The Drinks
Found on Gor
Serving and Drinking Vessels
Fallacy: Serving Ka-la-na or any wine or even Paga in a silver vessel will poison the drinker.
Fact: On Gor, drinking vessels are made of many things, such as, gold, silver and pewter. Serving Ka-la-na or any wine or alcoholic beverage in a metal vessel is perfectly acceptable, and absolutely does not taint the wine, as evidenced by the following quotes. Note that in the last quote, wines are served in goblets, though it does not state what the goblets are made of. However, based on the first quote, it's reasonable that the goblets were metallic, rather than ceramic. As a side note, however, Ka-la-na is traditionally served from the crater rather than a goblet.
""My hand clenched on the metal goblet. The wine moved in the vessel." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 30.
"I thrust out the silver Paga goblet, studded with rubies, and Telima, standing beside my thronelike chair, filled it. I did not look upon her." — Raiders of Gor, page 223.
"One girl held our head back, and others, from goblets, gave us of wines, Turian wine, sweet and thick, Ta-wine, from the famed Ta grapes, from the terraces of Cos, wines even, Ka-la-nas, sweet and dry, from distant Ar." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 213.
"Bring me a goblet," I said. A goblet was fetched. It was of heavy gold. — Marauders of Gor, page 22.
How the notion of metal vessels tainting wine came about in virtual chat rooms can be blamed on misconceptions and lack of knowledge, or perhaps carried over from another roleplay genre.
Serving the Drinks
Contrary to belief, slaves did not taste food or drink before serving; it was often the case of a slave kissing the vessel before offering the drink, however, a slave's lips were never to touch where that of a free's lips touched, where a free drank or ate. There has also been much debate on whether or not a slave girl should take back away from a free (and exactly how many steps when moving off). These quotes might shed some light, as well as a quote or two on slaves kissing the vessel and tasting. Please refer to the Chores and Serving page for more detailed information.
"Black wine," said she, "from the Mountains of Thentis."
I had heard of black wine, but had never had any. It is drunk in Thentis, but I had never heard of it being much drunk in any of the other cities. "Bring two bowls." I said.
"Two?" asked the girl.
"The slave," I said, indicating Elizabeth, "will taste it first."
"Of course, Master," said the girl. The girl nodded and, rising gracefully, backing away a step or two, head down, turned and went to the kitchen. — Assassin of Gor, page 106.
PLEASE NOTE:
NEVER has a slave in the books tested the vessel against her body to check for any imperfections. THIS IS A BDSM CONCEPT. 
Complete information on serving can be found in the Serving and Chores section.
The Drinks
Ale
A strong beer favored in Torvald, served in tankards.
"The Forkbeard himself now, from a wooden keg, poured a great tankard of ale, which must have been of the measure of five gallons. Over this he then closed his fist. It was the sign of the hammer, the sign of Thor. The tankard then, with two great bronze handles, was passed from hands to hands among the rowers. The men threw back their heads and, the liquid spilling down their bodies, drank ale. It was the victory ale." — Marauders of Gor, page 82.
"Ka-la-na is not Paga or the strong beer of the north." — Hunters of Gor, page 124.
Bazi Tea
An herb used to brew an herbal tea, which is important to both the Innuit of the arctic region, as well as those of the desert, the Tahari. Though it is not stated that this herb is grown in the warmer climates, as is the case with most herbs, due to its name (Bazi) speaks of the jungle regions. It is a good that is likely exported to the regions in the north, perhaps purchased at the Fairs in goodly quantities. The fact that "southern sugars" are also mentioned, would support this. It is drunk very hot, and heavily sugared, in usually three small cups or tiny glasses at a time in rapid succession.
Bazi Tea Cermony?
Alas, there is no such thing as the "Bazi Tea Ceremony" as I have seen demonstrated in many online cities and camps. Beautiful as they are, no such ceremony is ever mentioned in any of the books of Gor written by John Norman.
"An herbal beverage served hot and heavily sugared; traditionally drunk three tiny cups at a time, in rapid succession." — Kajira of Gor, page 332.
"Hot Bazi tea I wanted. This is an important trade item in the north. I now knew why. The southern sugars are also popular. I had originally supposed this was because of their sweetness, there being few sweet items, save some berries, in the north. I now began to suspect that the calories of the sugars also played their role in their popularity. The red hunters think little of eating half a pound of sugar at a sitting." — Beasts of Gor, page 207.
"In turn, from the oases the nomads receive, most importantly, Sa-Tarna grain and the Bazi tea… Tea is extremely important to the nomads. It is served hot and heavily sugared. It gives them strength then, in virtue of the sugar, and cools them, by making them sweat, as well as stimulating them. It is drunk three small cups at a time, carefully measured." — Tribesmen of Gor, pages 37-38.
"I had had verr meat, cut in chunks and threaded on a metal rod, with slices of peppers and larma, and roasted; vulo stew with raisins, nuts, onions and honey; a Kort with melted cheese and nutmeg; hot Bazi tea, sugared, and, later, Turian wine." — Tribesmen of Gor, pages 47-48.
