#Farm to Fork Capital

[inthedayswhenlandswerefew]

Cannibals [Chapter 5: Sapphires and Cinnamon]

Series summary: You are his sister, his lover, his betrothed despite everyone else’s protests; you have always belonged to Aemond and believe you always will. But on the night he returns from Storm’s End with horrifying news, the trajectories of your lives are irrevocably changed. Will the war of succession make your bond permanent, or destroy the twisted and fanatical love you share?

Chapter warnings: Language, sexual content (18+ readers only), references to war-related violence, Targ chaos terrorizes poor innocent House Corbray, Red and Jace have a lovers' quarrel, interesting news arrives from the Riverlands, bats!!!

Word count: 7.4k

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Like game pieces on a board, he moves the coins he’s using as tokens around the ink-and-parchment Westeros that is rolled open across the table. He’s been underwater for weeks, but now he can breathe again. Aegon is starting to heal, through the worst of the danger and unlikely to die, and he has been tucked away someplace no enemy will find him: an unassuming farm in the countryside surrounding Rook’s Rest, under the protection of the knights of his Kingsguard and tended to by requisitioned maesters. Criston’s infantrymen and cavalry have rested and healed and reorganized to fill the gaps in their ranks following the battles to subdue the turncoat houses of the Crownlands. Yesterday, Aemond rode Vhagar to the stone gates of Claw Isle and accepted a tremulous, tearful surrender from Bartimos Celtigar’s lady wife, in whose care the castle was left. Rhaenyra will receive no further gold from the region, and she will find the treasury of King’s Landing empty, the wealth once stored there split and hidden at Tyland Lannister’s suggestion in Braavos, Casterly Rock, and Oldtown. She will try to tax the smallfolk to fund her war effort, and they will rise up and murder her. That, at least, is Aemond’s hope.

Criston walks into the room. He’s just come from the rookery, where ravens arrive carrying news from Green spies and allies throughout the Seven Kingdoms: the Triarchy will send ships to combat the Sea Snake’s fleet; the Hightower army in the Reach has won battles at the Honeywine, Tumbleton, and Bitterbridge; the Lannister army in the Riverlands triumphed at the Red Fork and Acorn Hall; Cregan Stark is marching south from Winterfell with ten thousand men to fight for Rhaenyra, and they will need to be dealt with.

This will all be over soon, and I can go home. Home to my family, home to her.

“Daemon is restless,” Aemond says, repositioning his coins. “He will tire of enduring Rhaenyra’s orders in the capital, and he will fly elsewhere on Caraxes. He yearns for battle, I know him. A hero’s glory, perhaps even a hero’s death. When he leaves King’s Landing, I will go there on Vhagar and kill Syrax, Vermax, and this new dragon Sheepstealer. I will retake the capital and then leave Daeron as its protector in my stead while I hunt Daemon. Daeron has proven himself in the Reach. He’s growing up.”

Faintly, fondly, Aemond smiles. But Criston appears stricken.

“Bad news,” Aemond says for him. “From where?”

“The Red Keep.”

“Mother?” He fears that Rhaenyra will have her executed like Grandsire, though this would be a grievous mistake. The people love the queen dowager, who has lived among them nearly all her life and selflessly nursed King Viserys while Rhaenyra seduced her uncle, plotted Laenor Velaryon’s death, and secluded herself and her vile nest of bastards and villains on Dragonstone.

Criston is hesitant to begin. Perhaps he isn’t sure if Aemond should know this. “No, your mother and Helaena are still held in the dungeon, captive but in relative safety. Jaehaera and Maelor are wards of Rhaenyra. I would assume she’s trying to win their affection and then arrange politically advantageous betrothals.”

There has been a name left out. Aemond stares up from his map, waiting.

“She’s been taken out of the city,” Criston says.

An impossibility, an irrationality. “What?”

“I don’t know where to, or for what purpose. But she’s not in King’s Landing.”

Aemond says nothing for long, cold, grey minutes. The sky outside beckons in the coming winter like a nefarious houseguest, one who shares your dinner table and then slits your throat while you’re asleep. When he finally speaks, his voice is low but fierce. “She’s no threat to them.”

“She isn’t.”

“She can’t travel by dragon.”

“No,” Criston agrees. “So they must have transported her by land or sea.”

Aemond shakes his head. “Why would Rhaenyra do that?”

Criston’s dark eyes are afraid. “I don’t know.”

“Where might they have sent her? Where could she be?”

“Anywhere, Aemond,” Criston says helplessly. “Anywhere.”

And it rises in him like magma through the earth: a scorching venom that pools in the capillary beds of his lungs, a fatal heat that burns away flesh and bones and reason.

~~~~~~~~~~

Rain falls from the sky, sea spray erupts from the waves, stinging eyes and the abrasions on your skin from falling on the rocks over and over again. You are a child, and you are tracking Vermithor on Dragonstone. The mist is so thick that Criston and the guards have lost sight of you, and you can hear them shouting for you to wait for them, but you can’t, you can’t, you’ve wanted this for years and now it’s about to happen. You can feel the volcanic stones, black and serrated, quaking as the Bronze Fury stomps in his hovel. The cave is shrouded in fog, but you know he’s in there. He is growling, a sound like thunder. You can see the glinting gold of his eyes.

“Vermithor!”you command him in High Valyrian, holding out your hands, your maroon gown billowing around you in the vicious wind. Strands of long silver hair are torn from your braid. Blood runs in thin rivulets from your ravaged palms down your wrists and forearms. Saltwater burns like fire in the gashes on your feet; you’ve lost your shoes while scrambling over the rocks. “All my life I’ve dreamed of you, and now we will fly together at last. We will be bonded to one another until death. We will preserve the realm and burn our enemies. Serve me, Vermithor! Serve me!”

He emerges from his cave: a colossal skull covered in scales and spines, steam rising from his nostrils, jagged fangs bared, eyes that are at once reptilian and mindless and wrathful and sage. He is a century old and unfathomably mighty; he is an inheritor of the sacred magic of Old Valyria. He judges you with eyes like kindling flames.

“Red, step back!” Aemond yells from where he watches, his black cloak like a banner in the wind, closed at the neck with a silver chain and with a constellation of silver buttons in the shape of Vhagar’s wings across his shoulders. He is the only person who has kept pace with you. “Give him room! Let him approach you!”

But Vermithor is yours, there is no other possibility, in your heart he has always been yours, he has been the beast you claimed in your soul when you first heard his legends as Aemond read them aloud to you, Aegon, Helaena, Daeron under the heart tree in the Godswood of the Red Keep, and now you will climb onto his back and fly with him and meet Aemond and Vhagar in the mist-grey sky. From deep in his throat, the Bronze Fury snarls.

“Vermithor, be calm! Don’t you recognize me? We are meant for each other. We belong to each other. The dragon egg I was given in the cradle didn’t hatch so I could come here and find you instead. I am not afraid of you. I will not flee from you. Serve me! Serve me!”

“It’s not working,” Aemond tells you with dawning horror. “Get away from him! Red, get away!”

“Serve me, Vermithor!” you scream, and now you’re terrified, because his jaws are opening and dragonfire is boiling up into his mouth, crimson and glowing. “No, no!”

You try to run but the heat is already everywhere, and the air is suddenly too hot to breathe, and when you touch your face with your bloody hands you can feel your cheeks blistering. And then something collides with you like a lance striking a jousting knight, and you are thrown to the ground. It’s Aemond, and he is shoving you down into a crevice between two slabs of black basalt, and when instinctively you try to push him away—you’re always fighting him, something wild to be tamed—Aemond pins your wrists to your chest and shields your body with his, shrinking from the lethal heat of the world outside and burying his face in the velvet of your gown.

Then Criston and the guards and the Dragonkeepers are here, and with their ancient spells the Dragonkeepers convince Vermithor to retreat into his cave. When Aemond helps you out of the crevice, you see that the buttons on the back of his cloak have melted, and if the attack had lasted even a moment longer he’d be dead.

~~~~~~~~~~

When you wake in your bedchamber at the top of a tower of Heart’s Home, Jace is already gone. You peer through the window and see him strolling in the castle courtyard with Lord Leowyn Corbray, both of them bundled up in heavy furs; there is a layer of powdery snow on the ground, just as high as the ankles. The pine trees of the surrounding forest sway in the cold mountain wind. Servants lead horses in and out of the stable. And you wonder randomly: Do they have bats in the Vale?

Maids hear you walking around and file into the room to show you the clothes your closet has been stocked with through House Corbray’s generosity and help you dress. They try to distract you, but you notice anyway: one of them strips the bed and takes the sheets away, blotted with a watery, pale pink stain of blood. You’re sore, but not terribly so, just enough pain to remind you—when you move in certain ways—that you are wed to Jace, and that he took you last night as any husband would, and that now you could be carrying his dark-haired heir. The thought stuns you; you’ve never been more than ambivalent to the prospect of bearing children. Your dreams were of Vermithor, and marrying Aemond, and being possessed by him in every sense possible. Motherhood would come later, and you had always assumed you would one day begin to dream of that too.

Do I dream of it now?

No, you feel in your bones. Not now. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

The colors of the Vale are chilly and weak like the sky. The maids show you velvet gowns of dusky rose, icy blue, moss green, dove grey. After some consideration, you choose the blue. Then you wander the castle, your drafty stone prison, your new home. There are no tapestries of the Hightower or wrathful dragons or lovers ensnared like knotted threads, no familiar faces. Heart’s Home is austere, its primary embellishments being candlelit chandeliers and rugs made from dead animals, and the loudest sound you hear is the whistling of wind through cracks in the walls, frigid air that howls in from the Mountains of the Moon.

After much exploration you find the rookery, where ravens squawk in their cages and bed down in mounds of straw, and through the window is a view of snowcapped mountains that stretch on endlessly like a sea. There is no table to write on, and you see no parchment or ink or quills, and you don’t know which raven (if any of them) is trained to fly to Rook’s Rest. It doesn’t matter; you can’t write to Aemond without endangering your family held hostage in King’s Landing. And even if you could, what would you say to him?

Aemond, I’ve married Jace and I did it to save you. But don’t fear for my safety. I am protected here, I am content enough. I have no dragon, but I can help fight the war in my own way. Jace seems to like me. I might even be beginning to like him too.

“You’re not supposed to be in here,” someone says, and you whirl to see Lord Corbray’s wife filling up the doorway.

You do not bow or curtsey. As a princess, you outrank her. “Lady Caroline.” No. Not quite. “Lady Carolyn. Lady Carolina.” Then you remember. “I am so sorry, Lady Carolei. Forgive me.”

She laughs boisterously. “Carolei is a common name in the Vale, but not elsewhere, I’ve been told. My closest friends here call me Lady Caro, you can feel welcome to do the same.”

“Lady Caro. Please allow me to apologize again.”

“Oh no, that won’t be necessary. I’m sure you had a late night.” Her eyes—large and round, almost bulging, and a very pale blue—sweep from your feet to your face. “But you didn’t have too bad of a time with it, I think.”

