Wàmèrìzé spice: Difference between revisions
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'''Wàmèrìzé spice''', or more commonly, '''Wàmèrìzé''', is a magical spice and preservative originally from [[Wàmèrà]]. Wàmèrìzé has many documented health benefits, most notably in its ability to reduce spoiling of food. Though flavourless on its own, it enhances the natural flavours of other foods. Popular throughout [[Tiðloten]] for centuries with royalty, and with the Wàmèrì people of all social classes, it is increasingly available and affordable across Tiðloten. | '''Wàmèrìzé spice''', or more commonly, '''Wàmèrìzé''', is a magical spice and preservative originally from [[Wàmèrà]]. Wàmèrìzé has many documented health benefits, most notably in its ability to reduce spoiling of food. Though flavourless on its own, it enhances the natural flavours of other foods. Popular throughout [[Tiðloten]] for centuries with royalty, and with the Wàmèrì people of all social classes, it is increasingly available and affordable across Tiðloten. | ||
Wàmèrìzé is considered an integral part of both the [[Culture of Wàmèrà|culture]] and [[economy of Wàmèrà]]. From 1066 to 1967, the [[Wàmèrìzé spice licensing system]] controlled all production strictly, and the methods used were considered to be a national secret. After [[Çùɲûnù]] snuck the method and ingredients out to Covtle in 1967, the monopoly quickly fell apart and the licensing system was abolished in 1980. Production in Wàmèrà decreased from 1967 to 2025, when it began to increase again. Wàmèrà now produces more Wàmèrìzé than at any point in history. | Wàmèrìzé is considered an integral part of both the [[Culture of Wàmèrà|culture]] and [[economy of Wàmèrà]]. From 1066 to 1967, the [[Wàmèrìzé spice licensing system]] controlled all production strictly, and the methods used were considered to be a national secret. After [[Çùɲûnù]] snuck the method and ingredients out to [[Covtle]] in 1967, the monopoly quickly fell apart and the licensing system was abolished in 1980. Production in Wàmèrà decreased from 1967 to 2025, when it began to increase again. Wàmèrà now produces more Wàmèrìzé than at any point in history. | ||
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=== Establishment of standard drying process === | === Establishment of standard drying process === | ||
Early Wàmèrìzé was produced using a variety of drying processes, some more effective than others. However, in 1033, a meeting of producers of Wàmèrìzé met in Šàbê to agree on the best method. After some heated debates, the best method was agreed to be the tomato juice soaking method. This began to be adopted across Wàmèrà, and by 1052, this was the predominant method, although others still remained. | Early Wàmèrìzé was produced using a variety of drying processes, some more effective than others. However, in 1033, a meeting of producers of Wàmèrìzé met in [[Šàbê]] to agree on the best method. After some heated debates, the best method was agreed to be the tomato juice soaking method. This began to be adopted across Wàmèrà, and by 1052, this was the predominant method, although others still remained. | ||
=== Licensing system === | === Licensing system === | ||
The invading Quərfi were the first to establish a licensing system for the Wàmèrìzé spice. | The invading [[Quərfi]] were the first to establish a licensing system for the Wàmèrìzé spice. Under the licensing system, a permit was required to grow the berries, and a separate permit was required to complete the drying and powdering process. Applications for the permit were strictly scrutinised, and anyone applying had to swear an oath to keep the process secret, and was also banned from travelling outside Wàmèrà, under penalty of death. Within a century of the establishment of the system, knowledge of the production process had largely concentrated into the hands of the permit holders and the government. | ||
When [[Çábèzè]] drove the Quərfi out of the country, and was crowned King, he made the controversial decision to keep the licensing system. Critics at the time thought it would be better to abolish the system, however Çábèzè clearly stated his belief that this would be the best decision for Wàmèrà. | |||
=== Çùɲûnù and the end of the monopoly === | === Çùɲûnù and the end of the monopoly === | ||
In 1965, [[Çùɲûnù]], a licensed preparer of Wàmèrìzé, proposed a revision to the drying process, to use vinegar instead of tomato juice. This was rejected on the basis that vinegar was a byproduct of alcoholic beverage production, therefore making it unfit for use in something with health benefits. Çùɲûnù decided shortly afterwards to sneak out of Wàmèrà with a few berries and the secret recipe for the spice. He left on 11 soli 1967 and travelled by backroads and small trails to [[Mangátle]], where he planted and cultivated the berries, and created Wàmèrìzé with his method using vinegar. Within a few years it was a financial success, and the Adcovtle government took the opportunity to press for Wàmèrì concessions on the licensing system. | |||
By 1980, the licensing system had crumbled to the point where it was no longer feasible to enforce. The government decided to officially abolish it that year. Production continued to shift to Covtle, where the vinegar method was almost universally adopted. Production in Wàmèrà largely continued to use the tradition tomato juice method. | |||
=== Production since the Wàmèrì war === | === Production since the Wàmèrì war === | ||
The Wàmèrì war marked a low point in Wàmèrìzé production in Wàmèrà, with at one point total production in Covtle surpassing production in Wàmèrà. However, after the war, production began to rebound, as more people turned to selling Wàmèrìzé to meet increasing demand. Production in Covtle also increased rapidly, and presently (as of 2047) production is much higher than ever before. Wàmèrà has returned to being the largest producer. | |||
== Uses == | == Uses == | ||
Revision as of 23:36, 5 October 2025
Wàmèrìzé spice, or more commonly, Wàmèrìzé, is a magical spice and preservative originally from Wàmèrà. Wàmèrìzé has many documented health benefits, most notably in its ability to reduce spoiling of food. Though flavourless on its own, it enhances the natural flavours of other foods. Popular throughout Tiðloten for centuries with royalty, and with the Wàmèrì people of all social classes, it is increasingly available and affordable across Tiðloten.