Lifting her skirt the girl went to the tent, to make tea… the girl, measuring the tea, from a tiny tin box… "Is it ready?" I asked. I looked at the tiny copper kettle on the small stand. A tiny kaiila-dung fire burned under it. A small, heavy, curved glass was nearby, on a flat box, which would hold some two ounces of the tea. Bazi tea is drunk in tiny glasses, usually three at a time, carefully measured. — Tribesmen of Gor, pages 139-140.
"She lifted the kettle from the fire and, carefully, poured me a tiny glass of tea." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 141.
Black Wine
This is simply coffee of Earth, although much more bitter. The beans were long ago introduced on Gor and the black wine bean is grown only on the slopes of Thentis, thus rendering this an extremely expensive luxury. This drink traditionally is served with sugar (yellow and white) and bosk milk, and in small cups.
"With a tiny spoon, its tip no more than a tenth of a hort in diameter, she placed four measures of white sugar, and six of yellow, in the cup; with two stirring spoons, one for the white sugar, another for the yellow, she stirred the beverage after each measure." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 89.
"Black wine," said she, "from the Mountains of Thentis." I had heard of black wine, but had never had any. It is drunk in Thentis, but I had never heard of it being much drunk in any of the other cities.
"I have heard," I said to Elizabeth, "that black wine is served hot." In short order two bowls, steam cuffing out of them, were brought and placed on the table. I sat there staring down at them, and Elizabeth did, too. Then I picked up one of the thick, heavy clay bowls. Since no one was looking, we knocked the bowls together and put them to our lips. It was extremely strong, and bitter, but it was hot, and, unmistakably, it was coffee. — Assassin of Gor, page 106.
"Actually," I said to Elizabeth, "this is very rare. Thentis does not trade the beans for black wine. I have heard of a cup of black wine in Ar, some years ago, selling for a silver eighty-piece. Even in Thentis black wine is used commonly only in High Caste homes."
"Perhaps it is from Earth?" she asked.
"Originally, doubtless beans were brought from Earth," I said, "much as certain other seeds, and silk worms and such, but I doubt very much that the ship I saw last night had in its cargo anything as trivial as the beans for black wine." — Assassin of Gor, page 107."… the unmistakable odor of coffee, or as the Goreans express it, black wine. The beans grow largely on the slopes of the Thentis mountains… black wine is far more common on Earth than on Gor, where it is, except for the city of Thentis, a city famed for her tarn flocks, and her surrounding villages, a somewhat rare and unusual luxury… I, grasping the pot with a rag and both hands, poured him a handled, metal tankard of the steaming black brew, coffee or black wine." — Slave Girl of Gor, pages 73-74.
"I grinned, and washed down the eggs with a swig of hot black wine, prepared from the beans grown upon the slopes of the Thentis mountains. This black wine is quite expensive. Men have been slain on Gor for attempting to smuggle the beans out of the Thentian territories." — Beasts of Gor, page 21.
"On the tray, too, was the metal vessel which had contained the black wine, steaming and bitter, from far Thentis, famed for its tarn flocks, the small yellow-enameled cups from which we had drunk the black wine, its spoons and sugars…" — Explorers of Gor, page 10.
"It was my loss," smiled Ibn Saran, lifting to his lips a tiny, steaming cup of black wine. — Tribesmen of Gor, page 88.
Origin of Terms First Slave and Second Slave
These terms are most known among river towns and cities, especially those in the north. Black wine is normally served by two slaves. The first slave being the one who puts down the cups, takes the orders and ensures that the beverages are prepared and served according to the preference of the one being served. The second slave then is the one who carries the black wine vessel and pours the drink into the cups. Also, the term second slave is used if only one slave is serving to indicate that the drink is to be served black (without sugars or milk). In the desert region however, one slave is designated to pour the black wine, while a second to add in the sugars, making first- and second-slave a slightly altered meaning.
Note: The terms "first slave" and "second slave" were not mentioned in "Tribesmen of Gor" as some sites have proclaimed; therefore, it's only conjecture that the matched set of serving slaves were "first slave" or "second slave."
"The origin of 'first slave' and 'second slave' is derived as to how the beverage is normally served, and often these terms amongst river towns and cities, especially of the north. Black wine is normally served by two slaves; the 'first slave' being the girl that puts down the cups, takes the orders and sees that the beverage is prepared according to the preferences of the one being served and the 'second slave' being the girl who carries the vessel of black wine and pours into the cups. The term 'second slave' is used even if only one slave is serving to indicate that it is to be served black." — Guardsman of Gor, page 245.
"From one side a slave girl, barefoot, bangled, in sashed, diaphanous, trousered chalwar, gathered at the ankles, in tight, red-silk vest, with bare midriff, fled to him, with the tall, graceful, silvered pot-containing the black wine. She was veiled. She knelt, replenishing the drink. Beneath her veil I saw the metal of her collar… Ibn Saran lifted another finger. From the side there hastened to him another girl, a fair-skinned, red-haired girl. She, too, wore veil, vest, chalwar, bangles, collar. She carried a tray, on which were various spoons and sugars. She knelt, placing her tray on the table. With a tiny spoon, its tip no more than a tenth of a hort in diameter, she placed four measures of white sugar, and six of yellow, in the cup; with two stirring spoons, one for the white sugar, another for the yellow, she stirred the beverage after each measure. She then held the cup to the side of her cheek, testing its temperature; Ibn Saran glanced at her; she, looking at him, timidly kissed the side of the cup and placed it before him. Then, her head down, she withdrew." — Tribesmen of Gor, pages 88-89.
