Sea Apple (si æpəl)

Sea apples are a common sweet & sour fruit eaten by underwater societies and races. Originally cultivated by the sea elves the fruit has become a favorite of most races both in fresh and saltwater.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Sea apples have a dark green skin on the outside with lighter green flesh on the inside. The skin is sour and much harder to bite through, while the flesh is sweeter and slightly softer. Surface races often describe the fruit as tasting salty but aquatic races are usually more accustomed to salty food. The texture of the fruit is very similar to a surface apple, although slightly softer. Sea apples are sour and acidic, the acid often mildly leaks into the surrounding water when eaten.

Geology & Geography

Sea apples are unable to be grown on land or in fresh water. The fruit is originally native to the Gulf of Neiko but has since spread to be available easily anywhere in the Sea of Ysmael and sometimes further oceans.

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Origin & Source

The sea apple is grown on a sea apple vine, these long and relatively sturdy vines are commonly farmed in mass by Merfolk and Sea Elves. Sea apple vines are similar to seaweed but more durable and denser.

Life & Expiration

Sea apples take a longer time than most surface fruit to spoil. They take up to 3 months without spoiling in salt water. Upon being moved to fresh water or air sea apples spoil in just a week after being removed.

History & Usage

History

Sages are not sure on whether or not sea apples were merely cultivated by sea elves or if sea elves created the fruit. Myths state that Deep Sashelas had created the sea apple to feed his people.
Sages have discovered that despite the name of the sea apple, the fruit is more closely related to a kiwi fruit.

Everyday use

Sea apples are commonly eaten by aquatic races which require more sugar. Sea apple juice is also commonly made and used as a sauce with fish.

Cultural Significance and Usage

Sea apple sauce is often viewed as a staple seasoning and flavor in Sea Elf food. Even surface elves recognize the sweet & sour flavor of sea elf cuisine.

Manufacturing & Products

Merfolk tend to ferment sea apples into a product they call frizzle wine. Frizzle wine is a highly sour and bitter drink that is often described as an "acquired taste".

Byproducts & Sideproducts

Sea apple vines are left over after the growth of sea apples. These stems are inedible but are sturdy enough to weave into sea grass walling as added reinforcement.

Environmental Impact

Large scale farming of sea apples can be harmful for local environments because of the acid in the fruit. The acid in the fruit leaks out into the surrounding water during harvest which causes the ocean in the area to be slightly acidic. This acid isn't strong enough to harm humanoids but has a subtle effect on local fish species. Large scale farms get around this problem by treating the sea water with lime.

Distribution

Trade & Market

Sea apples are most often sold in large amounts to commoners and nobles alike at simple markets and food stalls in the ocean. Lake settlements often import sea apples from oceans due to demand from sea creatures familiar with the fruit. Surface creatures only ever purchase sea apples as a rare delicacy.

Storage

Sea apples don't need to be preserved underwater due to their extremely high shelf life. When sea apples are transported to land or lakes they often package the apples in barrels full of salt water to preserve it as if it were in the ocean.

Type

Organic

Value

1 SP

Rarity

Common Underwater (rare on land)

Taste

Sweet & Sour

Color

Green