Nibbles

Ancient brewing

Puebloans and ancient Irish brewed beer. Pass the bottle.

~~Boring~~ boron resistance gene found in barley.

Yorkshire (UK) conserving wild Juniperus communis; gin drinkers too elated to comment.

Mopane worms:Â a traditional source of protein in Botswana. I’ve tried them. They’re yummie.

Chestnuts roasting on open fires again. Bing Crosby unavailable for comment.

1. On the occasion of Thanksgiving, The Botanist in the Kitchen explains the difference between potato, sweet potato and yam — inimitably. And thanks for the shout-outs!
2. A tour of the wild fruits of Goa. Their sourness has been culturally and economically marginalised in much the same way that extractive systems marginalise the people, landscapes and food traditions associated with it. Well, maybe.
3. How Charity Mueni Ndivo built her own seed bank in Kenya, and then wrote about it for FAO. No sourness in sight.
4. Dr P K Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, celebrates genebanks, plant breeding, and farmers like Charity.
Published on November 13, 2026