During the
First Empire, individualism paired with talent to create marvelous works of art that would affect citizens in their everyday lives, and one of the grander forms of this expression was Imperial
Cuisine. Modern Aelyrian cuisine reflects this trend in a variety of fashions, contributing to the development of new senses to tickle the palate and soothe the soul.
Many traditional dishes and practices can be found all over the Empire, but each region and individual city also takes pride in their own culinary practices.
Meals
There are two major meals, or
Cubotri, in the Aelyrian brightening, and celebrating them has become both physiologically beneficial as well as culturally significant.
Rosyun is the first meal of the brightening. It is typically eaten a candlemark or so before midday. It usually consists of dishes high in grain, wheat, honey and milk, for it provides the impetus for the energy for the early portion of the brightening. Rosyun is an intimate meal, sometimes had alone or with the immediate family, and is aimed at a private social experience.
The second meal is called
Pracenda. It is is eaten two or three candlemarks before midnight. Unlike Rosyun, Pracenda is a true feast consisting of at least three major courses: a soup, a meat dish, and a dessert. Pracenda is a wildly social experience and is often shared in large masses, whether at inns, restaurants, or at an informal gathering in the township.
Snacks are very unusual in common cuisine, and are utterly taboo in the strictest and most traditional of culinary circles, for they are believed to interrupt the body's balance of energy and contribute to sloth. It is for that reason that snacks are termed Frubi, or "a separation."
Aelyrian Tea Sharing is the only permissible snack, and it is usually held in mid-afternoon for no less than an hour with close friends, family or new friends. The Tea Sharing is an ancient ritual which predates the Aelyrian Empire and is believed to originate from the Ancient Aelyrians themselves, for sharing a drink - especially if brewed by only one person - indicates implicit trust and friendship amongst the participants.
Beverages
Aside from water, red wine, ale and tea, specialized drinks or 'beverages' appear to be a local phenomenon and differ from region to region throughout the Empire. Some of the more popular drinks are listed below:
AELYRIAN TEA - The purest Aelyrian Tea, used for the Tea Sharing rituals, is made of Tea Leaves grown for over three years (a full "Pattern") on the two ancient villages of the Isle of the Crown. The tea itself is light caramel, almost white, in color, and has a slightly thick and hot texture to it. However, it's taste is invigorating and soothing at the same time. Variations of Aelyrian Tea, sometimes called "impure-teas", are served in common inns, for Aelyrian Tea in its purest form is extremely expensive.
CHARISMEAN WINE - Prepared from heavily aged and fermented grapes from the vineyards of Charisme in Enamoria Province, Charismean wine is a classic beverage which has light amounts of alcohol to enhance its flavor and effects. It is available in both red and white forms.
COFFEE - Coffee beans are rare in the Empire, usually found in extremely small quantities in the Khardran Mountains or the Great Mountains. It is in the latter, however, where Coffee is prepared. Nadirean Coffee blend is considered a vulgar and common drink, but its intense searing heat and often spicing with stimulants is popular in the desert regions of Arakmat Province.
ELFIN TEA - Originating from the city of Silrosia, Elfin Tea is moderately popular and traces back to the elder elves and their racial preferences. Since much of their cuisine is unknown, Elfin Tea is considered a delicacy throughout the Empire, but because it is considered very tasteless, is only had primarily for status.
KEETHCO ALE - A blend of ale common to Riparia in the central lands of Centripax Province, Keethco Ale is a remarkably new brew which has caught popularity throughout the Further Empire, but has not yet attained much recognition in the East.
KING'S ALE - The traditional brew of Ale, sometimes called "Knight's Ale", is served throughout the Empire and is a classic, cold draft originating from the eras of Chivalry and Conquest. Being quite common, King's Ale is relatively inexpensive, but if it imported from the breweries of Candaceburg, Port Constantine or Aelyria Prime, it is often purchased at a premium.
SANGUIS - The reddest of wines is called "Sanguis", the ancient Imperial word meaning "blood", and is believed to have properties which enhance the senses, the circulatory system and at times, even magic. Sanguis wine is prepared from rare fermented grapes of blue and purple in the orchards of Lysandrya and Mnemonya Isle, and cannot be found anywhere else.
Soups
Broths, soups and stews first became popular after the Empire acquired Abestat in its lengthy war with Luctadomum. During a brief recession following recovery from the war, soup was prepared in cities because it was relatively inexpensive and contained nourishing ingredients. Later, soup would become one of the major courses of
Pracenda.
FREGAT - Fregat is a thick, creamy stew made from potatoes and milk, but has a wide variety of vegetables - often corn and broccoli. In the rare occasions that it has meat, the accompanying poultry is almost always steamed lamb. It is relatively new and can be found in Sherian and Carmelyn Provinces.
KROLACA - A steamy, rich broth flavored with small strands of braided pasta, diced chunks of beef, and generous pieces of chicken creates the popular soup Krolaca, which often aids the body in healing or recovering from ailments. It is common throughout the Empire.
Dishes
Most Aelyrian dishes are simple and basic, serving their purpose and trying not to be complicated or intricate to prepare, for soups and desserts are considered to have that quality.
DRELIC - A dish popular in Enamoria and Sherian, Drelic is steamed chicken served over boiled or fried rice. If served in Daltina or Port Alyxandrya, paleba, or honey-covered banana slices, is eaten with the rich meal.
PRONIS - Turkey is prepared heavily seasoned with salt, pepper and olive oil and cooked in a deep pit, wrapped in steamed cloth for at least eight hours to retain the delicious taste and flavor. The feast of a meal can be served with some garnished vegetable, but can also be prepared with pork (Fu'pronis) or chicken (Ak'pronis). It is the most common meal in the Empire.
VEPERES - Leafy greens, onions, and on occasion slices of potato, are mixed together cold and seasoned with olive oil to provide a refreshing and healthy salad. Veperes is an ancient dish which originates from the Isle of the Crown.
ZACHU'EL - Finely ground bread crumbs cover chicken pieces glazed over with egg yolk, so that the bread crumbs properly stick. The chicken is then fried in olive oil, seasoned occasionally with felanisch grains (seeds of a long green stalk-like vegetable found in the midlands). Sometimes, Zachu'el is served glazed with honey.
Deserts
Because most Aelyrian meals are extremely filling, desserts are few and uncommon; yet, the desserts which are eaten are chosen for their sweetness and challenge of the senses to new tastes.
KALATAKYA - Nougat or caramel is covered in the melted form of the Kalat beans grown in Arakmat Province, producing a delicious brown or dark black piece often eaten in chunks or as a slice.
KEMPOTA - A dessert usually served to school children, Kempota is nonetheless a favorite in the Sherian, Enamoria and Prime provinces. A pudding is formed out of fruit extract - usually preicota fruit that grow in Charisme orchards - and served chilled as a delightful, sweet and healthy conclusion to any meal or even a midday snack.
MAGUPAN - Eggs are beaten and mixed with over-boiled milk, and covered in sugar and a dash of flour, then heated for an hour to produce a creamy desert white in color. When the surface solidifies (its interior still creamy), magupan is spiced with cinnamon or honey.
PLAKEN - Cakes and pies are commonly called "plaken", and originate from the center of the Empire's human and dwarven cultures. Pies (us'plaken) are usually breaded and baked fruit or cremes, whereas cakes (mecc'plaken) are made of a flour-based substance and garnished with sugar, honey, or icing.
Cuisine
Linear Mode
