Ok I've found some stuff.... and since there's no other place, i might as well start the ball rolling on a thread compilation.
https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?thre...602973/page-95
https://forum.rpg.net/index.php?thre...602973/page-95
What kinds of pastries do Dynasts eat? Where in Creation would I find meat pasties? Are cakes and pies common in areas with climate similar to Chiaroscuro? Do the Lintha kidnap master chefs to make their cannibal feasts into delicious pies? What kind of dessert should I bring to a potluck parley with a noble raksha?
Logically speaking, a proper pastry requires a few ingredients which are not going to be common in all parts of Creation.
Crusts are going to require good flour, refined sugar, and possibly eggs and milk. Which all speaks to organized agriculture. Not going to happen in the West; they don't really have the arable land to do large-scale enough grain farming for serious pastry-making, and importing fine flour and confectioner's sugar is going to be prohibitively expensive. They'll be aware of pies, but most people will never actually eat one in an average year. Their desserts will be mostly fruit-based, I expect, possibly candied fruits.
The North has your basic agricultural prerequisites, but the climate is less good for your fruits and sweeter vegetables. You're going to have a bias towards meat, mince-meat, and generally nut-based pies, plus non-tropical fruits in the temperate regions. Expect dense, high-calorie desserts.
The South and East are prime pie territory, with excellent agricultural land and favorable climates. I would expect the coastal areas of the south to favor lighter, less filling desserts, and even chilled desserts for those who can afford luxuries, such as your Key Lime style pies. The East will have a weight more towards berries and fruit toppings on cakes.
The Blessed Isle, fat off the tribute of their vassal states, eschews pie in favor of elaborate multi-tiered cakes and delicacies like peacock tongues which are chosen more for their rarity and expense than actual culinary merit.
Raksha like things that look fancy, and don't actually have to eat regular food at all, so they're like the Blessed Isle turned up to 11. Lots of fondant, lots of things which only come from far away in tiny portions and spoil rapidly. Bright colors.
Crusts are going to require good flour, refined sugar, and possibly eggs and milk. Which all speaks to organized agriculture. Not going to happen in the West; they don't really have the arable land to do large-scale enough grain farming for serious pastry-making, and importing fine flour and confectioner's sugar is going to be prohibitively expensive. They'll be aware of pies, but most people will never actually eat one in an average year. Their desserts will be mostly fruit-based, I expect, possibly candied fruits.
The North has your basic agricultural prerequisites, but the climate is less good for your fruits and sweeter vegetables. You're going to have a bias towards meat, mince-meat, and generally nut-based pies, plus non-tropical fruits in the temperate regions. Expect dense, high-calorie desserts.
The South and East are prime pie territory, with excellent agricultural land and favorable climates. I would expect the coastal areas of the south to favor lighter, less filling desserts, and even chilled desserts for those who can afford luxuries, such as your Key Lime style pies. The East will have a weight more towards berries and fruit toppings on cakes.
The Blessed Isle, fat off the tribute of their vassal states, eschews pie in favor of elaborate multi-tiered cakes and delicacies like peacock tongues which are chosen more for their rarity and expense than actual culinary merit.
Raksha like things that look fancy, and don't actually have to eat regular food at all, so they're like the Blessed Isle turned up to 11. Lots of fondant, lots of things which only come from far away in tiny portions and spoil rapidly. Bright colors.
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