“The maids took the sheets,” you say like an accusation.

She smiles, perhaps a little guiltily. “As High As Honor,” she replies. “They are the words of House Arryn, but all the great families of the Vale aspire to be above reproach.”

“And you are a great family.” It’s more of a question.

“We are not grand or wealthy, that’s true,” Lady Caro concedes. “And I can imagine our little castle cannot compare to King’s Landing or the Hightower of your Mother’s house. But we are dependable and honest. What Queen Rhaenyra has entrusted us with is a tremendous privilege. We will abide by her instructions, and endeavor to satisfy her every request.”

“So she wanted to know that I bled.”

Lady Caro shrugs—I can’t tell you that—and then signals for you to follow her. “Join me in the Great Hall. We’ll have some cinnamon tea.”

The Great Hall of Heart’s Home is about the same size as your bedchamber in the Red Keep, with two rows of wooden tables and a crackling fire in the hearth. When you look into the glowing embers, you are reminded of Vermithor’s flames. Cool overcast light falls like snow in through the windows. Lady Caro gestures for you to sit with her at the table closest to the fire, and maids bring you fried eggs and bacon, fresh bread, butter, blackberry jam, and cinnamon tea, milky and aromatic and very sweet.

“It must be difficult for you,” Lady Caro says thoughtfully as she slurps her tea, steam wafting into the air. “Being so very far from your family. Even if they are traitors.”

She seems to be testing you for a reaction. You gaze into your tea and try not to let tears well up in your eyes as you think of them: Mother and Helaena in a dungeon, Jaehaera and Maelor with strangers, Jaehaerys and Grandsire dead, Daeron at war, Aegon burned, Aemond hating me once he learns of my betrayal. None of us are in the same place. That’s not how it’s supposed to be. “But you must be far from home too. Women get married off and sent across the world, it’s nothing new.”

“This is true,” Lady Caro muses. “I am originally of House Coldwater, and if you think Heart’s Home is plain and remote, I hope you never see Coldwater Burn. You’ve probably never even heard of it.”

“It’s up near the Fingers,” you say softly, remembering Aemond showing you dots littering the Vale on one of his maps, warm firelight, teasing hands, his lips murmuring against the shell of your ear. “The colors of its banner are blue, red, and white.”

She gasps and presses a palm to her chest, delighted. Her already ruddy cheeks flush pinker. “Mother have mercy, they teach that in the capital?”

“I have an interest in geography.” No, you don’t; but Aemond does.

“Do you embroider or sing?”

“Neither. Not well, anyway. Helaena works miracles with a needle and thread.” Absently, you touch your gown where beneath the pale blue velvet a scar runs from your left collarbone down to the top of your breast. So does Aemond.

Lady Caro observes this curiously, peering at you over the rim of her mug. “How did you occupy yourself before you came here? I do want to make you feel as comfortable as possible.”

Because you are kind? Because Rhaenyra told you to? Or because I might be the queen myself someday? “I spent a lot of time with my brothers and sister,” you answer honestly, dolefully. And I kept bats. You decide to omit this. “We all had our crafts. I made mosaics out of seashells.”

Lady Caro titters. “Seashells? Well, they aren’t exactly abundant, but there are some out near where the river meets the Narrow Sea. I’ll see if I can have a bucketful brought to you.”

“I can collect them.”

“The water is very cold, and the current powerful.”

“I like to choose my own shells. You can send knights to watch over me, I’m not hoping to drown myself or anything.”

Now Lady Caro laughs loudly. “Drown yourself! The things you say, princess…”

You decide to try to make conversation to encourage her affection, as Mother would want you to. “Do you have children, Lady Caro?”

“Oh yes, five of them. Four died though. Awful luck, isn’t it?” She goes somber, staring blankly out the nearest window for a long while, leaving you unsure of what to do or say. Eventually, she returns to the Great Hall and is cheerful again. “My daughter Jessamyn was married into House Mallister of Seagard. I get to see her and the children once every few years. And she’s nothing like you.”

You smirk cautiously. “What does that mean?”

“It means she’s very sweet and agreeable and naïve.” And then Lady Caro winks at you, and you realize you might be becoming friends. “Not like a Targaryen.”

You drink your cinnamon tea and think of last night, feeling a strange brew of fondness and shame and relief and loss. “Sounds a bit like Jace though.”

“Yes, well,” Lady Caro says, then wisely leaves the rest unspoken. He’s more of a Strong, isn’t he?

One of the Great Hall’s heavy wooden doors creaks open and Jace strides inside, wearing black accented with red and a bear fur coat overtop, speckled with snowflakes. More flurries are melting in his hair. You stand to meet him and he takes both of your hands. You smile uneasily, not knowing what to expect; then Jace playfully kisses the knuckles of your right hand, and after that your left, and he beams at you.

Instead of a greeting, he says: “We have a few more days together, then I have to go away.”

It’s the second time a man has told you this. “Go where?”

Jace shrugs evasively. No one is allowed to tell you anything. “Do you like horses?”

“Sure.” Aemond used to take you to visit his war horses, all towering and temperamental: Rusty, Apple, Fox, Ladybug, Pomegranate. Then he would watch as you stroked their forelocks and their downy muzzles, his remaining eye fixed on you, imagining sins that never felt like damnation but rather searing, tumultuous waves like an ocean of blood.

“Good. I’ll show you the stable.” Jace kisses you, a quick peck for modesty’s sake since you aren’t alone. He grins and licks his lips. “Mm. You taste like cinnamon.” Something warm, something red. He turns to Lady Caro. “Thank you for making us feel so welcome. The queen will be pleased to hear of your devoted service to the crown. We know that this is an imposition, and we appreciate your generous sacrifice.”

“Nonsense,” Lady Caro replies, and she seems to mean it. “It’s no imposition. It’s an honor.” Then she rises to her feet. “Let me find some boots and a fur coat for the princess.”

Once you are properly guarded against the cold—wrapped in a thick coat of fox pelts—Jace links his arm through yours and leads you outside, and you tread together through the shallow snowfall toward the stable.

“You’ve probably never even seen snow before,” Jace says, and you agree even though this isn’t true. You saw snow here in the Vale when you were very young—you don’t even remember which castle Mother and Father had been visiting on their royal progress—and that was the trip when Aemond pushed you into a frozen river and you caught a chill that almost killed you.

“Jace?” you ask, cutting him off mid-sentence. You hadn’t meant to interrupt him; your mind had been wandering.

He looks at you with some trepidation, as if he’s worried you might have a complaint. “Yes?”

“Why are you being so nice to me?”

He blinks at you, then exhales in a relieved chuckle. “You’re asking why I’m nice?”

“You never liked me before. And you had no reason to.” In your eyes, I was a traitor. If you could tell what I’m feeling, you’d know I still am.

He ponders how to answer as you walk. Now his expression is serious. “I always knew that when I married—to whoever it was, although for most of my life I believed it would be someone else—that would be it for me, and I would never be estranged from her or take another lover. There are so many families with…” He pauses, and you watch him closely. “There are so many children who suffer from the indiscretions of their parents.” There is a bloom of ashamed, gory pink in his cheeks, and you know he is speaking of himself, and of all the bastards anywhere in the world who have ever been made to feel lied to, less than, disgraced, disavowed. “I swore to myself that I would be a good husband and father, and that my own household would be…wholly uncomplicated.”

“So you would act this way with anyone. With whoever you were wed to.”

“Well…” He smiles softly. “As it turns out, there are things I like about you.”

“Really?” you tease, grinning, and when you reach the stable you shove the door open and step inside onto a straw-strewn floor. There’s no biting mountain breeze here in the shadows, and the body heat radiating off the horses makes the air more hospitable. Jace seems surprised you didn’t wait for him to open the door for you. “What things?”

“Several things,” Jace says, then—now that you are alone aside from the horses nickering and chomping on hay in their stalls—wraps his arms around your waist and holds you from behind, kissing the side of your neck. You have to resist the reflex to fight him off so he can overpower you, pin you to the floor, fuck you as you hiss and claw at him and tell him to stop. Jace wouldn’t understand it. Jace would be horrified by it. “Here,” Jace whispers, skimming a hand over your gown where he made you bleed last night. Then his palms travel up to your breasts. “And here.” Then he nuzzles your silver hair as he gently unfastens your braid and inhales deeply. “And I like this too. Although I’d be interested to see you wear it in a style that is a little…softer.”

“Softer?” you echo doubtfully.

“You’re not a warrior,” Jace says as if he thinks you will want to hear this, as if it will comfort you. It doesn’t. “And that’s alright. You can be soft. You can be ladylike.”

You don’t feel very much like a lady. You feel like a kettle full of boiling water, like lava bursting up through the cracks in the earth, like dragonfire hemorrhaging from a beast’s gaping throat. Now you and Jace are on the wooden floor of the stable, displacing straw as you kiss hungrily and pull off each other’s coats. Jace climbs on top of you, and you think: I can’t do this again, not like last night. I want to be fed too.

Jace stops to marvel at your face, his thumb skating over the curve of your cheekbone. “I want to make it as good for you as it is for me,” he says solemnly. “Last night it was over so quickly, and…I didn’t…I feel like I could have done more, but I don’t know…I’m not sure if…”

You grab his right hand and lace your fingers through his. “Can I show you how I touch myself?”

Jace’s eyebrows go up. “You touch yourself?”

“Don’t you?”

“Well, yes,” he admits bashfully, blushing. He does this a lot, you are learning. “But I’m a man.”

You smile. “Women experience longing too, Jace.”

“Yes,” he says, and now he’s breathing quickly and it sounds less like he’s merely intrigued and more like he’s begging for it. “Show me. Please show me.”

You take his hand and guide it beneath your gown, up the length of your legs, stopping where you are slick and needful, an ache so deep it hurts like the cramps when your blood arrives each month. You place two of Jace’s fingers on the right spot—he keeps inadvertently moving his hand just off the mark, and each time you put it back where it belongs—and lead him into a rhythm, a tight swift circling and pressure that makes your thighs open wider for him and your spine arch.

Jace murmurs as you pant on the stable floor, shadows on your face and straw in your hair: “Is this okay, am I hurting you at all?”

“You can press down pretty hard,” you assure him. “You won’t break me. I’m not glass.”

He’s trying not to lose his focus. “Okay…okay…”

“Jace,” you gasp as you sling your arms around the back of his neck and cling to him, your hips rocking, and he moans and kisses you—deeply, passionately, gluttonously—and under your dress his hand suddenly strokes you so forcefully it’s almost painful and then it’s on you, that feeling better than anything else on earth, being opened, being dragged under, being ignited, being devoured until you go weak and limp and boneless, aftershocks throbbing and your lips smiling drowsily. “Jace, Jace, Jace,” you breathe dizzily, still holding him.

He is gazing down at you, awestruck. “When can I watch you do that again?”

“Soon,” you purr through Jace’s dark curls. “Now…your turn.”

