Culinary herbs and spices

Herbs and spices are used to flavour foods. Herbs are the leaves of particular plants, while spices can include seeds, barks, and other elements. Some herbs and other plants are used in medicine.
Common culinary herbs and spices found in the Helerin Archipelago are described below.

Culinary herbs

Achamen

Silver in colour and delicate, achamen leaves add a light, floral note to dishes. It only grows in the river plain around Argonsa.

Banthis

The broad, pale leaves of the banthis plant are dried and chopped finely before adding to savoury foods. The herb adds a slightly sweet and nutty flavour. Banthis grows along the banks of rivers, and is particularly cultivated around Gilrimmon.

Meskia

Tiny meskia buds have a sharp, astringent flavour. Used sparingly in food dishes, meskia is also used as a scent in perfumes and oils. Meskia is commonly found across Remon, with Laknas and Harsann both major producers.

Pryval

The dark leaves of the evergreen pryval bush are used to add umami to dishes such as stews. Added during cooking, they are removed prior to serving. Pryval is common across Great Forbin, and grows in abundance around Jalussan. The city of Holdras is a key exporter.

Lombora

Lombora leaves add a powerful earthy flavour to savoury dishes. This tall, grassy plant grows in arid locations, and is actively cultivated in Elinann where it is the signature flavour of local cuisine.

Tevar-Sama

Tevar-Sama is a bushy, leafy herbal plant commonly found along the riverbanks and wetland margins of southern and eastern Teros Major.

Spices

Areem

The fruits of the areem bush (and in particular the seeds) are used to add a fiery heat to savoury dishes. Areem is grown throughout Teros and Mar Mabon, although they are exported and used more widely.

Chorka

The chorka bush grows across the islands, and its dried chorka berries provide a bitter tang to many dishes. It is also used to infuse an alcoholic liquor called Chorkasha, drunk by the Norran of Remon.

Dash Tabar

Dash Tabar is a hard nut, the seeds of the Pajoman tree, ground to a powder and often added to sweet pastries and pies. It brings a zesty, citrus flavour. It is cultivated in Persothan and the swamps of the Festermere by the Bulgiss.

Malofan

The bark of the malofan (a gnarly, thorny shrub) is used to infuse drinks and sauces with a smokey warmth. Most malofan is produced in Natarr.

Nifrin

Nifrin root adds a warming, slightly sweet flavour to foods. It is added to both sweet and savoury dishes. Nifrin grows along the northern coasts of Mar Mabon, and Gathansin is a major exporter.