I was enamored by my grandma Violet's ability to captivate our community with her cooking. Every Saturday morning, she would take delicate care picking the freshest ingredients from the Coronation Market in Downtown Kingston. Watching her using all five of her senses to choose the right sprig of thyme, pimento seeds, or a bunch of scallions was like watching an artist paint a masterpiece. Her process taught me patience and love, which was clearly translated into the meals created for our family.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Corrie Amos
Did your grandmother get the chance to try The Spice Theory before she passed? What did she think?
My grandmother passed away in June 2021, four months after I decided to go into business. Unfortunately, she did not get a chance to sample the spice blends before her passing. However, I did have the opportunity to share my business idea with her. She was proud that I was able to represent Jamaica and continue our shared passion of cooking from the heart. Even at the terminal stage of her life, she continued to pour into me, and encouraged me to pursue The Spice Theory with full force!
You mentioned before that you wanted to be a doctor since age seven. What drew you to medicine?
I set my sight on medicine from a young age. There was something powerful about caring for and healing those in the most vulnerable states. My family held me accountable to my dream, and I am forever grateful to them. They saw the fire burning inside me and they kept the spark alive. I spent my formative years at Mona Preparatory School in Kingston, Jamaica, after which I matriculated to Campion College for high school. My inquisitiveness flourished at these two institutions, where I was able to fortify my knowledge. You could always find me in the nurse's office scouring books about the human body and health education. Once I began my undergraduate education at Spelman College, I was engulfed with many like-minded young women who saw themselves as change agents. This is where I developed a sense of compassion and my initial interest in entrepreneurship.
[Read More: Daughters of the West Indies: Remembering My Grandma Bebe and All our Unsung Sheroes]
When did you start The Spice Theory and how did you come up with the name?
I started the business in February 2021, and we were fully operational in May 2022. The name resonates with me because I want to challenge the notion that deliciously flavored Caribbean cuisine is inherently unhealthy. The way you season your food can be bold and dynamic, as food serves as medicine too. I wanted to put "theory" to "practice", and thus The Spice Theory was born! Our products offer authentic Caribbean flavors with a unique twist! Each spice blend is crafted with all-natural ingredients, free from additives and fillers. They're gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and contain up to 88% less sodium than current options. Most importantly, they are robustly flavorful, proving that embracing healthier options does not compromise taste.
How has the experience been becoming an entrepreneur?
I've often heard women entrepreneurs refer to their business ventures as "babies," and I didn't fully understand the comparison until I experienced both motherhood and entrepreneurship simultaneously. I was in my first trimester with my second child when I decided to take the leap into business ownership. As I prepared for my grandmother to depart this earth, and eagerly anticipated the arrival of my daughter, I saw a need to create healthier food product options that reflect the bold heritage of my Caribbean upbringing. A venture to honor the past and to protect the future's wellbeing. I passionately dove headfirst into building The Spice Theory, knowing the depth of fortitude I carried within me. Managing my family responsibilities while forging a path forward for my budding business would not prove to be easy.
As a mompreneur, I’ve learned to embrace my resilience while giving myself the grace to make mistakes and learn from them. I’ve also learned to build a network of thought leaders and nurturers to help navigate this arduous, yet gratifying journey. This journey as a mompreneur is not linear. The boundaries of your creativity will be stretched, but I hope to teach my children that they, too, can speak life into their dreams and birth something beautiful.
Congratulations on your recent fifth wedding anniversary! How do you manage being a wife and a mom, running The Spice Theory and practicing medicine at Westchester Medical Center in New York?
Thank you! I'm forever grateful for my husband, Chris. He holds down the family fort when I'm working late or at a business event. Without the support of my husband and extended family, I would not have been able to manage everything I do. I also have to give my mother a major shout-out. She extends herself graciously to our family, and she's a tremendous help with the business. Every now and then, we're still able to sneak out for a date night so we can focus on just us. You will often see my mom by my side at in-person events chatting it up with people. I like to call her "Mama Spice!"
What's been the reception to The Spice Theory in your own extended family, especially the elders?
So, my aunts were the first taste testers of the spice blends. Not one seasoning mix could be released without their approval. True to any Caribbean woman, they did not bite their tongues. They made suggestions, and I heeded. It was important to me to keep the essence of my culture at the center of each formulation. I'm happy to say that it is well received amongst my family members, young and old alike. I now observe that several people in my family are now paying closer attention to the ingredients and labels on their food packages, which is one of the true blessings that has come from this venture.
How often do you get to travel to Jamaica and what's been the reception there?
I travel to Jamaica at least once a year to spend time with family and reconnect with old friends. I've had a few people from back home try the different spice blends, and so far, it's been well received. I would like to travel to Jamaica more frequently as a visiting professor of anesthesiology at the University of West Indies. That would truly be a full circle moment for me.
Why has it taken this long for something like this to come to market?
The problem of heart disease and unhealthy eating habits deeply resonates with me on both a professional and personal level. In the United States, heart disease remains the leading cause of death, claiming approximately 659,000 lives annually, with African Americans being 30% more likely to be affected. The lack of healthy Afro-Caribbean food options, compounded by alarming rates of heart disease, especially within the African American community, underscores a pressing need for change. With only 10% of food retailers offering Afro-Caribbean products and the average American consuming 30% more sodium than recommended, our mission is clear: to provide authentic, health-conscious ethnic food options, ensuring cultural representation and fighting heart disease one meal at a time.
The Spice Theory fills a vital gap in the $21B U.S. spices market, providing crucial healthy Afro-Caribbean options to combat high rates of heart disease among African Americans. As a physician of Jamaican heritage, I've been able to combine my culinary passion, culture, and medical knowledge in a meaningful way that speaks health into our communities.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Corrie Amos
Any plans for expansion?
As we continue to grow, we will introduce new products to the food ecosystem, expanding into healthy Caribbean-inspired sauces, condiments, and snacks.
Which spice would you recommend to someone who isn't Jamaican to start trying out these flavors?
I absolutely LOVE the Garlic Herb Pepper Blend, which I affectionately call "Fern Gully"! Made with roasted garlic and a hint of smoky Aleppo pepper, I gave it the moniker "Fern Gully" because it's filled with a bounty of herbs like thyme, parsley, oregano, and basil; its color is reminiscent of the scenic stretch of road in Jamaica with lush overhanging canopy-like forestry. Whether you're sautéing vegetables, simmering soups, or grilling meats, the Garlic Herb Pepper Blend adds bright, aromatic, and smoky flavor to all of your dishes.
I would also recommend the Smoked Scotch Bonnet Pepper Sea Salt. It's the perfect way to taste the unique flavor of the fruity scotch bonnet pepper without being overwhelmed by heat. We use a sea salt that has been naturally smoked with applewood adding a savory flavor that is salty, light, and a little sweet. It's the perfect finishing salt for avocado toast, a fried egg, or a rimming salt for a spicy margarita!
Discover The Spice Theory along with recipes at https://thespicetheory.com.