Wàmèrìzé is considered an integral part of both the culture and economy of Wàmèrà. From 1066 to 1967, the Wàmèrìzé spice licensing system controlled all production strictly, and the methods used were considered to be a national secret. After Çùɲûnù snuck the method and ingredients out to Covtle in 1967, the monopoly quickly fell apart and the licensing system was abolished in 1980. Production in Wàmèrà decreased from 1967 to 2025, when it began to increase again. Wàmèrà now produces more Wàmèrìzé than at any point in history.
History
Discovery and early cultivation
While the berries behind Wàmèrìzé were first cultivated around 600, it wasn't until 912 that Wàmèrìzé was first produced as a spice. It quickly grew in popularity, and by 1020, Wàmèrìzé was popular across Wàmèrà, with some exports to neighbouring regions.
Establishment of standard drying process
Early Wàmèrìzé was produced using a variety of drying processes, some more effective than others. However, in 1033, a meeting of producers of Wàmèrìzé met in Šàbê to agree on the best method. After some heated debates, the best method was agreed to be the tomato juice soaking method. This began to be adopted across Wàmèrà, and by 1052, this was the predominant method, although others still remained.
Licensing system
The invading Quərfi were the first to establish a licensing system for the Wàmèrìzé spice. Under the licensing system, a permit was required to grow the berries, and a separate permit was required to complete the drying and powdering process. Applications for the permit were strictly scrutinised, and anyone applying had to swear an oath to keep the process secret, and was also banned from travelling outside Wàmèrà, under penalty of death. Within a century of the establishment of the system, knowledge of the production process had largely concentrated into the hands of the permit holders and the government.
When Çábèzè drove the Quərfi out of the country, and was crowned King, he made the controversial decision to keep the licensing system. Critics at the time thought it would be better to abolish the system, however Çábèzè clearly stated his belief that this would be the best decision for Wàmèrà.
Çùɲûnù and the end of the monopoly
In 1965, Çùɲûnù, a licensed preparer of Wàmèrìzé, proposed a revision to the drying process, to use vinegar instead of tomato juice. This was rejected on the basis that vinegar was a byproduct of alcoholic beverage production, therefore making it unfit for use in something with health benefits. Çùɲûnù decided shortly afterwards to sneak out of Wàmèrà with a few berries and the secret recipe for the spice. He left on 11 soli 1967 and travelled by backroads and small trails to Mangátle, where he planted and cultivated the berries, and created Wàmèrìzé with his method using vinegar. Within a few years it was a financial success, and the Adcovtle government took the opportunity to press for Wàmèrì concessions on the licensing system.
By 1980, the licensing system had crumbled to the point where it was no longer feasible to enforce. The government decided to officially abolish it that year. Production continued to shift to Covtle, where the vinegar method was almost universally adopted. Production in Wàmèrà largely continued to use the tradition tomato juice method.
Production since the Wàmèrì war
The Wàmèrì war marked a low point in Wàmèrìzé production in Wàmèrà, with at one point total production in Covtle surpassing production in Wàmèrà. However, after the war, production began to rebound, as more people turned to selling Wàmèrìzé to meet increasing demand. Production in Covtle also increased rapidly, and presently (as of 2047) production is much higher than ever before. Wàmèrà has returned to being the largest producer.