"I decided I might care to taste the steaming, black wine. I lifted my finger. The girl in whose charge was the silver vessel, filled with black wine, knelt beside a tiny brazier, on which it sat, retaining its warmth. Seeing my signal, she stiffened; she hesitated. She was white, dark-haired. She wore a high, tight vest of red silk, with four hooks; her midriff was bare; she wore the sashed chalwar, a sashed, diaphanous trousered garment, full but gathered in, closely, at the ankles; she was barefoot; her wrists and ankles were bangled; she was veiled; she was collared. She rose swiftly to her feet. She knelt, head down, before me. She poured, carefully, the hot, black beverage into the tiny red cup. I dismissed her. Beneath her veil I had not been able to read the lettering on her collar, which would tell who owned her. I supposed it was Suleiman, since she was serving in the palace. The other girl, the white-skinned, red-haired girl, also in vest, chalwar and veil, and bangles and collar, lifted her tray of spoons and sugars. But I turned away. She was not summoned. The girls, white-skinned, were a matched set of slaves, one for the black wine, one for its sugars." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 105.
Breeding Wine
Also known as "second wine," this beverage is made from the teslik plant and used to reverse the contraceptive effects of slave wine. Unlike the bitter slave wine, breeding wine is sweet and smooth in taste. This would only be given to a slave girl that was about to be bred with another.
"A beverage made from the extract of the teslik plant, counteracts the contraceptive effects of slave wine, making a slave girl fertile; also called 'second wine.' This would be served to a girl by her Master in the event she is to be bred with a handsome male slave. Such breeding is done with both male and female slaves hooded so that they may not see each other." — Blood Brothers of Gor, pages 319-320.
"The effect of the slave wine endures several cycles, or moons; it may be counteracted by another drink, a smooth, sweet beverage, which frees the girl's body for the act of the male slave, or, in unusual cases, should she be freed, to the act of the lover…" — Slave Girl of Gor, page 70.
Cho
A non-existent drink. This is another example of something that is placed on websites by those without access to the books, and cut-and-paste from other websites, from quotes and such, not understanding or fully knowing what is being placed on the pages. "Cho" is not found in the books written by John Norman, created by those on mIRC who even to this day have no clue.
Chocolate
This drink, very expensive and very rarely served,
is made from beans brought back on one of the early Voyages of Acquisition, this is the same as the chocolate of Earth. Generally, it is served in higher class establishments.
"This is warmed chocolate," I said, pleased. It was very rich and creamy.
"Yes Mistress." said the girl.
"It is very good," I said.
"Thank you, Mistress," she said.
"Is it from Earth?" I asked.
"Not directly," she said. "Many things here, of course, ultimately have an Earth origin. It is not improbable that the beans from which the first cacao trees on this world were grown were brought from Earth."
"Do the trees grown near here?" I asked.
"No Mistress," she said, "we obtain the beans from the Cosian merchants, who in turn, obtain them in the tropics." — Kajira of Gor, page 61.
Cosian Wine
It would seem by this quote, that a variety of types of wines are produced in Cos.
"About Kutaituchik there were piled various goods, mostly vessels of precious metal and strings and piles of jewels; there was sills there from Tyros; silver from Thentis and Tharna; tapestries from the mills of Ar; wines from Cos; dates from the city of Tor." — Nomads of Gor, page 42.
Falarian Wine
An extremely rare, extremely expensive wine, which supposedly its existence is a secret; this wine is purported to be so rare and expensive, its cost could purchase a city.
“Among these petitioners came one fellow bringing with him the promise of a gift of wine, a wine supposedly secret, the rare Falarian, a wine only rumored among collectors to exist, a wine supposedly so rare and precious that its cost might purchase a city.” — Mercenaries of Gor, page 158.
Flavored Ice
A drink similar to fruit slushes on Earth. These drinks are found in cities where ice would be available. Most probably, an expensive treat.
"Some even lifted their veils somewhat to drink of the flavored ices." — Assassin of Gor, page 141.
Juice
No where in any of the books is it mentioned of juices being a beverage commonly consumed. It might be easy enough to assume there were juices being that there were ample fruits to make juice. Something John Norman forgot in his long diatribes? I think he ought to write a new one: "Juices of Gor." There's not one room on virtual chat Gor that doesn't offer ramberry juice, or ka-la-na juice, larma juice, or a myriad of others. One thing close to juices, are the flavored ices, which are mentioned in the books. Juices used in the making of Kal-da, as well. Tospit juices are mentioned, but are used in making syrups for prepared foods.
"The tospits, in the Forkbeard's orchard, which can grow at this latitude, as the larma cannot, were too green to eat. I smiled, ecalling that tospits almost invariably have an odd number of seeds, saving the rarer, long-stemmed variety. I do not care too much for tospits, as they are quite bitter. Some men like them. They are commonly used, sliced and sweetened with honey, and in syrups, and to flavor, with their juices, a variety of dishes. They are also excellent in the prevention of nutritional deficiencies at sea, in long voyages, containing, I expect, a great deal of vitamin C. They are sometimes called the seaman's larma. They are a fairly hardfleshed fruit, and are not difficult to dry and store. On the serpents they are carried in small barrels, usually kept, with vegetables, under the overturned keel of the longboat." — Marauders of Gor, page 102.
