Spice jars are carefully crafted ceramic jars, specially designed to maintain a perpetual darkness within. These jars were crafted in an effort to protect fragrant spices from being weekend by exposure to Radiance. Many of the spices found on Oabos gain their properties from the rich Oas infusing the plants as they grow. If the processed spice is exposed to Radiance for any length of time the vibrant natural colors of the spice will dull, and it looses most or all of its flavor. In an effort to better protect these spices, many spice jars are also coated in thick oils which reflect and disburse Radiance to prevent any amount of light from leaking in.
Early Attempts
The earliest containers for spices were common jars, boxes, or crates. The containers would be kept in dark spaces, and only opened when food was being prepared. The spices had to be sold in small amounts due to how quickly exposure to Radiance would cause the color and flavor to fade.
Soon after the discovery of
Prismem, there were attempts made to use the material to line the inside of jars or boxes. The hope was to fill the prismem with Oas when the spices were originally enclosed, to keep them as fresh as possible. This quickly went out of practice when merchants from Chronwhorl and other large cities were finding they could only use the spice once before it would be completely faded. Once the container had been opened in a Radiance rich area, the prismem would collect and amplify the Radiance. This faded the spices far more quickly than keeping them in a simple jar or box.
Improvements
The current style of spice jar used in most areas is a thick ceramic jar, with small opening at the top. While the jars can come in many sizes the opening is always small and angled to prevent much Radiance from getting in when it is opened.
Scoops
The first improvement was for each jar made to also have a special spoon crafted alongside the jar. The spices are scooped out with this wooden spoon which is perfectly sized and remains in the jar. The spoon is dyed with the rich coloring of the spice within, so that the health of the remaining spice can be gaged by the dimming of the spoon.
Pressured Lids
As the spice trade became more popular, an effort was put in to further reduce the amount of Radiance that was able to enter through an d around the lid. Spice jars went through many versions and tests before a tension sealed lid became popular. Rather than the original design which included a stoppered opening, this new lid fit over the mouth of the jar and could be pressed down for a tighter seal. The edges of the lid were coated in a thick gummy resin which would cling more tightly to the jar as the lib was pressed down. Many of this style of spice jars also included a decorative fabric tied down around the jar to keep constant pressure on the lid.
Oil Coating
Early spice jars were a thick ceramic, to allow as little light as possible to penetrate through into t he jar. This resulted in heavy jars with very little room for spice within. In an effort to combat this, one village began testing thick oils which could be applied to the ceramic once it was set which would reflect and difuse any light shining on it. While the final formula of the oil is a secret held only by that village, it has been tested and found that spice jars coated in this oil can block out the same amount of light with only half the thickness in the ceramic of the jar.
Love the vibe of the article. I immediately thought about the jars also being able to be used for tea leaves, which have a similar problem than spices. Also, the detailed improvements I like a lot. I don't see it often in articles.