You are barely aware of it as he pushes the hem of your gown up to your waist and frees himself from his trousers, and you only come back to Jace when he enters you—your flesh still tender from last night, but wet and wanting him—and he is careful as he slowly pushes himself all the way inside, trying not to hurt you again. Then he thrusts and you are stunned by how good it feels, like your climax made everything more sensitive, more ready, more flawlessly tailored to fit with him. Jace doesn’t last much longer than the first night, and yet just before it’s over there is the ghost of something, a vague desire that is building, and you think next time (or the time after that, or the time after that) you will be able to finish again, and you will be drained like a slaughtered animal with its throat cut and its body hung by the feet, every last blood drop purged and collected in a bucket to be used for fertilizer or pig feed.

Lying together exhausted on the stable floor, you twirl one of Jace’s curls around your finger and—purely by instinct, because it’s what you and Aemond used to do—whisper to him in High Valyrian: “I love how you touch me, thank you, I needed this, I needed you.” But you can tell by the way Jace turns to you, startled and a little self-conscious, that he doesn’t understand what you said.

“I know some High Valyrian, of course,” he explains quickly. “But I’m…I’m still learning.”

“Oh.” It doesn’t come easily to him. Because he’s a Strong, and the Strongs have nothing to do with Old Valyria. And then, to temper the blow: “I can help you practice.”

“Who taught it to you?” Jace asks. He is suspicious, then hopeful. “Helaena?”

You should lie to him, but you don’t. At some point you have to start letting raindrops of the truth seep in. You are going to share a household with Jace, your bodies, your futures, your children. You want him to understand who you really are. You can’t pretend forever; already, it is stifling, a constant and trudging effort, a vanishing until you are transluscent like clear water. You are reminded of all the times when you’ve tried to hide pieces of yourself to please Mother, whose Hightower blood was washed away by the grim, intoxicating magic of the Targaryens. “No, Helaena doesn’t speak High Valyrian except when giving commands to Dreamfyre. She can understand it fairly well, though.”

Jace nods, studying you, but he doesn’t say anything else. The phantom of Aemond stands in the far corner of the stable. You think: I am a traitor to both of them, I am a house of no banners. After a moment, you ask Jace for your very first favor.

“I want Helaena freed from the dungeon in the Red Keep,” you say. “I understand Rhaenyra’s distrust of Mother, but Helaena is innocent. She should be confined to her chambers and permitted to see her children. And allowed to walk in the garden sometimes too.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Jace says distractedly.

“You know Helaena. She is gentle, she is fragile. She deserves compassionate treatment.”

“So did Luke,” Jace replies; and though he takes your hands and helps you to your feet as horses snort and paw at the straw-covered floors of their stalls, he averts his dark gaze—an inheritance from his bloodline, the indomitable lineage of the First Men—and doesn’t meet your eyes.

Two days later he departs Heart’s Home for a destination that Lord and Lady Corbray know, surely, but you don’t. Jace bids you farewell at the edge of the field beyond the castle walls as Vermax waits impatiently for him across the clearing, not liking the mountain cold, not liking you. Jace wears black and red as he almost always does, the colors of his mother’s house. His curls are ruffled by the breeze, his red cloak flowing down from his shoulders like a trail of blood.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Jace touches your cheek, then your chin. “I’ll miss you and all those things I’ve discovered I like so much.”

You smile back. You have the beginning of a headache—a throbbing above your left eye, a fuzziness in your thoughts—but you’re trying not to show it. “I’ll be here.” Where else could I go?

“I love you,” Jace says, and then looks at you expectantly. It takes you a minute to realize he’s waiting for you to say it too.

You open your mouth, but your pulsing skull is clamoring with prayers you cannot voice. Please protect the family I have left. Please don’t find a way to kill Aemond. At last you manage: “I love you,” but it sounds hollow and unnatural and cold, like stark snowcapped peaks and the gales that shriek through them.

Nonetheless, Jace is satisfied. He tilts up your face to bring his lips to yours and then treks across the field towards Vermax, leaving footprints in the fresh snow. His sword hangs from his belt. He practices with knights in the castle courtyard each day, and he’s not bad, you’ve observed anxiously. Not as good as Aemond, but not bad.

That night you see the shadow of something interrupting the moonlight that floods in through the window of your bedchamber, and when you push open the glass a bat lands clumsily on the sill and then scrabbles inside. You squeal with delight and scoop it into your arms. It’s a male and a different sort of bat than the ones in King’s Landing, larger in size, black and white in color and with long fanlike ears. He sniffs at you and gazes up with small but intelligent inky eyes. Then, as a mark of friendship, he begins to lick at your fingertips.

“And what do you eat, huh?” you coo as you pet him. “Probably not honey or fruit if you live way up here in the mountains. Probably just bugs. Should I try to catch you some spiders tomorrow? This decrepit old castle must be full of them.”

You have to name him. And this is an opportunity to break all your old patterns. You could call him Seahorse for Jace’s false house, or Dragon for his true one. You could call him the High Valyrian word for bat or wings. You could name him after something black, the color that Jace favors. And yet as you hold him, old memories come screaming back to you, Aemond helping you tend to your bats, Aemond protecting them, moments of kindness and understanding that you now fear were illusions.

He never said he loves me. Not once in eighteen years.

You keep waiting for a glimpse into Aemond’s mind, a stabbing pang of loss and longing when he realizes you’ve been taken away, but it never happens. You keep waiting for him to find you and descend upon House Corbray with fire and blood.

Aemond, where are you? Aemond, have you forgotten me?

“Sapphire,” you whisper to your new bat—your only bat—and he looks up at you as if he knows his name.

~~~~~~~~~~

Jace is gone for weeks, and in his absence you try to learn how to be his wife. You ask Lady Caro to teach you how to wear your hair like the ladies of the Vale: soft waves, sedate buns knotted at the nape of the neck, delicate wisps that frame the face and blow in the harsh mountain wind. You attempt to cultivate an affinity for pale impassionate colors. You distract yourself so you don’t think of Aemond. You catch spiders and moths in secret to feed to Sapphire when he visits you each night. You spend days practicing quiet, feminine embroidery—ruining yarn scenes, piercing your fingertips with needles—until you give it up and fling the cursed tangle of threads away and return to your strange fixations that once confounded Mother.

Lady Caro sends knights to accompany you to the mouth of the river, and you wade up to your knees in the icy water plucking rare shells out of the silt and the pebbles. You are not permitted to collect bones from the forest—there are bears and wolves and shadowcats—but you arrange for the hunters to give you what’s left of the carcasses once they’ve been skinned and butchered. The carpenters give you boards of wood and the blacksmiths forge you a small iron mallet. Sometimes Lady Caro stands in the castle kitchen watching you boil animal bones in a caldron or in your bedchamber as you shatter shells and paint the shards with glue, and she shakes her head, surely thinking: What is wrong with these Targaryens?

You don’t dare to make any mosaics of Aemond. It’s too dangerous, and too painful, and too revealing of what you’re truly feeling. So instead you piece together visions of the rest of them: Aegon smirking over a goblet of red wine, butterflies landing on Helaena’s outstretched palm, Daeron riding Tessarion, Mother smiling at Criston, Jaehaera and Maelor playing together in the garden of the Red Keep. You hang them on the walls of your bedchamber and at night you sleep better.

When Jace and Vermax return to Heart’s Home, you and Lady Caro are in the inaptly named Great Hall sipping cinnamon tea and nibbling blackberry oatcakes, and Lady Caro is telling you about her flock of grandchildren who reside at Seagard on the shore of the Sunset Sea. “Jasper is clever but terribly loud, and then Joy won’t talk to humans at all but loves her cats…” She trails off as your husband rushes into the room, his steps buoyant, his red cloak flying behind him.

“Welcome back, Prince Jacaerys,” Lady Caro says as she stands to greet him. “I hope your travels were comfortable and all your ventures went well.”

“Very well,” he says, grinning, alight with victories that are yet unspoken. Lady Caro dismisses herself to give the two of you privacy, promising to bring cinnamon tea for Jace. As soon as she is gone, Jace bolts to the table.

“What happened?” you ask he sits opposite of you. The hearth throws off rage-colored heat.

Please let this be peace and not violence. Please don’t have harmed anyone I love.

He is beaming as he takes a messy bite of a blackberry oatcake, crumbs falling down onto the table. And he must have decided that he can begin telling you his secrets now. Perhaps he trusts you; perhaps he knows there’s nothing you can do to sabotage him anyway, no ravens to send, nobody to inform. “I found someone to ride Vermithor.”

The realization sinks inside you, dark and heavy, an anchor, a sickness. You murmur, knowing it is pointless: “He was supposed to be mine.”

“Well…he didn’t agree.”

This hurts you; Jace doesn’t seem to notice. You think of the tiny wooden Vermithor that Aegon once carved for you, and you wonder if it’s still on your dresser in Maegor’s Holdfast or if Rhaenyra has burned or broken it, or mistaken it for something of no value.

“Corlys’ bastard Addam has claimed Seasmoke,” Jace continues, as if this could not possibly be anything to you but good news. “Vermithor and Seasmoke are now helping Mother to safeguard the capital. Daemon and Nettles…” Jace gestures awkwardly. There was a falling out with Rhaenyra. “They’ve taken Harrenhal as a base in the Riverlands. So we needed more help in King’s Landing, and we found it.”

We have two battleworthy dragons. Now they have six. No wonder Jace is so pleased.

“And there are still other unclaimed dragons,” you say dully, nauseous with dread.

“Yes,” Jace agrees. “But unfortunately, Aemond realized what we were doing. So he took possession of Dragonstone, and he and Vhagar are always back and forth from there, and no one can approach the island and risk him happening upon them.” Another bite of his blackberry oatcake, more crumbs, more casual chewing. “Which brings me to my question for you.”

“For me?”

Jace nods. “I need you to tell me what he’s going to do next.”

You stare at your husband inanely. “What?”

“Aemond is the problem,” Jace says, more agitated now. He devours the last of his blackberry oatcake. “Even with all the dragons we have, it’s going to be difficult to destroy Vhagar. Our new dragonriders are inexperienced, and Daemon, he’s…” Jace waves a hand. “Unreliable. Self-serving. But you were there at the Red Keep with Aemond when he and Criston were drawing up their plans, and therefore you can help us.”

You lie immediately. “I don’t know anything.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Another lie. “Really. He didn’t discuss it with me.”

“Then tell me about him,” Jace says impatiently. “I know he’s good with a sword, but he must have weaknesses. Does he have lasting pain from his maiming, does he have vices that distract him?”

I’m not convinced I knew Aemond at all. “I’m not going to help you kill him.”

Jace glares at you incredulously. “How do you think this ends?”

“Rhaenyra promised Mother that Aemond would be spared, and you were a part of that bargain—”

“We said we would let him live if he’s still alive when the war is over, but we can’t win the war if he and Vhagar are seizing castles and territory and burning our men and supplies and nobody can stop him!”

“Does he know that…” You swallow, your throat burning. “Did Rhaenyra send him a raven to tell him about our marriage?” About my treason, about my ruining?

“No. Why would we provoke him like that? Why would we put a target on my back? The realm will be told when the battles are past and the surviving Green loyalists must be convinced to bend the knee.”

You close your eyes and you can’t picture Aemond as a warrior; you can only see him as a child with stitches and agony, as a man who gave you forbidden, bewitching pleasure. “I don’t know anything. I can’t help you.”

“I did as you asked,” Jace snaps. “I persuaded Mother to give Helaena more freedom, I ensured that Alicent is healthy and that Jaehaera and Maelor are well cared for and never lonely. I can probably even save Daeron. But Aemond must be stopped.”

“He’s my family too—”

“I am your family now!” Jace roars, jolting to his feet and pounding on his own heart. “Me and my siblings, and my parents, and my children, not them!”

One of the doors of the Great Hall swings open and Lady Caro is there with a tray of cinnamon tea and fresh blackberry oatcakes. She gapes at you and Jace, too shocked to remember to be polite. It’s too late for her to pretend she hasn’t heard. She stalls, trying to think of something to say.

“I believe we’re having venison for dinner,” she announces with feigned cheerfulness.

Jace looks at you one last time—with disappointment, with fury—and storms out of the room.