Ka-la-na
Made from the fruit of the Ka-la-na tree, this wine is a sweet and dry wine, red color, light in hue and incandescent. It is also known as the drink of romance, served as a toast of Free Companionship. It is a very potent drink — at least for females. The best Ka-la-nas are produced in Ar and Cos.
"After the meal I tasted the drink, which might not inappropriately be described as an almost incandescent wine, bright, dry, and powerful. I learned later it was called Ka-la-na." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 26.
"…and drops of a red, winelike drink made from the fruit of the Ka-la-na tree." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 68.
"I lunged for the center of the platform, breaking under my foot a small ceremonial basket filled with grain, kicking from my path a Ka-la-na container, splashing the fermented red liquid across the stone surface." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 79.
"Yes! It would be the one that would be red with Ka-la-na, that would be sprinkled with the seeds of grain!" — Tarnsman of Gor, page 79.
"And then, in his joy, he turned to Talena and in gracious salute lifted the symbolic cup of Ka-la-na wine to her beauty." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 217.
"I went to his locker near the mat and got out his Ka-la-na flask, taking a long draught myself and then shoving it into his hands. He drained the flask in one drink and wiped his hand across his beard, stained with the red juice of the fermented drink." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 168.
"He signaled to a boy who carried a skin of Ka-la-na wine over his shoulder. He took the skin of wine from the boy and bit out the horn plug; he then, with the wineskin on his shoulder, held back the head of Elizabeth Cardwell with one hand and with the other shoved the bone nozzle of the skin between her teeth; he tipped the skin and the girl, half choking, swallowed wine; some of the red fluid ran from her mouth and over her body. When Kamchak thought she had drunk enough he pulled the nozzle from her mouth, pushed back the plug and returned the skin to the boy." — Nomads of Gor, pages 39-40.
"I put back my head and drank the wine. It was Ka-la-na wine. I felt it almost immediately." — Captive of Gor, page 302.
"One girl held our head back, and others, from goblets, gave us of wines, Turian wine, sweet and thick, Ta-wine, from the famed Ta grapes, from the terraces of Cos, wines even, Ka-la-nas, sweet and dry, from distant Ar." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 213.
"She carried two large bottles of wine, red Ka-la-na, from the vineyards of Ar." — Hunters of Gor, page 21.
They were in dark bottles. He turned them about. "From the vineyards of Ar," he whistled. It was choice Ka-la-na. — Hunters of Gor, page 122.
"They would not become drunk. One bottle of Ka-la-na among ten men is nothing. Ka-la-na is not Paga or the strong beer of the north." — Hunters of Gor, page 124.
"I put back my head and finished it. It was bitter, the dregs. Bit it had in it the warmth and flash of the fine Ka-la-na. The vineyards of Ar, as those of Cos, were among the finest on all Gor." — Hunters of Gor, page 124.
Ka-la-na is kept in many forms of containers, such as bottles and flasks.
"Also, I didn't want Kazrak, when his wound was healed, to be reduced to challenging some luckless warrior for a bottle of Ka-la-na wine." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 126.
"I went to his locker near the mat and got out his Ka-la-na flask, taking a long draught myself and then shoving it into his hands. He drained the flask in one drink and wiped his hand across his beard, stained with the red juice of the fermented drink." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 168.
"… citizens who had marched in the processions of the Ubar in the days of his glory, carrying flasks of Ka-la-na wine…" — Tarnsman of Gor, page 102.
"He signaled to a boy who carried a skin of Ka-la-na wine over his shoulder. He took the skin of wine from the boy and bit out the horn plug; he then, with the wineskin on his shoulder, held back the head of Elizabeth Cardwell with one hand and with the other shoved the bone nozzle of the skin between her teeth; he tipped the skin and the girl, half choking, swallowed wine; some of the red fluid ran from her mouth and over her body." — Nomads of Gor, pages 39-40.
"Give him Ka-la-na wine," prompted Elizabeth. Aphris got up and fetched not a skin, but a bottle, of wine, Ka-la-na wine, from the Ka-la-na orchards of great Ar itself. She also brought a black, red-trimmed wine crater from the isle of Cos. — Nomads of Gor, pages 150-151.
"I went to the chest by the side of the wagon and pulled out a small bottle, one of several, of Ka-la-na wine which reposed there… She took the bowl of wine and smiled, waiting for me to fill one for myself." — Nomads of Gor, page 281.
Ka-la-na is served heated as well, although it is not customarily served this way. It is said that the warriors of Treve prefer their Ka-la-na heated.
"Inside, in a brass pan, there was a small fire of coals. Over the coals, on a tripod, there was, warming, a small metal wine bowl. Warriors of Treve, I had heard, had a fondness for warm wines." — Captive of Gor, page 274.
