TheCanopy

Scents surround us all the time, but we cannot record them for posterity. Hence, we make perfumes, scented candles, and potpourri to capture and re-experience the fragrances that help refresh our memories and dreams.

Current human understanding about the brass tacks of the universe revolves around the concepts of dark energy, black holes, and an expanding (will it shrink later?) universe. The pursuit for a 'theory of everything' is ongoing.

Come autumn, the maples change their attire to myriad shades. It is a visual treat for us, but the plant's existence hangs between death and life. Maple leaves are normally green because they have chlorophyll which helps photosynthesis. As the leaves age, chlorophyll production is reduced.

Is happiness measurable, and more importantly, is it something achievable by individuals through conscious effort? Decades of research have been dedicated to pursuing this elusive goal, this mirage of life.

Sea urchins are a delicacy discovered from the sea. Originally an Asian food, they conquered the palate globally with the readily edible orange flesh inside their thorny outer shell.

Stop being too anxious about calories and good food and bad food. Mindfulness-based eating helps your body digest even food that is otherwise difficult to digest. It synchronises your food with your senses and with your whole body too. It helps food and nutrition flow through and into your body with more ease and effectiveness.

This wild plant, adorned with crimson red berries hanging in the thickets and intertwined with creepers and wild trees in my homestead, thrives in shaded areas. I often miss the berries when they are green, but suddenly they appear, looking as if they've been freshly painted red.

The tropical climate and soil, full of plant biodiversity, are also home to hundreds of wild edible leaves, which have great nutritional value and medicinal properties.

All the crucial journeys of an individual begin and end by walking them. For example, one's first walk to the school, the first journey for a job interview, and the first walk home with a special friend.

France and Italy are known for the best quality wild truffles. During the Middle Ages and in the renaissance period especially, truffles were royal treats and coveted gifts.

Tropical rainforests are akin to multi-story buildings, each layer hosting distinct species and interactions. Sometimes there are give and take relations between the populations of each stratum but sometimes a member species of a stratum will never meet a member species of another stratum. Generally, the stories are counted as five.

Foraging is a way of life that we left behind when the world became fast-paced, and market-driven. There is a new interest in it thanks to a few cool people who help the world enjoy spontaneity and an occasional ‘Eureka’ moment of simple joy.

The grace of this silk conceals the arduous process behind its creation. To gather enough lotus silk threads for a small scarf, a single weaver requires 2-3 months of work.

The edelweiss has captivated audiences worldwide since "The Sound of Music," but it is also the national flower of many Alpine countries, a symbol of purity, and has a history with Hitler and Nazism.

Orange Tower and Hill Glory are two tropical flowers that are suitable for gardening because they are flamboyant and easy to grow. These two are cousins of Vervain, and no less magical than this quite famous relative from the temperate zone.

Egyptians considered Frankincense the perfume of Gods. Sandalwood was the ultimate perfume for Indians. There is also some evidence pointing to Indians mastering the art of distilling essential oils as early as 3000 BCE.

Depleted as they might be, our forests and wilderness remain a rich haven of mushrooms such as parasols, morels, chanterelles, buttons, meadows, puffballs and horse mushrooms.

This spice, no less interesting or tastier than pepper, was cast away in the flood of changes happening in the history of food choices.

Jackfruit has been the food of the poor man for centuries in many regions of Asia, due to its abundance and ability to thrive with zero care

Vervain, also known as the Druid’s weed, was a special herb used by Druids in medicinal healing.