~~~~~~~~~~

He doesn’t come to bed all night, and you leave the window wide open so Sapphire can glide in and visit you: hanging from your bedposts, scrambling over your blankets, and then vanishing shortly before daylight. You have a headache that worsens until you are half-blind and sick to your stomach, and the maids hear you retching and bring you toasted bread and ginger tea and a bucket and wet cloths to cool your face.

Lady Caro wanders in and sits down beside you, her weight shifting the feather mattress, and pats your shoulder sympathetically. “I think you should tell the prince that his efforts have been successful.” To produce an heir, she means, and you’re convinced she’s wrong.

“That’s not what it is,” you moan, burrowing under the blankets. “I’m sick all the time.”

“You haven’t had your monthly blood since you’ve been here,” Lady Caro says gently, and of course she knows this because of her maids, her spies. You stare up at her vacuously, unable to comprehend it.

Pregnant with Jace’s child?

And this feels like a final severing of any possibility that Aemond will ever want you back. No other man was allowed to lie with you. Now Jace has wed you, bedded you, bred with you, turned your coat.

You force yourself out of bed and let the maids dress you and comb your hair, nursing the ginger tea—unappetizing, but good for nausea—as you gather your courage. You aren’t sure how to tell Jace. You aren’t sure that you want to see him at all.

Your skull still throbbing and your bare feet unsteady, you stumble through the cold stony corridors of the castle until you hear men arguing spiritedly in the Great Hall, their voices rumbling like thunder. Inside you find Lord Corbray, a number of lords and knights, and the maester of the castle. Jace is bent over one of the tables and reading, then rereading, a letter that the maester must have brought from the rookery.

Lord Corbray is saying: “They write that he has already razed Darry, Blackbuckle, Claypool, Swynford, and Spiderwood. The noble houses are constructing scorpions, but even with them, how many bolts would be needed to kill Vhagar? She’s massive, she’s monstrous. The Northmen are marching south, but now they’re saying they won’t go beyond the Twins without Caraxes and Sheepstealer as escorts, and can we count on Daemon for anything…?”

Jace looks up and sees you standing in the threshold. His dark curls hang over his bloodless face; his eyes are staggered and fearful. And twistedly, horribly, there is a flash of light that burns radiantly through the murky gloom of your skull and your ribcage, a forbidden vindication, a rapture you can never reveal.

Aemond remembers me? Aemond longs for me?

Jace says: “He thinks you’re in the Riverlands.”

[sacramentohistorymuseum]

October 12th is National Farmers Day! Considering Sacramento is known as the “Farm-To-Fork Capital,” this day is very fitting for the agricultural industry in the Sacramento Valley with 1.5 million acres of farmland in the region.

For today, Howard letterpress printed a small cut of a circa 1900 trademark for the Bowker Fertilizer Company in New York. This is from the Al from New Jersey Collection. The image depicts two farmers standing under a tree in the middle of a harvested field. The text states, “FEED THE PLANT AND THE PLANT WILL FEED YOU.” This was printed with black rubber base ink using our Washington hand press.

[extremelyblackandwhite]

pairing: dad!bucky barnes x au pair!reader

warnings: age gap (reader is 10 years younger than bucky), smut (18+, dni if under 18)

author’s note: sorry this one is a bit short. i am worrying myself silly until tomorrow.

masterlist

and wouldn't you love to love her?

Bucky didn't know if Y/N wouldn't be back. He had decided to give her space, allow her the time off since she never had any but explaining it to Sadie was, to say the least, complicated. The two year old had decided to live up to the terrible two cliche and between refusing to go to school and kicking any time he tried to bathe her. Whenever she asked when Y/N would be back all Bucky could say was that he did not know and, honestly, that was the truth. The more the days passed by and her viva examination got closer, he was starting to believe more and more that maybe she just wasn't coming back at all. I like you just the way you are, what ever happened to Hey Y/N, would you like to go for some coffee? No, he just had to be upfront about it.

As if Sadie living up to her prophecy wasn't enough, Christopher was equally on him blabbing and wondering about Y/N. He could only tlel him so much before Chris charted a jet to Ohio and he was certain Y/N would hate that more than what he told her.

Bucky was in the middle of dealing with Sadie screaming bloody murder about the pancakes not having chocolate chips when he heard the front door close. At this point, if someone came to shoot him in the head he wouldn't mind. However, it turned out to be a much pleasant sight dressed in a professional black dress.

      - Why is she crying? - Y/N drapped her coat over the chair.

      - There's no chocolate chips. - Bucky sighed both of relief that Y/N was here and of tiredness.

      - Sadie Barnes, you either eat your pancakes or there will be no TV, no tablet, no toys, no Etch-a-Sketch and definitely no Bluey, Disney + or any other streaming service your dad may be paying for. Your choice.

The redhead stared at Y/N before starting to eat her pancakes. That's it, Y/N was a witch. She had to be a witch. That's it. She was a witch, a very pretty witch who looked way too polished to have come out of an Ohio farm, but a witch.

      - How were the cows?

      - Pardon?

      - Your parents. You went to see your parents right? They live in a farm in Ohio?

      - Yeah. They were ok. Apparently mum has named them Rose, Sophia, Dorothy, and Blanche much to dad's dismay.

      - Like the Golden Girls. - he chuckled. - So, your viva is today.

      - Don't remind me. It's like walking into a slaughter house and then being denied being called a doctor. They should decapitate me, put my head on a spike, and parade me around Columbia as the massive disappointment.

      - What's decapitate? - Sadie asked.

      - It's the capital. - Bucky said not wanting to traumatise his two year old with the scenario Y/N had just described. - Go wash your hands and get your backpack, bug.

Sadie nodded but not before going over to hug Y/N's leg. Y/N ruffled her head before sending her along to wash her hands. Bucky got to making Y/N a plate, patting the chair next to him. She smiled at him before taking a seat and cutting a bit of the pancake. She stopped chewing, looking at him with a forced smile.

      - Good?

      - Buck, why are they salty? - she put a napkin in front of her mouth to spit out the pancake.

      - They're not salty. - Bucky took a forkful from her plate to try it himself.

      - We've had this discussion, Buck. Salt is in the black pot and sugar in the white one.

      - I'm gonna be a mess when you quit. - he pushed the plate away from her. - Speaking of which, I would like if you interviewed your future replacement. I trust you to pick the right person.

      - Most likely you won't need a replacement because I'm failing my viva today.

      - You are not. - Bucky put his hand on her shoulder. - You are smart, Baudelaire.

      - Baudelaire?

      - Do the scary thing first. Get scared latter.

(...)

Bucky drove Y/N down to Columbia, ensuring she got there safe and ready for her VIVA before driving down to take Sadie to school. Y/N swallowed in empty, merely staring at the hallowed halls of a building which had many notable alumni and she was now hoping she would be one. The VIVA was intense to say less and as she came out of the room, she was sweating buckets and wanting to be as far away from the building as possible.

      - Y/N! - shit. Shit, shit, shit, she'd forgotten he existed. What ever happened to men taking a hint?

      - Chris. - she turned around with a fake smile. - What are you doing here?

      - Anderson told me it was your VIVA today, I wanted to come see you. I haven't seen you in a while and Barnes said you were on holiday.

      - I thought after our last chat you wouldn't want to talk to me, Christopher.

      - It was a hurdle, Y/N. - he got closer to her. - Listen, I understand it was rough of me to attack your job like that but you have to understand it's because I care for you and that job is beneath you.

      - No job is beneath anyone, Christopher. You think that silver spoon mouthed talk is gonna make me forget you basically insulted me, my boss and the child I look after?

      - You have a Bachelors and a Masters, Y/N. You should be working internships, assistant positions to help you build your curriculum, not being a silver spoon mouthed man's child's babysitter.

      - That's all fine when you can afford to work a non paid position, Christopher.

      - I care about you, Y/N.

      - But I don't love you.

      - I don't expect you to love me yet, we haven't been seeing each other for too long and if we ...

      - Christopher. - she interrupted him. - I love someone else. It's not gonna stop.

(...)

Y/N dragged herself home. It was now a week, a week long of worrying wether she passed or not. She guessed it was better than having to do it again, heck she hoped she wouldn't have to do it again. She opened the door and heard mumbling with all the lights being off. She moved to turn the lights on, coming face to face with a home made sign and Sadie yelling surprise.

      - What is this? - she smiled, leaning down to pick Sadie up.

      - You're done, it's a party. - Bucky chuckled, pointing to the sign. - We have reservations in about 3 hours. Bought an ice cream cake and Sadie made you a card.

      - You shouldn't have done this.

      - What? After 3 years and a half of you moaning and whining over psychology, you need a nice night out.

      - You do know she'll start crying at around 10.

      - That's why we have dinner reservations at 6.30 and once she's in bed, I will allow you full control of the television. How does that sound?

      - I may not pass.

      - You got this far. You deserve a celebration just for you.

taglist: @talesofadragon @themermaidscales82 @winters1917 @vladsgirlxx @stinkerbelle007 @maybefoxysouls @blackwood-bodecker-housewife @chipilerendi @kandis-mom @belennasif @abitofblues @buckybarnessimpp

[whencyclopedia]

George Washington in the French and Indian War

The life and career of George Washington (1732-1799) were largely impacted by the French and Indian War (1754-1763). An officer of the Virginia Regiment, Washington's actions at the Battle of Fort Necessity and the Braddock Expedition helped escalate hostilities between Britain and France. His exploits in the war would help lead to his appointment as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.