"Serve me wine," he said. I turned and, among the furnishings of the tent, found a bottle of Ka-la-na, of good vintage, from the vineyards of Ar, the loot of a caravan raid. I then took the wine, with a small copper bowl, and a black, red-trimmed wine crater, to the side of the fire. I poured some of the wine into the small copper bowl, and set it on the tripod over the tiny fire in the fire bowl… I poured the wine from the small copper bowl into the black, red-trimmed wine crater, placing the small bowl in a rack to one side of the fire. I swirled, slowly, the wine in the wine crater. I saw my reflection in the redness, the blondness of my hair, dark in the wine, and the collar, with its bells, about my throat… I, carrying the wine crater, rose to my feet and approached him. I then knelt before him, with a rustle of slave bells, in the position of the pleasure slave. I put my head down and, with both hands, extending my arms to him, held forth the wine crater. "I offer you wine, Master,' I said. — Captive of Gor, page 311.
"I turned and among the furnishings of the tent, found a bottle of Ka-la-na, of good vintage, from the vineyards of Ar, the loot of a caravan raid. I then took the wine, with a small copper bowl, and a black, red-rimmed wine crater, to the side of the fire." — Captive of Gor, page 331.
There are specific brands of Ka-la-nas. Two are mentioned. One is a medium-grade Ka-la-na grown by the famous Boleto and served in the public slave gardens; known as Boleto's Nectar. The other is an expensive brand known as Slave Gardens of Anesidemus.
"I turned the bottle so that she might read the label. It was a small bottle of Boleto's Nectar of the Public Slave Gardens. Boleto is a well-known winegrower from the vicinity of Ar. He is famous for the production of a large number of reasonably good, medium-grade ka-la-nas. This was one of the major wines, and perhaps the best, served in Ar's public slave gardens; indeed, it had originally been commissioned for that market; hence the name." — Mercenaries of Gor, page 360.
dt>"Perhaps a tiny glass of ka-la-na," she said, "among friends."
I looked to the left, Louise, as she had been bidden, was watching. I lifted my finger. The Earth girl then leapt up and hurried to the table. At the table she knelt. "A small bottle," I said, "of the Slave Gardens of Anesidemus."
"I have heard that is a marvelous ka-la-na," said the free woman, her eyes alight.
"So, too, have I," I said.
"It is very expensive," said the woman. — Mercenaries of Gor, pages 344-345.
Kal-da
This drink is made of cheap Ka-la-na, strong spices and citrus juice.
"Kal-da is a hot drink, almost scalding, made of diluted Ka-la-na wine, mixed with citrus juices and stinging spices. I did not care much for this mouth-burning concoction, but it was popular with some of the lower castes, particularly those who performed strenuous manual labor. I expected its popularity was due more to its capacity to warm a man and stick to his ribs, and to its cheapness (a poor grade of Ka-la-na wine being used in its brewing) than to any gustatory excellence. But I reasoned on this night of all nights, this cold, depressing wet night, a cup of Kal-da might go well indeed." — Outlaw of Gor, page 76.
"Behind the counter the thin, bald-headed proprietor, his forehead glistening, his slick black apron stained with spices, juices and wine, busily worked his long mixing paddle in a vast pot of bubbling Kal-da. My nose wrinkled. There was no mistaking the smell of brewing Kal-da." — Outlaw of Gor, page 223.
"Even the proprietor slept, his head across his folded arms on the counter, behind which stood the great Kal-da brewing pots, at last empty and cold." — Outlaw of Gor, page 80.
"Other girls now appeared among the tables, clad only in a camisk and a silver collar, and sullenly, silently, began to serve the Kal-da which Kron had ordered. Each carried a heavy pot of the foul, boiling brew and, cup by cup, replenished the cups of the men." — Outlaw of Gor, page 226.
Liqueurs
A sweet alcoholic beverage, generally drank after dinner. Although liqueurs are made in various places on Gor, the Turian liqueurs are considered the best. See "Turian Liqueurs."
Etymology: French, from Old French licour liquid; Date: 1729;
"A usually sweetened alcoholic liquor (as brandy) flavored with fruit, spices, nuts, herbs, or seeds." —Merriam-Webster Dictionary ©2004-2006
Mead
A beverage of fermented honey, water and spice, and very potent. Common drink of the northern parts of Gor. Based upon the quotes below, mead is served in tankards and in drinking horns, as well as, hot and steaming.
"Also called Metheglin, — an alcoholic beverage fermented from honey and water; sometimes yeast is added to accelerate the fermentation. Strictly speaking, the term metheglin (from the Welsh meddyglyn, "physician," for the drink's reputed medicinal powers) refers only to spiced mead made with the addition of such spices and herbs as cloves, ginger, rosemary, hyssop, and thyme." —Encyclopaedia Britannica ©2004-2006
"In the north generally, mead, a drink made with fermented honey, water, and often spices and such, tends to be favored over Paga." — Vagabonds of Gor, page 16.
"Here Jarl," said Thyri, again handing me the horn. It was filled with the mead of Torvaldsland, brewed from fermented honey, thick and sweet." — Marauders of Gor, page 90.
"Mead!" He held out the great, curved horn, with its rim filigreed gold. — Marauders of Gor, page 129.
"Hilda the Haughty, daughter of Thorgard of Scagnar, stripped as any bond-maid, from a large bronze vessel poured mead for the Forkbeard." — Marauders of Gor, page 129.
"Bera went to the next man, to fill his cup with the mead, from the heavy hot tankard, gripped with cloth, which she carried." — Marauders of Gor, page 78.
