#Local Grains

[arminthada]

SPARE ME YOUR MERCY การุณยฆาต

— 2024, dir. Wo Worawit Khuttiyayothin

[serpentface]

A kulustaig bull, the distinctive cattle landrace of the highlands.

Kulustaig have striking differences to other native cattle found across the Imperial Wardi claimed territory. Their aurochs ancestors were domesticated in a separate event from those found south of the Inner Seaways, and the broader cattle population kulustaig derived from may have trace bison genetics. The progenitors of this landrace were brought south across the Viper seaway by the ancestors of the contemporary Hill Tribes, and were gradually shaped into the kulustaig in adaption to the high altitudes, mild but dry summers, and cool/snowy wet seasons.

These cattle are mid-sized and stocky in build with large, broad faces, most distinguished by curly manes and 'beards' and thick, V-shaped horns. Genetically undiluted kulustaig are almost ubiquitously black, white, and/or gray, though breeding with other cattle has introduced a greater variety of coloration in contemporary stocks.

They are adapted to higher altitudes, having larger hearts and a bigger lung capacity than comparable lowland breeds, and grow thick, curly winter coats that allow for superior resistance to seasonally cooler temperatures. They can maintain condition on less food and lower-nutrition grasses than the average cattle, and are excellent instinctive foragers. This particular quality makes them attractive for crossbreeding efforts with cattle stock of the dry scrublands in the south of Imperial Wardin, though most of their other traits are highly unfavorable for hot, low altitude environments, and scrub-kulustaig hybrids with idealized traits are rare (and highly sought after as studs).

These are all-purpose cattle that can adequately fulfill roles as meat, draft, and dairy animals, though the latter role has the most importance in day to day life, and they show the most selection for milk production (though are not as high-yield as pure dairy breeds). Their meat is mostly lean and somewhat gamey, as they rely more on thick winter coats than fat stores to manage cold, and the vast majority subsist entirely on wild grasses and forage.

Most kulustaig have fairly calm, gentle temperaments, and accommodate well to human handling (it is not uncommon for cows and geldings to be passively ridden by herders otherwise traveling on foot). Their herds have strong, well defined, and stable dominance hierarchy structures, which reduces actual fighting and lends to them being more easily managed by their human herders. In most traditions, the dominant female in each herd is regarded as blessed by and belonging to the agricultural goddess Od, and will not be milked or slaughtered (this untouchable status is often maintained even if the cow's rank in the hierarchy is displaced, though traditions vary).

Bulls are almost ubiquitously given personal names by their owners (the honor often belonging to a family or clan's matriarch, who is generally considered the owner of the herd and other familial assets), while other traditions vary between just the bulls and dominant cows, personal favorites, or entire herds receiving names.

These cattle are of tremendous importance to the peoples of the highlands (particularly tribes and/or individual clans living above the river valleys, who fundamentally rely upon them for subsistence). They provide much of the meat and dairy that the core diet revolves around, and are the greatest measure of wealth within the highlands. Non-native cattle can be commonly found in parts of the highlands in the contemporary (and may be bred in to impart unique qualities to established stock, such as improved milk production or fattier meat), but kulustaig are typically prized above all the rest. These cattle are often a source of great pride for individual clans, and one of few agreed upon markers of shared identity and pride for all of the collective Hill Tribes.

Cattle raiding is a near-ubiquitous practice (both as a practical resource acquisition, and a less immediately lethal method of settling larger disputes than open warfare), and most cattle will be branded with a mark identifying their owning clan as a method of dissuading theft (often futile, particularly given cattle marked as belonging to certain wealthy clans may be especially prized). Nose rings are commonly used to assist in the handling of bulls, but have secondary protective functions that lend to their common use in even the most docile of cattle. Rings are usually blessed or have spells woven into their making as a supernatural barrier against theft, or against malicious (or at least devious) mountain spirits such as tiirgranul (who take pleasure in frightening cattle (and their herders) and are known to cause stampedes) or wildfolk (who are known to sometimes steal or curse cattle when offended, or just bored).