Colonel George Washington in the Uniform of the Virginia Regiment

Charles Willson Peale (Public Domain)

Background

In the early 1750s, tensions between the colonial empires of Great Britain and France were once again on the rise. The Ohio River Valley, though under the nominal control of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, had been claimed by both empires; indeed, British and French traders had long been operating in the region, trying to establish commercial relations with local Native Americans. The British colony of Virginia, whose colonial charter asserted that its western border stretched all the way to the Pacific Ocean, was particularly interested in the Ohio Country. Virginia's economy was heavily reliant on the production of tobacco, which tended to exhaust the soil; to maintain economic growth Virginia had to acquire new, fertile lands for farming, of which the Ohio Country had in abundance. As early as 1745, Virginia's House of Burgesses began issuing land grants in the Ohio Country to land speculation companies, including the Ohio Company, which represented the financial interests of prominent Virginian investors. This unnerved the French, who wanted control of the Ohio Country both to deny the westward expansion of the British colonies and to maintain a connection between their own colonies of New France (Canada) and Louisiana.

In response to Virginia's encroachments into the territory, the French constructed three forts at the forks of the Ohio River. To Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie of Virginia, this was an unacceptable provocation; Dinwiddie was an investor in the Ohio Company, giving him a personal as well as a political incentive to want the French out of the Ohio territory as soon as possible. In 1753, he decided to send an envoy to demand that the French remove themselves from the Ohio. The man Dinwiddie decided to send for this crucial diplomatic mission may not have been the obvious choice – George Washington, a recently commissioned major in the Virginia militia, was only 21 years old, with little formal education and no knowledge of the French language. But what he lacked in experience, he made up for in ambition; Washington was hoping that a successful mission would advance his budding military career and earn him a commission in the regular army. Washington also had a connection to the Ohio Company – his recently deceased half-brother, Lawrence, was one of the first investors – which was likely another reason Dinwiddie chose him. On 1 November 1753, Washington left Virginia's capital of Williamsburg bearing a letter from the governor. It was a mission that would change his life and shape the history of North America.

Continue reading...

[spicesexporters]

Kafal Spices – Trusted Indian Spices Suppliers with a Global Vision

India is known worldwide for its rich culinary heritage, and the soul of Indian cuisine lies in its spices. From vibrant turmeric to fiery red chili, every spice adds more than just flavor—it adds tradition, culture, and health. In this vibrant landscape, Kafal Spices has emerged as one of the leading Indian spices suppliers, offering unmatched quality, consistency, and global trust.

If you're searching for reliable suppliers of spices in India who combine tradition with modern manufacturing, look no further. Kafal Spices is a name you can count on, whether you want to source spices for local markets or export spices from India to the international food industry.

India – The Spice Capital of the World

India contributes significantly to the global spice trade, producing a wide variety of spices used in every corner of the world. The country is not just rich in spice diversity but also in the techniques of processing and blending them. That's why so many buyers around the world look for reliable spices exporter in India—and Kafal Spices fits the bill perfectly.

Kafal Spices – Among the Most Trusted Spice Companies in India

As one of the top spice companies in India, Kafal Spices is committed to delivering high-grade spices that meet international standards. From sourcing to processing and packaging, our operations follow strict quality control, ensuring that every product reaching you is full of flavor and free from adulterants.

We take pride in being among the few masala companies in India that manage the entire supply chain — from farm to fork — enabling us to offer consistency, competitive pricing, and high-quality assurance in every shipment.

Our Journey as Leading Indian Spices Suppliers

Kafal Spices was born from a vision to redefine how the world experiences Indian spices. Over the years, we have established a strong presence in both domestic and international markets. As experienced suppliers of spices in India, we have served hundreds of businesses including:

Retail chains

Food processing units

Hotel and hospitality sectors

Export houses

Online grocery brands

Whether you’re a small-scale buyer or a bulk importer, Kafal Spices offers flexible solutions tailored to your business needs.

Wide Range of Spices We Offer

We specialize in a broad range of whole, ground, and blended spices. Here’s a glimpse of what makes us a comprehensive spices exporter in India:

1. Whole Spices

Whole spices retain natural oils and offer longer shelf life. We supply:

Cumin Seeds

Black Pepper

Cardamom

Coriander Seeds

Cloves

2. Ground Spices

Our finely ground spices offer purity and strong aroma, perfect for daily use:

Turmeric Powder

Red Chili Powder

Coriander Powder

Cumin Powder

3. Blended Spices

What sets us apart as leading masala companies in India is our in-house spice blends:

Garam Masala

Kitchen King

Chaat Masala

Pav Bhaji Masala

These blends are made using traditional recipes, ensuring authentic taste and aroma.

Why Choose Kafal Spices?

As one of the most reliable Indian spices suppliers, we offer more than just products—we offer a partnership built on trust and excellence. Here’s why clients around the globe choose us as their preferred spices exporter in India:

✅ Quality Assurance

Our spices are processed in hygienic facilities with zero human touch. Every batch is tested for purity, color, aroma, and safety.

✅ Farm-to-Factory Model

Unlike many spice companies in India, we work directly with farmers. This ensures traceability, better pricing, and consistent quality.

✅ Global Export Capability

We have strong logistics partners and export compliance expertise to seamlessly export spices from India to USA, Canada, Europe, UAE, and more.

✅ Customization

Need custom blends, private labeling, or specific packaging formats? As one of the most flexible suppliers of spices in India, we cater to unique business requirements.

Compliance and Certifications

To maintain our reputation among top spice companies in India, Kafal Spices follows strict compliance with:

FSSAI guidelines

HACCP & ISO certifications

Export packaging norms

Allergen control procedures

This gives our international clients peace of mind when they choose us to export spices from India.

Packaging and Logistics

Packaging plays a crucial role in spice preservation. At Kafal Spices, we offer a wide range of packing options:

Pouches (50g to 1kg)

Bulk bags (25kg+)

Vacuum sealing

Jars and PET bottles

Our logistics team ensures prompt and safe delivery whether your warehouse is in Delhi, Dubai, or New York.

Partner with One of the Leading Masala Companies in India

If you're in the food business and looking for long-term sourcing of quality spices, partnering with trusted Indian spices suppliers is critical. Kafal Spices is here to meet that need with transparency, reliability, and unbeatable flavor.

From being recognized among the top spice companies in India to becoming a preferred spices exporter in India, our journey is built on customer satisfaction and innovation.

Let’s Export Spices from India to the World – Together

At Kafal Spices, we believe in building strong, lasting relationships. Whether you're a small business owner, food startup, or international distributor, we are ready to be your trusted partner.

Contact us today and let’s explore how we can export spices from India that add value to your business and flavor to the world’s kitchens.

Final Word

In a market full of options, Kafal Spices stands out not just as a spice brand, but as a dependable business partner. Our mission is simple – to bring the authentic taste of India to every kitchen through our high-quality offerings as one of the leading suppliers of spices in India.

If you're ready to partner with seasoned Indian spices suppliers, work with a certified spices exporter in India, or explore collaborations with one of the top masala companies in India, Kafal Spices is here to make it happen.

[coolmaycroft]

My hot take is that "leftist infighting" is actually a mix of two things: the material diversity of left wing thought (at minimum there are 3 main factions that are considered left wing), and the presence of ragebaiting wokescolds/purity testing/bad takes.

Obviously the latter group are not acting in good faith and only exist to farm engagement, which isn't really something we can fix. But with regards to the factional disagreements: these are fundamental differences of belief. Just because we all agree that capitalism is bad doesn't mean we're all on the same team or should work together. What we aim to create is more important than what we aim to destroy.

As I see it the three main factions in the modern left are the tankies, the anarchists and the progressives. These groups have agreements with each other, but they also have fundamental disagreements which makes any kind of "leftist unity" into nonsense. For example progressives are reformists, whereas anarchists and tankies are revolutionaries. Anarchists and progressives both believe in democracy, whereas tankies believe in authoritarianism. This fork goes all the way back to the Russian Civil War and before: the reds, blacks and greens.

Expecting the left to fall in line around a common cause the way the right does is unrealistic: the right wing lends itself to obedience and hierarchy in a way the left simply doesn't. Any alliance that may exist would be a temporary truce that would fall apart the moment we took power, as each faction started pulling in its direction. You could argue that a chaotic post-capitalist power struggle is preferable to capitalism, but that's an argument you have to make rather than a given.

Quoted from reddit

[seedcleaningspice]

Spices, Standards, and Sustainability: The New Era of Indian Spice Trade

India has been the epicenter of the global spice trade for centuries, earning its reputation as the spice capital of the world. From the earthy aroma of cumin to the fiery heat of chili, Indian spices define the flavours of cuisines across continents. The demand for high-quality, ethically sourced, and traceable spices has surged in recent years, driven by evolving consumer preferences, the rise of organic products, and stricter global food safety regulations.

For businesses such as food manufacturers, restaurant chains, spice retailers, and pharmaceutical companies, sourcing spices in bulk is more than just a cost consideration. It is about quality, consistency, safety, and reliability. Choosing the right spice supplier in India ensures access to fresh, contamination-free, and authentic spices that meet international standards.

Swani Spice, a trusted name in the spice industry with over 150 years of expertise, is a leading spice supplier offering premium-quality, traceable, and sustainable spice solutions. This blog explores the global demand for Indian spices, key factors to consider when choosing a supplier, and why Swani Spice is the ideal partner for businesses worldwide.

1. The Demand for Indian Spices in the Global Market

India’s Role in the Global Spice Trade

India is the largest producer and exporter of spices in the world, accounting for approximately 75% of the global spice production and exporting to over 180 countries. The country’s diverse climate and soil conditions allow for the cultivation of more than 60 different varieties of spices, each offering unique flavours, aromas, and health benefits.

Why Businesses Prefer Indian Spices

Indian spices are globally recognized for their potency, rich essential oil content, and strong flavour profiles. Their high quality results from traditional farming methods combined with modern processing techniques that ensure purity and freshness. Businesses across industries—from food and beverage manufacturers to pharmaceutical companies—choose Indian spices for their authenticity, versatility, and health benefits.

Emerging Global Trends Driving Demand

Increased Demand for Organic & Clean-Label Products Consumers today prefer natural, non-GMO, and preservative-free products, making organic and sustainably sourced spices a key priority for businesses.

Rising Popularity of Indian Cuisine Worldwide The demand for Indian-inspired flavours has increased spice exports, with restaurants and packaged food brands incorporating Indian spices into their offerings.

Focus on Food Safety and Traceability Governments and regulatory bodies across the world are enforcing stricter food safety standards, requiring suppliers to provide traceability from farm to fork.

Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing Businesses are shifting towards suppliers that engage in fair trade, sustainable farming, and eco-friendly processing to meet corporate sustainability goals.

What to Look for in a Spice supplier?

When sourcing spices in bulk, businesses must carefully evaluate potential suppliers to ensure they meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements. Here are the key factors to consider:

Quality Assurance & Consistency

A reliable spice supplier must follow strict quality control measures at every stage—sourcing, processing, packaging, and distribution. Consistency in color, aroma, and flavour is crucial for food manufacturers and retailers to maintain product uniformity across batches.

Certifications & Regulatory Compliance

To meet global food safety and quality standards, a supplier should have certifications such as:

FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) – Compliance with India’s food safety regulations.

