21 Herbs and Spices Valley (2/2)
”Ah, it's a small valley with many different plants. Nothing is edible thou. Deer, wild goat, pheasant is often seen here, master Ikki”
He's a hunter, of course, he only notices about what kind of prey he can find here. We walk through the valley and see what's inside. On a part in the valley, I see some trees that growing greenie fruits with size like an eyeball. Oh, it's lime! I take some of those lime with me
”Master Ikki, do you want to eat that? It taste is so sour that no one eats it” Matius warn me about this lime.
”It's okay, I'm not planning to eat this directly. What this fruit called mister Matius”
”It's jeru' master Ikki”
I'm nodded. So lime in this world is called jeru'. It's an ingredient with many uses,, for an example to remove fish stench and give fresh aroma for the cooking. It's also can use to wash the plates and remove the grease from the plates.
Silvie also takes some leaves and roots that she find here and put it in her basket. Her activity incites my curiosity.
”Silvie, what are you taking there?”
”Ah Ikki, I take some herbs that usually used for medicine in the village”
”Oh, you know how to make herbal medicine? That's great”
She bashfully smiles when hearing my praise. Hey, I really praise her from my heart you know, not coax her. I think her skill in medicine making it's important to time when medical technology hasn't develop.
”If you have time I also want to learn how to make medicine from those herbs”
”Okay, Ikki” she looks happy when hearing my request.
We explore the valley deeper. This time I do not only see lime but also some other plants that can be used as the food ingredient, Star anise, cinnamon, camellia, hazelnut, castanet, and chili? I pick some of the chilies with interest.
”Don't eat that master Ikki” suddenly Matius give me a warning
”Eh? Why is that mister Matius?”
”That small fruit can burn your mouth”
”What is this fruit called mister Matius?”
”It's called cabai master Ikki. It also called as hell fruit because of making mouth like burn in hell and need lot water to ease the burning feeling”
”Haha, it's so? I will remember that mister Matius, thanks”
Yeah, of course, the hot sensation from chili does not dispel just with water. it's more effective to use something sweet to ease the hot taste from chili from out tongue.
I really like this valley, it's a precious place for a cook like me. I somehow feel this valley is used to be a spice cultivation area, with so many spices can be found here. Maybe if I also search for spices that grow under the soil, I can find ginger, onion or garlic. But I'll do that when I have a chance to visit this valley again.