Apple Bloom

Apple bloom is a fungal parasite that grows on the skin of the fruit of certain apple trees. Nowadays, such trees are confined to The Wilds.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Apple bloom has the appearance of a dusty covering, which on close inspection, is revealed to be purplish-grey in colour. The bloom is easily removed by washing the fruit.

Physical & Chemical Properties

While it is said to be almost flavourless, the few who are in the know insist that apples taste 'more appley' when the bloom is present on the skin. It has a very mild hallucinogenic effect in humanfolk, though this may be more pronounced in other folk.

History & Usage

Everyday use

Apple bloom must be present on the skin of apples used to prepare the ritual drink that induces Enthusiasm. It is believed that, when mixed with wine and other funguses, the hallucinogenic properties of the bloom is greatly increased.

Cultural Significance and Usage

The apple tree was sacred to the humanfolk of Westlo, and they took steps to cultivate it. However, apple bloom is only found on wild trees, so there remained something special about the apples harvested from the Wilds. Only these apples were good enough to be used at festivals such as Pony Night or used in preparation for the drink used to induce Enthusiasm. Apple bloom, therefore, came to be seen as a mark of religious significance. With the passing of time, this connection to religious importance became instead a taboo against eating the apple bloom.

Distribution

Law & Regulation

There is a commonly-held belief in Westlo that eating apples from the Wilds is against the law. This is not the case. The belief probably stems from the requirement that apples for ritual or ceremonial consumption have bloom on them, and therefore that the apples from the Wilds are required most for religious purposes.

Type

Biomaterial

Rarity

Fairly rare. Cannot be cultivated.