USDA Organic, EU Organic, JAS (Japan Organic) – Certification for organic farming practices.

HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) – Ensures food safety management at all production levels.

BRC (British Retail Consortium) and ISO 22000 – International food safety certifications.

SEDEX & Fair Trade – Ethical sourcing and fair labor practices.

Customization & Blended Spices

A good spice supplier should be able to provide custom spice blends and formulations tailored to specific business needs. Whether it’s a particular spice ratio for a food manufacturer or a private-label blend for retailers, flexibility in customization is a significant advantage.

Sustainable & Ethical Sourcing Practices

With increasing consumer awareness around sustainability, businesses prefer suppliers that support responsible farming practices. A strong supplier should have direct partnerships with farmers, promoting fair wages and eco-friendly cultivation methods.

End-to-End Traceability

The ability to trace spices from the farm to the final product ensures quality, safety, and compliance with regulatory standards. A supplier with digital tracking systems and batch traceability provides transparency and confidence to businesses.

Why Swani Spice? A Trusted Spice supplier

For over 150 years, Swani Spice has been a pioneer in the Indian spice industry, supplying premium-quality bulk spices to businesses worldwide. With a strong global presence across 50+ countries, Swani caters to diverse industries, including food manufacturing, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, and retail.

What Sets Swani Spice Apart?

1. Legacy & Industry Expertise

Established in 1864, Swani Spice has built a global reputation for excellence in sourcing, processing, and distributing high-quality spices. Decades of experience, coupled with continuous innovation, make Swani a trusted partner for businesses looking for consistency and reliability.

2. Advanced Processing & Quality Control

Swani ensures uncompromised quality with state-of-the-art processing facilities that focus on food safety, purity, and enhanced flavour retention. Key technologies include:

Steam Sterilization & ETO Treatment: Eliminates microbial contamination, ensuring food safety compliance.

Cryogenic Grinding: Preserves essential oils, enhancing flavour and aroma.

Automated Sorting & Cleaning: Removes foreign particles, delivering only the highest-quality spices.

3. Sustainable & Ethical Sourcing

Swani is deeply committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing. Working directly with 40,000+ farmers across India, the company promotes:

Fair Trade Practices – Supporting farmer welfare with ethical pricing and fair wages.

Organic & Sustainable Farming: Encouraging eco-friendly cultivation methods that minimize environmental impact.

Regenerative Agriculture: Enhancing soil health and biodiversity for long-term sustainability.

4. Global Certifications & Compliance

Swani Spice meets the highest international food safety and quality standards, ensuring compliance with:

FSSAI, USDA Organic, EU Organic, JAS (Japan Organic): Validating organic and food safety practices.

BRC (British Retail Consortium) & SEDEX: Demonstrating commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.

5. Customization & Private Label Solutions

Swani offers businesses tailor-made spice solutions, including:

Custom Spice Blends: Precision-formulated blends for food manufacturers, restaurant chains, and seasoning brands.

Private Label Packaging:  Ready-to-market solutions for retail brands looking to offer premium spices under their own label.

Industrial Applications: – Specialized spice formulations for nutraceuticals, functional foods, and pharmaceutical industries.

Swani Spice is more than just a spice supplier—it’s a partner in growth, delivering high-quality, traceable, and customized spice solutions to businesses worldwide.

Industry Applications – Who Can Benefit from a Spice supplier?

Spice suppliers like Swani Spice cater to a wide range of industries, ensuring consistent quality, bulk availability, and custom formulations to meet specific business needs. Here’s how different sectors benefit:

1. Food & Beverage Manufacturers

Spices are a core ingredient in the food processing industry, used in:

Packaged Foods – Ready-to-eat meals, frozen foods, and snacks require high-quality spices for consistency and flavour.

Seasonings & Blends – Custom spice formulations enhance taste profiles in spice mixes, condiments, and marinades.

Beverages – Ingredients like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger are essential for flavoured teas, health drinks, and functional beverages.

2. HORECA (Hotels, Restaurants & Catering)

The hospitality industry depends on bulk spice suppliers to maintain uniform taste and quality in large-scale food preparations. Key uses include:

Restaurant Chains & Cloud Kitchens – Ensuring consistency in signature dishes across locations.

Catering Services – Meeting high-volume spice needs for events and banquets.

Hotels & Resorts – Providing gourmet and organic spice options for premium culinary experiences.

3. Retail & Private Label Brands

Supermarkets, grocery chains, and specialty stores often source white-label spice solutions to offer premium-quality spices under their own branding.

Private Label Packaging – Businesses can launch their own spice brands with pre-packaged, market-ready products.

Organic & Gourmet Spices – A growing demand for clean-label, non-GMO, and organic-certified spices makes high-quality wholesale suppliers essential for retailers.

4. Pharmaceutical & Ayurvedic Companies

Spices are widely used in herbal supplements, functional foods, and medicinal formulations due to their health benefits.

Nutraceuticals & Supplements – Turmeric (curcumin), ginger, and cinnamon are key ingredients in health-boosting formulations.

Ayurvedic & Traditional Medicine – Spices have been an integral part of Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, supporting wellness and immunity.

Essential Oil Extraction – Spices like clove, black pepper, and cardamom are processed for their essential oils, used in both pharmaceuticals and aromatherapy.

By serving such diverse industries, Swani Spice ensures high-quality, traceable, and bulk spice solutions, tailored to meet the demands of each sector.

How to Partner with Swani Spice?

Swani Spice is more than just a spice supplier—it’s a trusted business partner that delivers premium-quality spices with complete reliability, consistency, and customization. Whether you’re a food manufacturer, retailer, or distributor, Swani offers seamless supply chain solutions tailored to your needs.

1. Bulk Orders with Flexible Packaging

Swani provides a wide range of bulk spice options, available in varied packaging formats to suit different industries. Businesses can choose from:

Whole, Ground, or Blended Spices – Available in bulk quantities with strict quality control.

Custom Packaging Solutions – From industrial-sized sacks for manufacturers to retail-ready pouches for private labels.

Organic & Conventional Options – Meeting the highest global standards for food safety and purity.

2. Custom Spice Blends & Formulations

Swani offers tailor-made spice blends developed by expert food technologists to match specific flavour profiles, product requirements, and industry regulations. Key benefits include:

Precision Formulated Blends – Designed for food processing, ready-to-cook meals, snack seasonings, and more.

Private Label Solutions – Retailers and specialty brands can launch their own spice lines with Swani’s high-quality sourcing and packaging.

Specialized Industrial Applications – Nutraceuticals, functional foods, and pharmaceutical-grade spice formulations available.

3. End-to-End Procurement & Logistics Support

Swani ensures a smooth, efficient, and scalable supply chain experience with:

Global Sourcing & Traceability – A direct farm-to-factory model ensures transparency and consistency in supply.

Regulatory Compliance & Certifications – Every shipment meets the highest food safety and quality standards.

Reliable Logistics & On-Time Delivery – Efficient global distribution networks guarantee timely order fulfillment, no matter the volume.

Why Choose Swani Spice as Your Wholesale Partner?

With a 150+ year legacy, a presence in 50+ countries, and state-of-the-art processing facilities, Swani Spice ensures businesses get superior-quality, sustainably sourced, and customizable spice solutions.

Partnering with Swani means having a trusted supplier that not only provides premium wholesale spices but also supports your business growth with flexible, scalable, and reliable sourcing solutions.

[marketingbusines]

A Guide to the Best Startup Companies in Chennai

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is rapidly emerging as a leading startup hub in India. With a strong presence in IT, healthcare, fintech, and manufacturing, the city has become a hotspot for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Over the years, several Startup Companies in Chennai have gained national and international recognition for their groundbreaking solutions. From tech-driven enterprises to socially impactful startups, Chennai’s ecosystem is fostering business growth like never before.

Why Chennai is a Thriving Startup Hub

Chennai’s startup ecosystem is driven by several key factors:

Strong IT and Engineering Talent: The city is home to top institutions like IIT Madras, Anna University, and SRM University, producing skilled graduates every year.

Government Support: Initiatives like the Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Policy encourage new businesses with funding, incubation centers, and tax benefits.

Cost-Effective Infrastructure: Compared to Bengaluru and Mumbai, Chennai offers relatively lower operational costs for startups.

Thriving Tech and Industrial Sectors: The city has a strong presence in SaaS (Software as a Service), fintech, healthcare, and automobile industries, making it an ideal place for startups in these domains.

Now, let’s dive into some of the most promising Startup Companies in Chennai that are making waves in different industries.

Top Startup Companies in Chennai

1. Freshworks – Revolutionizing Customer Engagement

Industry: SaaS (Software as a Service) Founded: 2010

Freshworks is one of Chennai’s most successful startups, providing cloud-based customer engagement software. It offers products like Freshdesk, Freshsales, and Freshservice, catering to businesses worldwide. The company gained unicorn status (valuation over $1 billion) and later went public on NASDAQ in 2021.

2. Zoho Corporation – The Pioneer of SaaS in Chennai

Industry: SaaS, Cloud Computing Founded: 1996

Though not a new startup, Zoho has played a crucial role in inspiring Chennai’s startup ecosystem. With a suite of over 50 cloud-based business applications, Zoho has set a global benchmark in software solutions, competing with giants like Microsoft and Google.

3. Chargebee – Simplifying Subscription Billing

Industry: Fintech, SaaS Founded: 2011

Chargebee provides automated subscription management and billing solutions to businesses. It helps companies handle pricing, invoicing, and revenue analytics efficiently. With clients across 50+ countries, Chargebee has become a leader in the subscription billing industry.

4. Agnikul Cosmos – Innovating Space Technology

Industry: Aerospace, SpaceTech Founded: 2017

Agnikul Cosmos is one of India’s most exciting space startups, developing small satellite launch vehicles. Based at IIT Madras’ research park, the company is working on Agnibaan, a rocket designed for cost-effective satellite launches.

5. WayCool Foods – Transforming Agri-Supply Chain

Industry: AgriTech, Supply Chain Founded: 2015

WayCool Foods is revolutionizing India’s food supply chain by leveraging technology for efficient farm-to-fork delivery. It works with farmers to optimize production, reduce waste, and ensure better pricing for agricultural products.

6. Uniphore – AI-Driven Customer Conversations

Industry: Artificial Intelligence, SaaS Founded: 2008

Uniphore specializes in AI-driven voice and conversational automation. The company’s technology helps businesses enhance customer service by improving speech analytics and virtual assistants.

7. BankBazaar – Leading Fintech Marketplace

Industry: Fintech Founded: 2008

BankBazaar is a financial marketplace that allows users to compare and apply for loans, credit cards, and insurance products. It provides a paperless digital platform for seamless financial transactions.

8. Specsmakers – Reinventing Eyewear Retail

Industry: Retail, E-commerce Founded: 2011

Specsmakers is a Chennai-based optical retail brand offering affordable eyewear solutions. The company has expanded across South India and is known for its stylish yet budget-friendly products.