"My right arm was about her, holding her to me, in my right hand, held in its grip of golden wire, was a great horn of steaming mead." — Marauders of Gor, page 277.
Milk
Depending on the region, milk can be Bosk, Verr or Kaiila. For example, the Wagon Peoples drink the milk of the Bosk; the desert tribes of the Tahari rely on the milk of the Sand Kaiila, which is reddish in color, 
due to the high salt and ferrous sulfate content. As is the case with most Gorean homes, stores of powdered milk are kept for when fresh milk [creams] is not available.
"The Wagon Peoples grow no food, nor do they have manufacturing as we know it. They are herders and it is said, killers. They eat nothing that has touched the dirt. They live on the meat and milk of the bosk." — Nomads of Gor, page 4.
"I brought up from the kitchen, where I had been keeping it hot, a vessel of black wine, with sugars, and cups and spoons. Too, I had brought up a small bowl of powdered bosk milk. We had finished the creams last night and, in any event, it was unlikely they would have lasted the night. If I had wanted creams I would have had to have gone to the market. My house, incidentally, like most Gorean houses, had no ice chest. There is little cold storage on Gor. Generally food is preserved by being dried or salted. Some cold storage, of course, does exist. Ice is cut from ponds in the winter, and then stored in ice houses for it, or have it delivered in ice wagons. Most Goreans, of course, cannot afford the luxury of ice in the summer." — Guardsman of Gor, page 295.
"When the meat was ready Kamchak ate his fill, and drank down, too, a flagon of bosk milk…" — Nomads of Gor, pages 138-139.
"Behind them came another of their caste, leading two milk verr which he had purchased." — Beasts of Gor, page 47.
"… kaiila milk, which is used, like verr milk, by the peoples of the Tahari, is reddish, and has a strong, salty taste; it contains much ferrous sulphate…" — Tribesmen of Gor, page 71.
Milk Curds, Fermented
Traditional alcoholic beverage of the Tuchuks, made from bosk milk and very potent.
"By one fire I could see a squat Tuchuk; hands on his hips, dancing and stamping about by himself, drunk on fermented milk curds, dancing, according to Kamchak, to please the sky." — Nomads of Gor, page 28.
Mulled Ka-la-na
By dictionary definition (heated, spiced wine), this indicates the drink, Kal-da, although this term does not exist in any of the books of Gor.
Paga
(Shortened from "Pagar-Sa-Tarna," meaning "Pleasure of the Life-Daughter")
Also known as Sa-Tarna Paga, Paga for short, this is a grain-based distilled hard liquor; this is the drink most often served in taverns. Traditionally, Paga is served at room temperature, however, some Warriors favor their Paga to be served hot. Paga, or Sa-Tarna Pagas differ by the region in which they are brewed. This drink is served in goblets, cups, kantharos, bota, or straight from the bottle.
Regarding Warming Stones
I have often seen in virtual chat rooms, the mention of "warming stones" when a slave girl serves. There is no mention of "warming stones" in the books. Perhaps, through the many misinterpretations — and misinformation — from the books, the braziers and fire bowls of such nomadic peoples as the desert tribes and the Wagon Peoples of the plains of Turia became the "warming stones" of virtual chat rooms.
"The Older Tarl and I may have drunk too much of that fermented brew, concocted with fiendish skill from the yellow grain, 'Sa-Tarna,' and called 'Pagar-Sa-Tarna,' 'Pleasure of the Life-Daughter,' but almost always 'Paga' for short." — Tarnsman of Gor, pages 60-61.
"I decided, if worst came to worst, that I could always go to a simple Paga Tavern where… one might, curled in a rug behind the low tables, unobtrusively spend the night for the price of a pot of Paga, a strong, fermented drink brewed from the yellow grains of Gor's staple crop, Sa-Tarna, or Life-Daughter. The expression is related to Sa-Tassna, the expression for meat, or for food in general, which means Life-Mother. Paga is a corruption of Pagar-Sa-Tarna, which means Pleasure of the Life-Daughter." — Outlaw of Gor, pages 74-75.
Busebius rushed to the table. "Master," said he, "we have many Pagas, those of Ar and Tyros, and Ko-ro-ba, and Helmutsport, and Anango, and Tharna!" The Pagas mentioned by Busebius were all, of course, Sa-Tarna Pagas, of various sorts and localities, varying largely in the blend… — Slave Girl of Gor, page 414.
"Then he took his goblet of Paga and drained it, watching the girls swaying to the caress of Turian melodies." — Nomads of Gor, page 97.
"For all his uproarious stomping about the wagon last night, Paga bottle in hand, singing gusty Tuchuk songs…" — Nomads of Gor, page 112.
"In most taverns no bottle is brought to the table but the Paga is brought to the table, by the Paga slave, a cup at a time, the cups normally being filled from a vat behind the counter." — Explorers of Gor, page 158.
"I threw a sliver tarsk, taken from what we had obtained from the slavers in the marsh, to the proprietor of the Paga tavern, and took in return one of the huge bottles of Paga, of the sort you put in a pouring sling…" — Raiders of Gor, page 111.
"The proprietor, when I entered, lifted his head from the counter, behind which hung a great bottle of paga in its pouring sling. I threw down a copper tarn disk and he tilted the great bottle. I took my goblet of paga to a table and sat down, cross-legged, behind it." — Raiders of Gor, page 120.
