Food and Agriculture
The Duchy of Falmar has good, fertile soils that can grow many
different plants. However the staple crops grown by most
farmers include corn, barley, potato and cabbage, although other
vegetables, such as beans, peas and onions are grown in common fields by small holders. Grapes
are cultivated in vineyards on many farms, while apples and plums are cultivated in smaller quantities.
The vegetables all have varieties that produce at different times of
the year - so a standard selection of potato and beans are
readily available all year round. Corn and Barley are used
primarily to make bread and beer - while the grapes go to
make wine. Apples are used to make cider and for winter
storage, while plums are eaten fresh during the summer with excess
fruit preserved as jam to make a winter treat. Most farms
keep a few chickens and the odd cow or two, but sheep raised for wool
are the primary farmed creature of the region.
The 'standard' local meal is mutton cooked with potatoes and
barley, generally as a stew. Don't forget that bread,
cabbage, beans, peas, onions, eggs and milk are
also readily available.
Beverages include 'Falmar Wine', 'Thunderbird Wine', Grappa, Small Ale,
Good Ale and Cider. Falmar
Wine is a medium flavoured rose wine, while Grappa is a fiery
spirit distilled from left over grape skins and stems.
In Hapsburg, they make 'Thunderbird Wine'
where grappa is added to the local wine, which is
then fermented again to give a stronger richer taste. Small Ale is just a
lowish alcohol beer, while Good
Ale is a stronger beer and Cider is an alcoholic
drink (made from apples) of about the same strength as Good Ale.