Biota

Diamonds & dimes

The woody dark brown horn-shaped pods do not look edible at all. They look dry and extremely tough, with seeds as hard as stone. This is how most people perceive carob, especially if one is not from a carob growing geography. One hesitates to call carob a fruit - surely it is not a vegetable, but it is usually referred to as carob bean and it must be nature's most peculiar food item.

"Povidla" of Bargau - a remarkably well-preserving plum jam with no additives

The 'povidla' of Bargau is the plum jam produced on the Bargau Valley of Bistrita-Nasaud County in northern Romania; its shelf life is remarkable - at least two years, with no sugar or preservatives added.

Photo credit: (c) CRISTIAN NISTOR / AGERPRES ARCHIVE

Sheep, goat or ram?

Which one do you prefer: sheep, goat or ram? This is not a selective main choice in a menu, but a rather critical question on the significance of this year. There seems to be a confusion on which animal really signifies the forthcoming New Year in the Chinese calendar.

16 sea turtles released back into natural habitat in southern Turkey

Sixteen sea turtles have so far been released back into their natural habitat after being treated at Turkey's first ever sea turtle medical center, in the Mezitli district of the southern province of Mersin.

Sea turtles are treated as an endangered species at the center, which is located in the 100th Year Davultepe forest in the district. 

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