9. KreditBee – Instant Loan Solutions

Industry: Fintech Founded: 2018

KreditBee offers instant personal loans through its digital lending platform. It provides quick financial assistance to salaried professionals, making borrowing more accessible and hassle-free.

10. GoBumpr – Car and Bike Service Made Easy

Industry: AutoTech, Services Founded: 2015

GoBumpr is an online platform that connects vehicle owners with service providers for car and bike maintenance. It offers doorstep servicing, repairs, and insurance assistance.

Chennai’s Startup Ecosystem: What’s Next?

Chennai’s startup ecosystem continues to grow at a rapid pace. With increased investments, technological advancements, and government initiatives, the city is set to become one of India’s top startup destinations. Emerging sectors such as electric vehicles (EV), artificial intelligence (AI), deep tech, and health tech are expected to drive the next wave of startups in Chennai.

Some upcoming trends include:

Rise of Deep Tech Startups: With IIT Madras leading AI and robotics research, more deep-tech startups are emerging.

Growth in Fintech and SaaS: Chennai’s strong fintech and SaaS presence will continue to attract global clients.

Sustainable and Green Innovations: Startups focusing on clean energy, waste management, and sustainability are gaining traction.

Conclusion

Chennai is proving to be a powerhouse for startups, thanks to its strong talent pool, supportive ecosystem, and cost-effective business environment. From global SaaS giants like Freshworks and Zoho to innovative fintech and space tech startups like Chargebee and Agnikul Cosmos, Startup Companies in Chennai are making a mark in multiple industries.

[johnjankovic1]

Big-Push Pump Priming for Take-Off

I am never sure of time or place upon a Railroad. I can't read, I can't think, I can't sleep — I can only dream. Rattling along in this railway carriage to the music of the rails, I am in a state of delightful confusion. Charles Dickens, The Uncommercial Traveler, 1860

America’s antebellum economy midwifed a productivity blitzkrieg when quadruped and waterborne commerce could not approximate the speed of trains as surrogates to transportation. Essentially a full arsenal of industrial policy was deployed in revolutionizing supply-chains whereby Carnegie’s steel empire flourished behind tariff walls whilst railroad monopolies held favour with government. Protectionism then primed the pump for economic revolution. As opposed to being a monolithic exercise of industrial policy its multidimensional nature provided for the use of trade barriers, subsidies and other species of discrimination in unison. Quite suddenly something unforeseen manifested: a boom of capital formation with the geometric proliferation of factories, foundries and farmsteads. Almost unthinkably one proverbial seed created an entire forest within a generation. A chain-reaction of growth ensued from steel mills in Pittsburgh, stockyards in Chicago and skyscrapers in New York. The strategic fusion of public and private interests was the impetus behind this new age of American hegemony. Washington’s gamble on railroads was obviously fraught with risk but in hindsight this investment yielded dividends of astronomical value. Market forces alone could never replicate the cadence of this industrial expansion.

Vast distances were a scourge on the voluntary exchange of goods which hobbled America’s development. Such structural deficiency could only be remedied by what Economist Paul Rosentein-Rodan (1943) christened ‘big-push industrialization’ to crescendo into what W.W. Rostow (1956) dubbed a period of ‘take-off’. For the dilettante this scenario can be analogized as the velocity of a plane before it is airborne. But how to generate this precious momentum? Answer: A big-push of investment and protections to mobilize labour and capital at scale. A Keynesian stimulus of this sort invariably creates jobs and wealth downstream. By reasoning from first principles Washington began to court central planning to correct the market fragmentation that beleaguered the country since its inception. Solve the sprawl of geography and growth  summarily follows; build railroads and complementary industries experience a halcyon era. By creating the demand for steel as Economist John Maynard Keynes might petition you inaugurate a multiplier effect that sees a boom in industry, wages and population. Or if reworded in the vernacular of Rodan a ‘big-push’ is invariably succeeded by ‘external economies’ — cause and effect. Thereafter the plethora of wealth creation was self-reinforcing as capital markets themselves became emboldened to invest with abandon.

There was no end to the increasing returns to scale ushered by railroad infrastructure. Each kilometre pared down freight costs. Each junction was shadowed by telegraph poles dispatching messages. Each extension begot a constellation of downstream benefits. A positive-sum game resulted where the expansion of one sector had a commensurate effect on another. If New York, Buffalo and Rochester were borne out of canals then Chicago, Kansas City and Omaha sprung up courtesy of railroads. This leviathan of infrastructure unleashed the energies of industry whose scale economies would see the widespread reduction of cost: in a postbellum economy rates per ton mile plummeted by 50 percent; farm incomes soared just as Chicago morphed into an entrepôt for western grain in its destination towards New York from 14 cents per bushel to 38 cents between 1858 and 1890 (Taylor and Neu 1956:2). Lesser intervals of time between farm-to-fork and mine-to-metal saw salutary effects almost universally. These heady times were a harbinger for the founding of Cornell University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology which sought to appease the demand for skilled labour in the 1860s. A real bellwether for this railroad mania was how capital-intensive industries were the trend du jour.

Soon enough the ubiquity of high-quality steel from the demand by railroads was directed towards the vertical ambitions of metropolises. Before high-rises punctuated skylines however a catalyst was needed to convince public opinion on its merits. The Great Fire of 1871 in Chicago became the impetus. Fourteen years later the archetype for a new generation of steel edifices proudly stood in the former ash heap whose design later found purchase on the landscape of other cities. Indeed not only was urbanization part and parcel of the ‘external economies’ from railroads but so too was the revolution in urban architecture. Bricks were relegated to the facade of buildings in favour of steel skeletons for the interior which commanded higher altitudes courtesy of their tensile strength. With real estate at a premium the city of New York fervently espoused this innovation to continue its tradition of building upwards in response to the inherent limitations of cast-iron. Ironically the same material used for the lateral transportation of goods saw new usage in its vertical conquest above city streets. The industrial policy of railroads then cascaded outward in a slipstream for other sectors to follow which in this case caused a wholesale reinvention of the downtowns in commercial centres.

Trains and towers were the insignia for the weltanschauung of capitalism that defined the spirit of America in its nascency. The spoils of one revolution in transportation spurred another in construction. This is the reason why industrial policy particularly when it pertains to infrastructure can be a lodestar for the development of a nation. A torrent of spillovers manifests without intervention because free markets latch onto this stimulus autonomously. Subsidies for railroads were au fond the brainchild of the desiderata by frontiersmen to expand westward. Nothing in the tea leaves would have ever suggested however that eventually a whole new steel industry would outproduce the entire European continent. The vast tentacles of this industrial policy not only aroused revolutions in transportation and construction but they equally informed the private speculation of the high finance world as well. Capital markets were rabid for the securities and bond issuances from railroads which were countenanced by the imprimatur of Washington’s treasury. This bulletproof mitigation of risk even boasted an additional parachute as land grants from government were ideal collateral. Railroad capitalization was such a lucrative enterprise inasmuch as banking giant J.P. Morgan would be founded in 1871 to rationalize and finance the industry.

[sacramentobusinessclub]

Boutique Charm: Unique Hotels to Experience in Sacramento

Sacramento, the capital of California, is more than just politics and history. It’s a vibrant city offering cultural treasures, farm-to-fork dining, and a relaxed charm that makes it a favorite destination in Northern California. If you’re looking for a place to stay that’s as unique as the city itself, boutique hotels in and around Sacramento are perfect. From quirky designs to personalized service, these hotels offer more than just a room—they deliver an experience.

Here are six unique boutique hotels in the Sacramento area, each in a different city or neighborhood, ensuring you experience the region’s diversity and charm.

1. The Citizen Hotel (Downtown Sacramento)

Located in the heart of downtown Sacramento, The Citizen Hotel combines luxury with vintage elegance. Housed in a historic 1920s building, the hotel’s decor boasts a mix of old-world charm and modern sophistication.

Why It’s Unique:

Each room features curated vintage furnishings, creating a distinctive ambiance.

The hotel’s signature restaurant, Grange, is a farm-to-fork favorite, serving locally sourced dishes.

Enjoy views of the city skyline or the California State Capitol from your room.

Whether you’re in town for business or pleasure, The Citizen Hotel provides a memorable and sophisticated stay.

2. The Greens Hotel (North Sacramento)

In the up-and-coming North Sacramento district, The Greens Hotel is a hidden gem that focuses on bold, creative design. Its boutique charm and commitment to sustainability make it stand out.

Why It’s Unique:

The rooms are minimalist yet artistic, with decor influenced by modern art movements.

This eco-friendly hotel uses solar power and practices green hospitality.

A central courtyard filled with greenery is the perfect place to relax.

The Greens Hotel is ideal for travelers looking for a budget-friendly yet stylish stay.

3. Arden Acres Executive Suites and Cottages (Arden-Arcade)

For those who prefer a cozy, home-away-from-home feel, Arden Acres offers quaint, cottage-style accommodations in a quiet neighborhood. Perfect for longer stays or a serene retreat, this boutique hotel is all about comfort.

Why It’s Unique:

Stay in a private, fully equipped cottage instead of a traditional hotel room.

The property is surrounded by manicured gardens, creating a peaceful vibe.

With personalized service, the staff ensures you feel right at home.

This hidden oasis is a great choice for families, business travelers, or anyone seeking a unique experience.

4. Hotel Sutter (Sutter Creek)

A short drive from Sacramento, Hotel Sutter offers a charming escape in the Gold Country town of Sutter Creek. This boutique hotel captures the essence of California’s rich history.

Why It’s Unique:

Located in a historic building dating back to the Gold Rush era.

Rooms blend rustic charm with modern amenities, giving you the best of both worlds.

The on-site restaurant serves locally inspired dishes, while the saloon offers classic cocktails.

Hotel Sutter is perfect for history buffs and anyone wanting to explore the Sierra Foothills’ scenic beauty.

5. Inn Off Capitol Park (Midtown Sacramento)

Nestled in Sacramento’s trendy Midtown area, the Inn Off Capitol Park is a chic boutique hotel within walking distance of the State Capitol and popular eateries.

Why It’s Unique:

The hotel features an open-air atrium, bringing natural light into its core.

Its prime location puts you steps away from local breweries, art galleries, and nightlife.

Complimentary breakfast and excellent customer service add to the charm.

This boutique hotel is a great choice for those who want to immerse themselves in Sacramento’s vibrant culture.

6. Hyatt Place Sacramento/Rancho Cordova (Rancho Cordova)

Located in the nearby city of Rancho Cordova, Hyatt Place Sacramento combines the best of boutique and modern design. It offers a sleek, stylish option for travelers who want a bit of luxury with a personal touch.

Why It’s Unique:

Spacious rooms with a contemporary design and all the comforts of home.

The 24/7 Gallery Menu and Market offer fresh, on-the-go dining options.

A serene outdoor pool and fitness center ensure relaxation and wellness during your stay.

Hyatt Place is ideal for business travelers and families exploring the greater Sacramento area.

Why Stay at a Boutique Hotel?

