This post shares a recipe from my book and some information about the Mayan Milpa crop rotation system, their forest gardens and other soil regeneration techniques developed by indigenous peoples
One question I have might seem like a quibble, but it's important to my Anarchist Victory Hypothesis... Why do you say that Tikal lasted until 1100 A.D.? That seems at least 100-200 years later than I would have thought. I'm definitely not an expert though!
I’ve been making biochar for a few years with our leftover coconut waste. I also make charcoal for our cooking needs. However I do believe in keeping a lot of my cut wood on the ground in my food forest where it sucks up moisture as it slowly decomposes and becomes home to fungi, insects and all sort of magic starts to happen.
So I think biochar is a great thing but I’m very wary of these saving-the-world (saving western civilization more like it) schemes of making huge amounts of biochar. (Sorry I didn’t view any of the videos so not making these comments in relation to anything you’ve said here)
One thing I do with my coconut charcoal/biochar is add the worm juice from my vermicompost system (which I just use for dumping our coffee grounds and occasionally feeding a banana trunk). I then use the biochar when I’m making new veggie beds (or reviving them). As I’m in the tropics, I’m hoping this slow addition of biochar may help improve the soil.
I love how you not only share delicious-looking recipes but the history behind the food. I just got some fresh cilantro from one of the farmers at the market, so... :)
Great piece! Thanks so much for letting me repost!
https://nevermoremedia.substack.com/p/did-the-ancient-maya-practice-permaculture
One question I have might seem like a quibble, but it's important to my Anarchist Victory Hypothesis... Why do you say that Tikal lasted until 1100 A.D.? That seems at least 100-200 years later than I would have thought. I'm definitely not an expert though!
Great stuff Gavin and thanks for the deep dive on these farming methods. Offshoot did an essay recently regarding a similar practice in SE Asia:
https://open.substack.com/pub/agrowingculture/p/hin-lad-nai-a-successful-model-of?r=fhgru&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
I’ve been making biochar for a few years with our leftover coconut waste. I also make charcoal for our cooking needs. However I do believe in keeping a lot of my cut wood on the ground in my food forest where it sucks up moisture as it slowly decomposes and becomes home to fungi, insects and all sort of magic starts to happen.
So I think biochar is a great thing but I’m very wary of these saving-the-world (saving western civilization more like it) schemes of making huge amounts of biochar. (Sorry I didn’t view any of the videos so not making these comments in relation to anything you’ve said here)
One thing I do with my coconut charcoal/biochar is add the worm juice from my vermicompost system (which I just use for dumping our coffee grounds and occasionally feeding a banana trunk). I then use the biochar when I’m making new veggie beds (or reviving them). As I’m in the tropics, I’m hoping this slow addition of biochar may help improve the soil.
I love how you not only share delicious-looking recipes but the history behind the food. I just got some fresh cilantro from one of the farmers at the market, so... :)
Wow, YUM.
I grew up in San Antonio, and visited Mexico several times... I LOOOOVE the food.
I love Tortilla Soup, and soup, generally.
Can't wait to try this! GRACIAS!!
I'm in great anticipation of your book becoming available in a print version.