Ichorian cuisine

Ichorian cuisine consists of the traditions and practices of Ichoria, or alternatively to the wider culinary practices of the Ichorian homeland population and diaspora worldwide.

Historically, Ichorian cuisine began as a collection of regional cooking traditions, a consequence of the nation's geographic and political fragmentation. The Allonian sustenance of western Ichoria’s cuisine contrasts with the Valentine influence of the eastern regions, both of which, in their penchant for seafood and fish, contrast with the meat and vegetable-based diet of the mountainous interior. Starting in the 11th century, New World foodstuffs such as es, es, or refined  would revolutionize the nation's culinary traditions, as would a wide variety of spices, such as, , ,  or , introduced through trade and colonial occupation.

Today, despite the regional diversity that still abounds, Ichorian cuisine is widely defined by its simplicity, prizing the quality, seasonality, and place of origin of its ingredients, as well as for its commitment to balance of the.

Breakfast
Breakfast is traditionally a quick meal. Classic elements include or  topped with butter,  (which may be produced at home), and fruit jams and jellies such as. Coffee (served black or ), milk,, and tea are common breakfast beverages. Baked goods and confectionery are also available at cafés, which overwhelmingly open early and begin serving breakfast as early as 6 AM.

On the weekend or on holidays, breakfast may consist of a heartier meal. Dishes served may include or a variety of  and other, with cheese, egg and cold cuts as common ingredients. More complex baked goods, both savory and sweet, are also standard fare.

Lunch
The exact nature of lunch varies widely depending on circumstances: during the week, a typical "working lunch" is a fast meal, usually consisting of a and a main course. The "queen of the meals", however, is the Sunday lunch. Weekend meals in general may begin 30 minutes to an hour past noon and extend for hours on end. A main course of roast meats, grilled fish or seafood is standard, with geographic and seasonal variation, while desserts may range from the simpler to more complex dessert dishes.

Dinner
As the meal most likely to see the whole family coming together at the end of the day, dinner is second only to weekend and holiday lunches as the most complex meal. Dinner can generally be understood as a three course meal: these are the (which is the main source of protein, be it meat, fish, seafood or plant-based) the  (an accompanying "palate cleanser", commonly a salad or refreshing appetizer), and the. Water, particularly, is a must-have at the table, as is one or more accompanying beverages, such as , , , , or other non-alcoholic. is a universal accompaniment, and main courses are often served with vegetables, as well as carbohydrates like, ,  or.

Khota
Khota (meaning brew in Elyrian) is a term referring to a wide range of beverages prepared by one or several ingredients, particularly herbs, in boiling water. Khota may be drunk either warm or cool, neat or sweetened with sugar or honey, and may also be blended with milk, cream, or dairy substitutes. Traditional ingredients include, , , , and , while , , and  are more recent additions.

The khota ritual is one of Ichoria's most emblematic customs. Families and businesses prize themselves on the herbal profile of their brews, and the drink is commonly offered to guests as a hospitality custom. Pre-made mixtures for home consumption can also be purchased at most supermarkets, with many variants of the drinks being known by shorthand names both commercial and customary in origin. Traditional ware includes the khota pot itself, a strainer where the loose herbs are placed to steep, the khota bowls from which the beverage is drunk, as well as jars or pitchers for additional ingredients such as milk or sugar.

Wines and grape spirits
is a widely consumed drink in Ichoria and has been so for many centuries. The oldest archaeological evidence for wine-making in Ichoria dates back to pre-Elyrian times, over 5000 years ago. During Elyrian rule, wines produced in modern-day eastern Ichoria were exported across the Empire and remained one of the major export goods in the area well into the Middle Ages. In the modern day, Ichoria is one of the largest wine producers in the world, with over two dozen different, several endemic and many renowned native wine varieties.

, and  wines are all produced in Ichoria. is a specific kind of wine only produced in the northeastern region of the Alikon, slightly sparkling as a result of and mostly consumed and appreciated locally. The nation is also home to a variety of, be they , , or , the most famous of which are and , both fortified wines, and Crystal, an ice wine from the mountainous region of Yvania. A variety of brandies are also produced from the distillation of grape wastes from wine production.