"Paga!" called the standing man. "Paga!" A blonde girl, nude, with a string of pearls wound about her steel collar, ran to the table and, from the bronze vessel, on its strap, about her shoulder, poured Paga into the goblet before the seated man. — Rogue of Gor, page 78.
"Samos put down a cup of Paga." — Raiders of Gor, page 306.
"I observed Inge filling the Paga goblet of one of the huntsmen. She knelt closer to him than she needed to. Her lips were parted. Her eyes shone. Her hands, slightly, shook on the Paga bottle." — Captive of Gor, page 300.
"The Paga tasted a bit strange, but it was a local Paga and there is variation in such Pagas, generally a function of the brewer's choice of herbs and grains." — Explorers of Gor, page 132.
"It was long since I had tasted the fiery Paga of the Sa-Tarna fields north of the Vosk." — Marauders of Gor, page 1.
I hurried to the counter and handed Busebius, who was beaming, the Paga vessel and strap. Again it had been emptied. He dipped the vessel into a great vat of Paga and returned it to me. "Paga! Paga!" I heard. I did not even have time to slip the vessel on its strap over my shoulder. Holding its two handles with my hands, I fled back, with a jangle of slave bells, to the floor, to serve. — Slave Girl of Gor, page 298.
"She knelt near the table… and put the Paga, in a small kantharos." — Renegades of Gor, page 71.
"The girls filled their vessels, which, like the hydria, or water vessel, are high-handled, for dipping, in a large kettle hung simmering over a fire near the entrance to the enclosure. Warm Paga makes one drunk quicker, it is thought… Some Cosians tend to be fond of hot Paga." — Vagabonds of Gor, page 16.
"I thrust out the silver Paga goblet, studded with rubies, and Telima, standing beside my thronelike chair, filled it. I did not look upon her." — Raiders of Gor, page 223.
Palm Wine
A popular export of Schendi, although there is only one reference to this wine. Probably, the wine is made of the palm of the inland rainforests.
"Schendi's… most delicious exports is palm wine." — Explorers of Gor, page 115.
Rence Beer
Brewed from the seeds and pith of the rence plant, it is an alcoholic drink of the rence growers of the Delta of the Vosk.
"At such times there is drinking of rence beer, steeped, boiled and fermented from crushed seeds and the whitish pith of the plant, singing, games, contests and courtship, for the young people of the rence islands too seldom meet those of the other communities." — Raiders of Gor, page 18.
"I had also been used to carry heavy kettles of rence beer from the various islands to the place of feasting, as well as strings of water gourds, poles of fish, plucked gants, slaughtered tarsks, and baskets of the pith of rence." — Raiders of Gor, pages 40-41.
"I had carried about bowls of cut, fried fish, and wooden trays of roasted tarsk meat, and roasted gants, threaded on sticks, and rence cakes and porridges, and gourd flagons, many times replenished, of rence beer." — Raiders of Gor, page 44.
Slave Wine [1]
Developed by the Caste of Physicians, this is a bitter drink made from the sip root, with contraceptive effects; administered to slave girls. There is much debate as to how often a slave is to drink the slave wine; and reasonably so, as John Norman himself describes the lasting effects of the slave wine inconsistently. Realistically, the slave wine, drunk once, has an almost indefinite contraceptive life, counteracted only by the breeding wine, or "second wine." However, masters often yearly give his slave girls the slave wine to drink as a symbolic gesture, almost ceremonial. The following quotes should help shed some light.
I held the object before her. She regarded it with dismay. "I have already chewed sip root within the moon," she said.
"Open your mouth," I said.
"Yes, Master," she said. I then thrust the object into her mouth.
"Chew it well," I said, "and swallow it, bit by bit." She grimaced, at the barest taste of the object. "Begin," I told her. She began. "Not so quickly," I told her. "More slowly. Very slowly. Very, very slowly. Savor it well." She whimpered in obedience.
She did not need the sip root, of course, for, as she had pointed out, she had had some within the moon, and, indeed, the effect of sip root, in the raw state, in most women, is three or four moons. In the concentrated state, as in slave wine, developed by the caste of physicians, the effect is almost indefinite, usually requiring a releaser for its remission, usually administered to a slave, in what is called the breeding wine, or the "second wine." When this is administered she usually knows that she has been selected for crossing with a handsome male slave.
