The noble rot. The fungus which develops on grapes in certain areas, causing them to shrivel and wither, concentrating the sugar and flavour. Grapes so infected produce a very fine, and expensive, wine. Wines so infected include Trockenbeerenauslese and some Beerenausleses.
This large breed make excellent pets as they are docile in addition to being good to look at. Because they are slow to mature they are not usually seen as a commercial fowl, though their egg laying is about 140 per annum. They may be light, buff or dark in colour, the latter two of which are lighter in weight. The head and skull have a pea comb and brow. They also small wattles and well-feathered shanks and toes, as are evident in this picture. It is named after the Brahmaputra River area. Here the Malay and Cochin were crossed and exported to Shanghai, China in the 1840s. They went to New York in 1846 and then to New England in 1853. The first book on poultry standards, issued in 1856, mentions the Brahmas chicken. After a gift was made to Queen Victoria the name was changed to Brahma chicken. The breed was minaly developed in the United States between 1850 and 1890, when most were light or dark, with buff birds emerging more recently.
Witch flounder, a small-mouthed flatfish found in deep, cold waters from Labrador to North Carolina. Feeds on crustaceans, adding to the sweetness of its own flavour. Marketed fresh or frozen and may be eaten steamed, fried, microwaved or baked. A fish traditionally served at Chinese family gatherings in the United States.
A variety of eating apple which was discovered on a farm near Wellsburg in West Virginia belonging to Thomas Grimes in 1832. It is a yellowish green apple with some russet spots and crisp yellow flesh. It has a distinctive, rich aroma and is also used in cider-making as it is very juicy. This late-season variety is harvested from mid-October in South-East England and is at its best from November to February.
The grisette is a slender mushroom of the amanite family with a pale grey, ribbed cap, mild scent and flavour. It must be eaten well cooked or it will cause gastro -intestinal problems. (If gathering mushrooms you must be absolutely certain what you have before you eat them as many are very poisonous.)
