Caralaba
Caralaba is a type of spice that is obtained by scraping the excess layer off of a crab shell. Not only beneficial for us, the crabs can die from this layer being too thick, so in turn we are saving the crab's life. This spice is one of the hottest in the world, and is a popular flavour sprinkled on ice creams.
The trade for caralaba began in the west coast of Tropacia and east coast of Southland, in the Shattered Skies region. These spice powders were harvested and then shipped off to other countries, earning various towns and villages a decent amount of money.
Properties
Material Characteristics
When is forms the outer layer on a crab, caralaba is very tough to break, and it looks very dry, with cracks all along it, even underwater.
As a spice powder, the grains are very tiny.
As a spice powder, the grains are very tiny.
Physical & Chemical Properties
While caralaba is being scraped off of the crabs, it becomes slightly warmer. The faster the scraping, the hotter it gets. This is avoided because it can burn the harvester and hurts the crab. It is also highly flammable, hence why the powder is stored in cool areas.
Geology & Geography
The spice layer grows on crabs in warmer regions, hence the Shattered Skies. The temperatures of the ocean must be over 25℃. It is mass harvested around the Shattered Skies region, but is also popularly harvested in the reef region of the Region of Sarra, and east Aekor, in their tropical reefs.
Origin & Source
This spice is harvested from many crab species, most commonly muscle crabs. The layer forms when bits of algae and small plants rest on the crab shell, and become infused with it, forming this hard layer on the shell.
Life & Expiration
Once shaven off of the shell, the product can never spoil. Simply place it in a small jar and put in a cupboard, and you can come back to it in a hundred years and it will still be edible, just as it was before.
Distribution
Trade & Market
This ingredient is commonly mass harvested in small towns and villages along the west coasts of Tropacia and east coasts of Southland. Selling the items can support the entire villages and the people within it, since it is a highly sought after ingredient for cooking, especially with Sarrans.
Odor
Smells faintly of fire and ashes
Taste
Very spicy
Color
Dark orange
Related Locations
Related Species
A super hot spice that's popular on ice cream? That I've never heard of. :D That said, I'm not one who can eat super hot food so yeah xD I do like the concept that you have to scrape it off crabs. But, knowing crabs, that cannot be without danger, right? Have people had injuries because of the crabs? Keep up the good work! :D
Yeah! This planet is home to many interesting and questionable ice cream flavours. I'm sure it might be dangerous to harvest them, but the muscle crabs which I mentioned are also tamable so who's to say for sure :)