Traditionally made from Qostár berries, this national Dinedrad pastry is renowned for having such interesting flavours that many can’t agree on what it truly tastes like, due to the berry it contains, which may change flavour depending on its consumer. This pastry is typically served as a dessert at big gatherings and originates from the province of Úse.
Juwiqostárn translates to Juwiqán Qostár, but its full name is Juwiqostárn gégo vésho, meaning Juwiqán Qostár-Berry hot pastry. The dish is so common and popular that simply stating the name of the berry with the term Juwiqán in front is enough for people to know what dish you’re referring to.
This dish isn’t solely made of Qostár berries; it contains, based on the ingredients found on Earth, wheat, eggs, sugar, butter, and much more. It is important to note that, although Juwiqostárn is a hot pastry, it bathes in a soup-like mixture. The scent portrayed by the candle that we sell at SDCHG is the sweet and flower-like scent of the liquid used in the dish.
As for its historical background, the berry was traditionally only found in the Golden Fields of Denedrad, where it was said to be protected by the carnivorous plants of the fields. The Golden Fields of Denedrad are found in the massive desert-like region of Central Denedrad. The fields get this name from the vast amount of Golden “Wheat” (Lisoni Woná — Golden Woná).
It is important to note that the Qostár berry does not grow from the Golden Woná, but rather from a different plant known as Qostari Yisishú. The berry was used in sacred ceremonies to help Juwilits sneak through the golden fields without being attacked as much, as the scent of the berry would disguise their odour and not alert the creatures lurking nearby. It is essentially how they were able to settle in Úse from the Alps.
They would also traditionally use the berry to warn away the creatures from early settlements. Denedrad is one of the countries on Dinetrikia with the greatest number of different species of carnivorous plants!
To this day, it is believed that the whole purpose of all the carnivorous plants and creatures found in the Golden Fields would have been to protect the Qostár berries, or that the berries themselves were born to act as bait.
The carnivorous plants in the region are NOT Golden Woná. One of the most common carnivore species, known as Zúláshi Woná (Lying Woná), is a trickster plant that looks vaguely similar to Golden Woná, but in reality, these plants try to mimic the appearance of Golden Woná to fool their prey.
One way to tell them apart from afar is that both plants will NEVER be mixed in the same patch; they will always form in clusters slightly apart. If you see a big separation between two patches of Woná, proceed with caution.
Next time you want to go pick Qostár berries, beware, because you might be walking into a patch of Zúláshi Woná.
Ingredients and background
Ingredients found on earth used to make this candle: Geranium, grapefruit, banana (fragrance), vanilla, lemon and peppermint.
Qostár Berries
Qostár berries, as previously mentioned, were traditionally found within the Golden Fields of Denedrad. In modern times, wild Qostár berries can still be found in the Fields, but rather than going out and cultivating them, the majority of Juwilits grow them in their gardens, which is especially true in Úse.
This berry is the biggest agricultural export from Úse, and the second-largest in all of Denedrad after Pýnásá. (The Pýná, the currency of Denedrad, is also considered an export, as it is considered a valuable mineral for the rest of the world, contributing to the Dinedrad economy in more than one way.)
Zúláshi Woná Venom
Yes, you read that correctly: the dish itself does contain venom from the trickster plant mentioned in the description of Juwiqostárn. With all that said, the plant is venomous and not poisonous.
The plant itself looks fairly similar to wheat on Earth. The “head” of the plant can protract and retract its spikes, which can even be shot at prey when they are close enough. When the plant is chopped off from the ground, it is possible to extremely carefully extract the venom by pressing your hand at the bottom of the spikes and pressing upwards, towards the edge of the plant’s “head”.
The venom of this plant tastes fairly sweet, somewhat spicy, and sour.