Boutique hotels provide a refreshing alternative to cookie-cutter chain hotels. With their unique designs, personalized service, and intimate atmospheres, they create memorable experiences for their guests. Each of the hotels listed here captures the spirit of its location, allowing you to connect with Sacramento and its surroundings in a deeper way.

Whether you prefer historic charm, eco-friendly design, or cozy cottages, Sacramento has a boutique hotel to match your style. Book your stay today and discover a side of the city you’ll never forget!

Member Business Profile

Nonna Homes - Adu and Construction

2941 Sunrise Blvd #120, Rancho Cordova, 

CA 95742, United States

800-734-7238

At Nonna Homes - Adu and Construction , we specialize in creating stunning, personalized spaces tailored to your unique vision. As trusted custom home builders Sacramento company, we bring your ideas to life with expert craftsmanship, innovative designs, and unwavering attention to detail.

About us:

Nonna Homes - Adu and Construction specializes in simplifying the ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) building process, making it easy and stress-free for homeowners. From permits to final inspections, every step is managed by our experienced team of ADU builders in Sacramento specialists, ensuring smooth communication, expert craftsmanship, and timely completion. Whether you’re adding a rental unit, guest house, or a tiny home in Sacramento, we handle the details so you can focus on enjoying your new space.

[releveunlimited]

Destination planning & events planners in Sacramento

One of the most historic cities in California, Sacramento boasts an impressive array of landmarks, parks, amenities and other must-see points of interest.

Your visit can begin with food because you will be in America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital; it can begin with history because the Gold Rush and California beginnings started here; or it can begin with nature because rivers, trails and park wind through the city for your recreation and admiration. 

Whether it’s your first time, a weekend whim aboard the train, or your 10th trip to California’s capital city, you’ll find plenty of things to do on your visit to Sacramento.

For More Information Visit Our Website: https://releveunlimited.com/sacramento/

[neosciencehub]

From Farm to Fork: How to Win the Sci-Tech War on Food Hazards

From Farm to Fork: How to Win the Sci-Tech War on Food Hazards @neosciencehub #neosciencehub #science #FarmtoFork #SciTech #Food #agriculture #organic #metals #chemical #biological #climate #FoodSafety #NSH

Ensuring Safer Plate in a Changing World In the heart of India’s financial capital, Mumbai a seemingly innocuous lizard found its way into a pot of sambhar, triggering a cascade of illness among young students. In May 2024, Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. of US initiated a recall of whole cucumbers due to potential contamination with Salmonella, a bacteria causing severe health issues. A simple…

[aethyrmazz]

Revolution Winery & Kitchen located in Americas Farm-to-Fork capital uses fresh and local ingredients to serve simple dishes with a colorful, unique and contemporary twist.

I decided to play it safe by ordering my favorite Mediterranean salad, and you can never go wrong with a charcuterie plate. 🤍

On second thought…you can never go wrong with fresh 🌱🍓🧀🥖🥬

[flavionsindia]

The Rise of Onion Exporter Companies in India: A Comprehensive Overview

India, known as the land of spices and diverse agricultural products, holds a prominent position in the global market for various produce, especially onions. As a staple in culinary practices worldwide, the demand for onions has consistently soared, making it one of the most traded vegetables globally. Indian onion exporter companies have capitalized on this demand, playing a crucial role in the global supply chain. In this blog, we will explore the dynamics of onion exporting in India, the challenges faced by exporters, and the key players in the market.

1. India’s Dominance in Onion Production

India is the second-largest producer of onions in the world, contributing approximately 20-25% of the global output. The country's diverse climatic conditions and rich soil fertility make it an ideal place for onion cultivation. The major onion-producing states in India include Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. Among these, Maharashtra leads with the highest production, significantly contributing to India's export volume.

2. The Onion Export Market in India

India’s onion export market is vast, with the country exporting onions to over 90 countries. The key markets include Bangladesh, Malaysia, UAE, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. Indian onions are popular globally due to their pungency, taste, and long shelf life. The different varieties, such as the Red Onion, White Onion, and Pink Onion, cater to diverse culinary preferences worldwide.

3. Key Players in the Indian Onion Export Market

Several companies in India have established themselves as leading onion exporters, known for their quality produce and robust supply chain mechanisms. Here are some key players:

Nashik-based exporters: Nashik, in Maharashtra, is often referred to as the onion capital of India. Companies from this region, such as Agrion, are known for their vast networks and efficient export processes.

Farmers Fresh Zone: This company has made a mark by promoting farm-to-fork supply, ensuring fresh onions are delivered to international markets.

Kinal Global Care Private Limited: Known for its commitment to quality, Kinal Global Care has a significant presence in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

These companies are characterized by their strong logistics networks, adherence to quality standards, and commitment to maintaining the freshness of their produce.

4. Challenges Faced by Onion Exporters in India

Despite the lucrative opportunities in the global market, onion exporters in India face several challenges:

Price Volatility: The onion market is highly volatile, with prices fluctuating due to seasonal factors, domestic demand, and international market conditions. This volatility can impact the profitability of exporters.

Regulatory Hurdles: Indian onion exporters often grapple with government regulations, such as export bans or restrictions during periods of domestic shortage. These regulations, while aimed at stabilizing domestic prices, can disrupt export operations.

Quality Standards: Meeting the stringent quality and safety standards required by international markets is another challenge. Exporters must ensure that their produce is free from pests, has a uniform size, and meets the residue levels for pesticides.

Logistics and Transportation: Efficient transportation and storage are critical for maintaining the quality of onions during transit. Exporters need to invest in cold storage facilities and efficient logistics networks to prevent spoilage and ensure timely delivery.

5. Technological Advancements in Onion Exporting

To overcome these challenges, many Indian onion exporters are embracing technological advancements. The use of blockchain technology for traceability, automated sorting and grading machines, and digital platforms for market intelligence are helping companies streamline their operations and improve the quality of their exports.

Blockchain for Traceability: Blockchain technology allows exporters to provide detailed information about the origin, cultivation practices, and quality checks of the onions. This transparency builds trust with international buyers and ensures compliance with global standards.

Automated Sorting and Grading: Modern machinery enables precise sorting and grading of onions, ensuring that only the best quality produce reaches the international market. This automation reduces human error and enhances efficiency.

Digital Platforms: Exporters are increasingly using digital platforms to access real-time market data, price trends, and demand forecasts. This information helps them make informed decisions and optimize their supply chain.

6. Sustainability in Onion Exporting

Sustainability is becoming a critical aspect of the global food supply chain, and Indian onion exporters are not far behind in adopting sustainable practices. From reducing the use of pesticides to implementing water-efficient irrigation methods, companies are making efforts to minimize their environmental footprint.

Water-Efficient Irrigation: Onion cultivation requires significant water, and exporters are promoting drip irrigation and other water-saving technologies to conserve this vital resource.

Eco-Friendly Packaging: To reduce plastic waste, many exporters are shifting towards biodegradable packaging solutions. This move is not only environmentally friendly but also appeals to eco-conscious consumers in international markets.

7. The Future of Onion Exporting in India

The future of onion exporting in India looks promising, with several factors driving growth:

Rising Global Demand: With the global population increasing and more countries incorporating onions into their diets, the demand for Indian onions is expected to rise.

Expansion into New Markets: Indian exporters are exploring new markets in Europe, Africa, and North America, diversifying their customer base and reducing dependency on traditional markets.

Government Support: The Indian government is taking steps to support agricultural exports, including onions, through initiatives like the Agriculture Export Policy. This policy aims to boost export volumes and promote India as a global agricultural powerhouse.

8. Conclusion

Onion exporter companies in India play a vital role in the global agricultural landscape. Despite the challenges, the sector has shown resilience and adaptability, driven by technological advancements, a focus on quality, and a commitment to sustainability. As global demand for onions continues to grow, Indian exporters are well-positioned to capitalize on new opportunities and solidify their status as leading players in the international market.

India's onion export market is not just about trading a vegetable; it reflects the country's agricultural prowess, the entrepreneurial spirit of its exporters, and the global appeal of its produce. With continued innovation and support, Indian onion exporters are set to reach new heights in the coming years.

[robtolley]

The Best Off-the-Beaten-Track Destinations in Europe

Europe is full of hidden gems, with plenty of places to visit that are far from the tourist throng, from ancient cities to remote island chains.

The Ancient City of Matera, Italy

Nestled in the south of Italy, the ancient city of Matera, perched atop its rocky hill, remains one of the country’s best-kept secrets. Matera languished abandoned for some years but has now come alive once more, and it is bustling with restaurants, galleries and boutique hotels. The cave dwellings of Matera are well worth checking out, such as the rocky church of St Lucia alle Malve, with its 13th century frescoes, and Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, a museum housing artisan tools and furniture.

The Tiny Town of Aveiro, Portugal

Portugal may be a popular tourist destination, but relatively few visitors find their way to the little town of Aveiro, in the north of the country. Keen travellers like Rob Tolley know that it really is a hidden gem, with canals winding through the town, brightly coloured buildings and intricately decorated Moliceiro boats. Aveiro sits on the edge of a saltwater lagoon, the Ria de Aveiro, that was historically farmed for its salt, seaweed and fish.

The Green Appeal: Graz, Austria

Graz may be Austria’s second-largest city, but it’s still relatively unknown when it comes to city breaks. Surrounded by swathes of Styrian countryside, visitors can enjoy plenty of farm-to-fork cuisine here; Graz is particularly celebrated for its fresh produce and vegetarian dishes. However, fine food isn’t all the city has to offer; Graz has earned two UNESCO designations and boasts gorgeous frescoed facades, medieval cobbled streets, the ruins of a hilltop fortress and ancient churches to explore.

The Wild Outer Hebrides, Scotland

The Outer Hebrides islands, off the coast of Scotland, are among the most remote destinations in Europe and are home to awe-inspiring ancient sites, pristine sandy beaches and quaint seaside villages. The Isle of Harris and the Isle of Lewis are known for their delicious fresh seafood, hiking opportunities and the chance to spot whales.

The Rich Culture of Zagreb, Croatia

Those passionate about travel, such as Rob Tolley, former London broker, are aware that while most visitors to Croatia head to the coast, the country’s capital of Zagreb makes for a beautiful destination. Here tourists can discover fascinating architecture and pay a visit to the early morning Dolac Market to sample a selection of local fare. The Museum of Broken Relationships is also a must-visit for those coming to Zagreb!

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Farm-to-fork firm Otipy is raising $10 million in an extended Series B round from new and existing investors, 28 months after its $32 million Series B in March 2022. The new capital will bolster operations in Delhi (NCR) and Mumbai, and support expansion to Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Otipy, which sources fresh produce directly from farmers, achieves a monthly GMV of Rs 20 crore with a Rs 3 crore burn rate. The company aims to achieve EBITDA breakeven in FY25. Supported by over 20,000 farmers and 1,000 partners, Otipy saw over 50% growth to Rs 173 crore in FY24 and reduced losses by 21%. Otipy has raised $44 million to date.

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