kestoña

Kestoña is a term used in the culinary and folkloric traditions of the fictional Kestia region to denote a dried edible seed produced by the kestoño tree. The tree is described in regional lore as an evergreen native to the montane forests of the western archipelago, growing up to about 12–15 meters. Its fruit is a small drupe containing a single seed, protected by a hard corky shell that becomes brittle when mature.

The seed itself is eaten roasted or ground into flour and is valued for its high energy content and nutty flavor, which blends hints of chestnut, cocoa, and toasted almond. In traditional recipes, kestoña flour is used to bake bread, cookies, and thick porridges, or mixed with honey to make a sweet paste. Commercially, toasted kestoña is sold as a snack in coastal markets and sometimes incorporated into regional confections.

Cultural significance and distribution: The harvest signals the onset of autumn in Kestia and features in songs, dances, and harvest festivals. Sustainable collection practices emphasize minimal damage to trees and seed viability; some communities cultivate the kestoño tree in home groves to preserve genetic diversity. While the kestoño is not described in major botanical references, it remains a central element of regional ethnobotany and culinary identity in the fictional setting.