The word kulustaig derives from the common word 'taig'/'taigr', which refers to cattle in the contemporary languages of both the Hill Tribes and Finns, and the 'kul' root (heavily antiquated and not used in contemporary speech, most commonly recognizable in the name of the kulys plant), which has connotations of hardiness/robust qualities. The name would have derived from complimentary descriptions of the animals as 'the best and most robust of cattle'.

[louizepoggie]

Local Bovines want your Headscritches!

Look @bovineblogger

I love these ladies, their pasture is just near my standard walking route and if theyre out they always wanna say hello.

[dotpyenji]

happy bisexual day to those who celebrate

[charmcoin]

here's what you're gonna doyou're gonna go down to the nearest asian grocer slash costco and you're gonna buy yourself a 25 lb bag of kokuho rose short grain white rice. now you're gonna say cameron but that's a lot of money and well yes but when you consider a serving of white rice is around a half cup that's like 250 servings of rice given that a serving of rice is like 1/4 cup dry. even at 30 bucks that's like 10 cents a serving max. seven cents an ounce. can't beat it

[yarnrocks]

s/o to that time I referred to the valkyries serving mead to the slain warriors in Valhöll as "the Hooters of the slain"

[carbonateddelusion]

I know I haven't said much about it, but legitimately, "running away" was one of the most pivotal life decisions I've ever made. Probably THE first major life decision I've made, and also the best. If you have an opportunity to go, leave. Get out of there. If you are not safe at home, emotionally, physically, whatever, and you're able to leave, do it. It's going to suck such major ass for a while because you're going to have to deal with the scars they've left on you, but I wholeheartedly, full-throatedly, with-my-chest promise you that it is going to be better. You're going to be better. If you have the privilege of being able to escape, no matter how difficult it feels, then RUN.

[supercantaloupe]

well my appetite came roaring back tonight so hopefully the rest of me will start feeling better soon too

[wildrungarden]

⭐️Currently reading: The One-Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka ⭐️

‘Just playing or doing nothing at all, children are happy. A discriminating adult, on the other hand, decides what will make him happy, and when these conditions are met he feels satisfied.’

The synopsis calls it ‘Zen and the Art of Farming.’ This book is about his experience over 30 years of using the ‘do-nothing’ farming method. He lets his orchard and rice/barley fields grow wild without any pest controls or fertilizers. That’s the basis of it (kinda?) — but what makes this book amazing is that he goes deep into why it works for him. Explaining why he doesn’t have to use chemicals to treat weeds and pests. Into the full circle of life & how to actually grow ‘natural’ food. We always want bigger and better quality & focus on high yields and money. How disconnected we really are growing from nature in agriculture.

If you aren’t into agriculture or learning about the exact ‘whys’ of his experiences from growing rice, barley & citrus on his personal field —- skip to part 2 of the book. I honestly wouldn’t recommend skipping(it holds a lot of useful information), but after part 2 is where I really got interested.

It’s not only about farming though - it also incorporates our health, diet and how basic our knowledge is as humans. It makes you think.

Even this book being written in 1978 - it still holds up to today. We’ve had all this knowledge since then and we still continue to do industrial agriculture and live/eat the way we do. It’s eye opening, for sure.

I’m not completely finished yet - I have about 40 pages left - but that’s what I think so far ☺️ You should definitely give it a try.

[vishnutech]

Preserving Indian Culinary Traditions in Germany: A Taste That Travels Across Borders

When you’re living thousands of kilometers away from home, it’s the little things that make you miss India the most—the familiar sounds of a pressure cooker, the spicy aroma of tadka, or the first bite of a hot paratha dipped in pickle. For Indians in Germany, food isn’t just about sustenance; it’s a bridge to identity, memory, and comfort.

As immigrants and expats work to build new lives, they also find ways to preserve the essence of where they came from. Cooking traditional Indian meals is one of the most meaningful ways to do that. And to do it right, access to authentic Indian groceries becomes not a luxury—but a necessity.

Why Indian Kitchens Abroad Still Matter

In the Indian household, the kitchen is more than just a space to cook—it’s a place where families bond, traditions are passed down, and memories are made. When you move to a new country, especially one like Germany where local supermarkets are stocked with unfamiliar products, recreating those meals can be difficult.

But it’s also empowering. Cooking Indian food abroad is an act of continuity. It keeps your culture alive—not just for you, but for your children, your friends, and even your German neighbors who are curious about your cuisine.

