Shardflame Salt
Shardflame Salt is a glistening, iridescent seasoning made from the outer rind of matured lumicrysts, the edible crystal-vegetables farmed from Crystal Lake. During the harvesting process, the translucent skins of the lumicrysts are peeled and fire-dried over enchanted basalt stones, causing them to fracture into shards of concentrated flavor and magic. It has a subtle mineral snap, a cooling aftertaste, and a tingling warmth that dances on the tongue—like biting into something that’s been kissed by frost and flame in the same breath. The salt is used to enhance flavors, preserve food, and even cleanse the palate between dishes.
Manufacturing process
After the lumicrysts are harvested during the Ritual of the First Fracture , their outer rinds are shaved thin using moon-glass scrapers and laid out on woven reed mats. The rinds are dried under the mirrored light of twin moons, absorbing ambient magical light until they harden and begin to sparkle. The dried skins are then roasted over lava-warmed basalt stones until they shatter naturally into tiny flakes. This "flame cracking" process creates a slight caramelization of the crystal sugars and minerals, forming their unique taste profile. Once cooled, the flakes are hand-ground with lake-mineral powder and sometimes blended with dried herbs, mushroom-spores, and smoked root shavings, depending on the region.
Significance
- Every family has its own variation of Shardflame Salt, often kept in carved crystal jars passed down generations.
- A small pinch is always placed in the center of the table during meals, symbolizing shared origin and gratitude to the lake.
- In sacred meals, a few grains are cast into the hearth before eating, to "feed the flame that feeds us."
- New couples are gifted a vial of Shardflame Salt with the saying: “As you break bread, break crystals.”
A crystalline, mineral-rich seasoning harvested from the outer skin of lumicrysts—found on every dinner table in Sradag Isle.
Tasting Notes:
- Flavor: Savory-sweet, with hints of ozone, peppered mint, and ember-smoked root.
- Texture: Delicate crunch, melts slowly on the tongue.
- Aroma: A mix of wet stone, fresh air, and a faint electric tang—like the smell after lightning.
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