Does anyone know what the Goa plum and the Goa potato actually are?
Maybe someone "from the field" like Miguel could help. Came across these
references in Hobson-Jobson ("originally published more than a hundred
years ago, remains the indispensible lexicon for the innumerable words
which entered into the language of the British expatriates during the
Raj").GOA PLUM: The fruit of Parinarium excelsum, introduced at Goa from Mozambique, called by the Portuguese Matomba. "The fruit is almost pure brown sugar in a paste" (Birdwood, MS) GOA POTATO: Dioscorea aculeata (Birdwood, MS) And I was also wondering about: GOA POWDER: This medicine, which in India is procured from Goa only, is invaluable in the virulent eczema of Bombay, and other skin diseases. In eczema it sometimes acts like magic, but smarts like the cutting of a knife. It is obtained from Andira Araroba (N.O. Leguminosae), a native (we believe) of S. America. The active principle is Chrysophanic acid (Commn. from Sir G Birdwood) GOA STONE: A factitious article which was in great repute for medical virtues in the 17th century.... 1673. -- "The Paulistines enjoy the biggest of all the Monasteries at St Roch; in it is a Library, a Hospital, and an Apothecary's Shop well furnished with Medicines, where Gasper Antonio, a Florentine, a Lay-Brother of the Order, the Author of the Goa-Stones, brings them in 50,000 Xeraphins, by that invention Annually; he is an Old Man, and almost Blind." --Fryer, 149-150. All above quotes are from Hobson-Jobson, p 379. Rupa paperbacks, Rs 165. 1994. -- ---------------------------------------------------------- Frederick 'FN' Noronha | http://del.icio.us/fredericknoronha Saligao, Goa, India | [EMAIL PROTECTED] Independent Journalist | +91(832)2409490 Cell 9822122436 ---------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
