Food and Drink

Isstia is an old city rich with history, culture and tradition. In such a diverse lot that make up the clans, there will occasionally be unique traditions, which can be found in the clans main file. These cultural aspects are part of all Isstirian households.

These traditions are located below.

[OOC Note: We have kept these files simple with hopes that this will keep down confusion and encourage players to take these things IC and make them part of their stories.]

Food

One thing that all people of Isstia have in common, regardless of ones social or political status is that the people of Isstia love food.

Popular Isstirian dishes include roasted lamb glazed with olive oil and herbs and served with buttered potatoes still in their skins; large green peppers stuffed with meat and rice; spicy pork with grilled tomatoes and fragrant saffron rice; and grilled beef with lemon, accompanied by freshly baked bread and a rich gravy sauce. These types of recipes can commonly be found in the homes of Royalty and High Families, in quality inns and taverns and in most common homes on days of celebration.

The diet of the common households is not exactly starved, though they prefer simpler daily meals which are easily and more inexpensively prepared such as poultry, pork and common fish as well as dishes with vegetables such as cabbage, fried peppers, roasted potatoes and onions and fresh tomatoes. Soups are also well loved.

Regardless of the food that will be served, the evening meal is something of a ritual for Isstirian families. Meals always take place at the table. Families remove their shoes before taking their seat on cushions around a large, low table. Meals are always eaten together, with the meal served in large serving plates and bowls from which individuals will fix their plates at the table.

Street food is also popular during festivals and typically include easily prepared and transported foods such as lamb or beef kebabs, puff pastries or thick hunks of bread smeared with tomato sauce. For those who love a touch of something sweet, Isstia is known for their bakers, which means businesses can be found in most districts. Common baked sweets include pastries soaked in honey syrup and stuffed with chopped pistachios, or simple baked sweet breads smeared with creamy glaze. Fresh and dried fruits are also very common, especially in common families. Favorite and nuts are almonds, dates, apricots, figs, plums and grapes.

Beverages

Coffee is a key part of the city’s culture and can be purchased at the main market of the city on most days. Despite its popularity, coffee is not a domestic product and is instead brought to Isstia by sea from the city of Sheheim. Once it arrives merchants roast and grind it down before turning it into a strong, bitter drink with a consistency slightly thicker than most. Most prefer it black and with plenty of sugar and a splash of milk in some cases.

While coffee is popular, tea remains one of the biggest staples in Isstia households. Like coffee, tea is typically imported, also from Sheheim, though it is much less expensive than coffee. Tea comes in a variety of flavors and is enjoyed alone or with honey in many households.

Naturally, like any other city, Isstia is not without a love of beer and ale. Isstia has many brewers stationed in the countryside who keep the city supplied with drink, while vineyards work hard to create the wine which Isstia is widely known for. Wine is the preferred drink in Isstia.

Isstirian wine is very strong. For this reason, most Isstirians prefer to water it down. Wine is sipped from sturdy clay cups, which are often stained red or purple on the inside from the strong drink. Wines are often flavored or spiced with absinthe, aniseed, chamomile or rose petals.