Metisian Wool Root

Overview:

One of Metis' most popular exports is Metisian wool root. Earning it's name from the hair like growths that allow the plant to efficiantly absorb nutrients from the soil, Metisian wool root is vital to the lives of Metisian women for is anti-contraceptive properties. Because of this, it is considered an important threshold into womanhood.

A young Metisian woman's first meal of this food usually happens a few years after their first menses and is often accompanied with thier first major drink of strong alcohol.

The root is usually skinned to remove the scratchy hairs and then prepared into a veriety of dishes or even eaten raw. It is starchy and potato-like in consistency with the exception of the tiny seeds throughout the root. Unlike the skin, these seeds ar edible and contain the majority of the anti-contraceptive chemicals.

The whole plant is extremely bitter to the taste—more so than even other Metisian foods—with the seeds being the most bitter. Because of this, it is often prepared in a sweet or spicy dish.

Wool Root Parties:

A popular custom in Metisian cultures is for a woman in her late teens or early twenties to throw a large and rowdy party with close female friends and relatives where she will have her first taste of wool root. Often it is baked into a cake or some other dish and is accompanied with lot's of alcohol.

Use in the Millitary:

Among the equipment in a Metisian soldier's pack will likely be a package of dried wool root. This is used to help control a soldier's menstural cycle as it helps reduce and aliviate symptoms and is more compact to carry than rags or other period protective wear.

Trivia/Fun Facts:

• In the 1400s, Wool Root was most commonly candied in Guildwellian sugar following the Metisian Empire's seizure of the Middle Islands.
• While it is pretty rare to be allergic to this plant, cis-gender men are more likely to be allergic to the root.
• In terms of foodstuffs, Metis' most popular exported good is wool root while its most popular import is sugar.