Just finally finished all 54 hour-long episodes of Jewel in the Palace, a Korean historical drama, and probably the show I've been most pulled in by ever. It beautifully weaves traditional Korean cooking and medicine with impossible moral dilemmas, murder, jealousy, and tragic love, and actually has me thinking regularly "What would Jang Geum do?". That's her in the photo, determined to grow Astragalus in the face of collectively held beliefs in the kingdom that it was impossible to grow there. Like JG, I like to try growing something myself before following the wisdom of convention, and like her I plan to grow Astragalus this year, so if you have seeds please send them to me! Also, any other show recommendations for a plant nerd? Maybe in Spanish? I've been watching this one on Viki since August, thanks to a recommendation by my friend Kristyn of Namu Farm, who named two Korean peppers after the head kitchen ladies in this series. While I hesitate to grow and cook with a pepper named after her evil character, Lady Choi Pepper will definitely have a place in my garden this year as an homage to the show and to Kristyn, who’s passion for Korean natural farming techniques including no-till and culturing indigenous micro-organisms, as well as her commitment to preserving heirlooms and supporting Korean farmers, make for a seed with with a powerful vitality, powerful impact, and powerful story. #janggeum #daejanggeum #jewelinthepalace #astragalus #ladychoi #ladyhan