The Foundation of Indian Food Starts with Rice

If there's one ingredient that unites India’s diverse culinary landscape, it's Rice.

Rice is at the heart of daily meals in Indian homes. From the fluffy basmati that accompanies North Indian gravies to the short-grain rice used in South Indian curd rice or lemon rice, it’s an essential staple that transcends regions. It’s served during weddings, offered in temples, and eaten in the simplest home-cooked meals.

Outside India, not all rice is created equal. European supermarkets may offer jasmine or sushi rice, but these cannot replicate the taste or texture required in Indian cooking. That’s why Indian grocery stores in Germany play such a vital role. They offer a wide selection of rice varieties—basmati, sona masoori, idli rice, matta rice—making it possible to cook every dish exactly the way it was meant to be.

Whether you're preparing biryani, pongal, khichdi, or puliyogare, the right rice makes all the difference in authenticity and taste.

Embracing Culture Through Ingredients

For many Indian families abroad, food becomes the strongest cultural expression. Children growing up in Germany might speak German at school and watch Western TV shows, but when they sit down to a plate of dal-chawal or sambar-rice, they’re participating in a tradition that goes back generations.

Indian grocery stores abroad help sustain that connection. From essential spices and flours to traditional sweets, frozen snacks, and regional products, these stores offer everything needed to bring the Indian kitchen to life—wherever you are.

Celebrating Festivals Away from Home

Food is central to every Indian festival, whether it’s preparing sweets for Diwali, fasting meals for Navratri, or a rich feast for Onam. Even when you're celebrating away from extended family, the right ingredients can make it feel just as special.

Indian stores in Germany stock everything from pooja items and ghee lamps to festive snacks and seasonal sweets—making it easy to celebrate every occasion with full authenticity.

Online Shopping for Convenience and Choice

As life gets busier, more people are turning to online platforms to do their grocery shopping. Indian online grocery services in Germany offer a wide range of products with:

Region-specific categories (e.g., South Indian, North Indian, Jain food)

Delivery across cities and towns

Fresh stock updates and discounts

Easy browsing in English

Safe and secure checkout

This helps students, working professionals, and families save time while staying connected to the flavors they love.

Final Thought

Cooking Indian food in Germany is more than a habit—it’s a celebration of identity. With the right ingredients, every meal becomes an emotional experience, a moment of connection, and a way to preserve your roots. Thanks to the availability of a trusted Indian grocery store in Germany, you no longer have to miss out on tradition, no matter how far from home you are.

[ramvling]

the thing about being someone who likes to go to farmers markets and shopping local vendors is your favorite stuff can and will disappear without a trace because the one person running the show gets tired of slinging cookies or w/e in a crowded hot market every weekend. And one day you'll look up and realize you haven't seen them there in a while, and you go to their instagram, and their last post is from January like 'see you at the market this weekend!', but you won't. You won't ever again.

[cogandstar]

fodlan widely grows corn???????????

[blujayonthewing]

the thing that's weird about dnd gnomes is that they're described as rare and secretive, their communities hidden and disguised from outsiders as a form of defense

and the thing is that's all well and good, except that even by RAW dnd tends to operate on a lot of 'it's basically like now with a ye olde hat, don't worry about it too much' basis wrt to the production and distribution and availability of goods and materials, and the thing about THAT is that I'm actually usually fine with handwaving Fantasy Globalization for the sake of ease-of-use as a ttrpg backdrop EXCEPT that it's hard, at least for someone like me, to handwave past something like 'if these villages are hidden and secret then where are they getting all their stuff'

[selamat-linting]

buy local except youre in a global south country so your phone are technically locally made because the metals are found literally several provinces over and the assembly factory is located on the next island.

[scorchieart]

Random thought: Do I subconsciously associate a person's initials with my opinion of them?

My initials are AE, and I think Amelia Earhart was awesome. Albert Einstein had some rough patches, but overall a cool fellow. Abby Elliott is comedy gold. And then today I looked over a list of youtubers and content creators I follow and some of my favorites are also AE buddies.

Just a funny coincidence. That is all.

[mosswolf]

i keep seeing people who aren't usamerican reblogging that post about being protected under the migratory birds act and im like lol no tf u arent