Such breedings commonly take place with the slaves hooded, and under the supervision of the master, or masters. In this way the occurrence of the breeding act can be confirmed and authenticated. Sometimes a member of the caste of scribes is also present, to provide certification on behalf of the city. Usually, however, in cities which encourage this sort of registration it is sufficient to bring the papers for stamping to the proper office within forty Ahn. Such rigor, however, is usually involved only in the breeding of expensive, pedigreed slaves. Most slave breeding is at the discretion of the private master or masters involved. Slaves from the same household, incidentally, are seldom mated. This practice is intended to reduce the likelihood of intimate emotional relationships among slaves. Furthermore, male and female slaves are usually kept separate, female slaves commonly performing light labors in households and male slaves working in the fields or on the grounds. Sometimes, to reward male slaves, or keep them content, or even to keep them from going insane, a female slave is thrown to them. This is sometimes a girl of delicate sensibilities from the house who has not been perfectly pleasing; she then finds herself thrown naked to work slaves. In slave matings, since most crossings do not take place within the same household, a stud fee is usually paid to the master of the male slave. The active ingredient in the breeding wine, or the "second wine," is a derivative of teslki. In the matter of bitterness of taste there is little to choose from between raw sip root and slave wine, the emulsive qualities of the slave wine being offset to some extent by the strength of the concentrations involved. — Blood Brothers of Gor, pages 319-320."Holding the blanket about me, I went to him. He proffered me a cup and I, with one hand, holding the blanket about me with the other, drank its contents. It was a foul brew, but I downed it. I did not know at the time, but it was slave wine. Men seldom breed upon their slave girls. Female slaves, when bred, are commonly hooded and crossed with a male slave, similarly hooded, the breeding conducted under the supervision of their respective owners; a girl is seldom bred with a slave from her own house; personal relationships between male and female slaves are usually frowned upon; sometimes, however, as a discipline even a high female slave is sometimes thrown to a chain of work slaves for their pleasure. The effect of the slave wine endures several cycles, or moons; it may be counteracted by another drink, a smooth, sweet beverage, which frees the girl's body for the act of the male slave, or, in unusual cases, should she be freed, to the act of the lover; slave girls, incidentally, are almost never freed on Gor; they are too delicious and desirable to free; only a fool, it is commonly said, would free one." — Slave Girl of Gor, page 70.
"Unless you have had slave wine," he said, "I have no intention of taking you through the streets clad as you are. Suppose you are raped."
I put the flask, which he had opened, to my lips. Its opening was large enough to drink freely from. "It is bitter!" I said, touching my lips to it.
"It is the standard concentration, and dosage," he said, "plus a little more, for assurance. Its effect is indefinite, but it is normally renewed annually, primarily for symbolic purposes.
I could not believe how bitter it was. I had learned from Susan, whom I had once questioned on the matter, the object. It is prepared from a derivative of sip root. The formula, too, I had learned, at the insistence of masters and slavers, had been improved by the caste of physicians within the last few years. It was now, for most practical purposes, universally effective. Too, as Drusus Rencius had mentioned, its effects, at least for most practical purposes, lasted indefinitely. — Kajira of Gor, pages 130-131."The two females," I told him, "have recently been free. Accordingly, as soon as they have been collared, force them to drink slave wine." Slave wine is bitter, intentionally so. Its effect lasts for more than a Gorean month. I did not wish the females to conceive. A female slave is taken off slave wine only when it is her master's intention to breed her. — Marauders of Gor, pages 23-24.
Gorm then stood beside Ivar Forkbeard. He carried, on a strap over his shoulder, a tall, dark vessel, filled with liquid. The men on the shore laughed. Attached to the vessel, by a light chain, was a golden cup. It had two handles. From a spout on the vessel, grinning, Gorm filled the golden cup. The liquid swirling in the cup was black. Drink," said Ivar Forkbeard, thrusting the cup into the hands of the slender, blond girl, she who had, so long ago, in the temple of Kassau, worn the snood of scarlet yarn, with twisted golden wire, the red vest and skirt, the white blouse. She held the cup. It was decorated; about its sides, cunningly wrought, was a design, bond-maids, chained. A chain design also decorated the rim, and, at five places on the cup, was the image of a slave whip, five-strapped. She looked at the black liquid. "Drink," said the Forkbeard.
She lifted it to her lips, and tasted it. She closed her eyes, and twisted her face. "It is too bitter," she wept.
She felt the knife of the Forkbeard at her belly. "Drink," said he. She threw back her head and drank down the foul brew. She began to cough and weep… One by one, the prizes of Ivar Forkbeard, even the rich, proud Aelgifu, were forced to down the slave wine. Then they were, one by one, freed from the coffle, and hurried to the branding log. — Marauders of Gor, pages 83-84.
Slave Wine [2]
Any wine served to a slave by his or her owner, often diluted with water, generally done as an act of kindness or endearment, or should a master wish his slave to join him in a drink. Usually, it is a cheap wine so as not to waste expensive wines on a lowly slave.
"I wear a light, rep cloth slave tunic. On the floor, on straw, was a blanket which I had been given. Though the cell door was locked, I was not chained. On the table was a bowl of cheap wine, some wedges of yellow bread and a wooden bowl containing vegetables and chunks of meat." — Fighting Slave of Gor, page 87.
Sul Paga
An tasteless, potent alcoholic beverage distilled, clear and made from the sul; it is the drink of peasants. Rarely is this drink found outside of peasant villages.
My master extended his cup to me, and I, kneeling, filled it with Sul Paga. I pressed my lips to the cup, and handed it to him. My eyes smarted. I almost felt drunk from the fumes… Sul Paga is, when distilled, though the Sul itself is yellow, as clear as water… The still, with its tanks and pipes, lay within the village… "Excellent," said my master, sipping the Sul Paga. He could have been commenting only on the potency of the drink, for Sul Paga is almost tasteless. One does not guzzle Sul Paga. — Slave Girl of Gor, page 134.
"Sul Paga! Sul Paga!" cried Thurnus. The great staff banged on the table. Busebius rushed to the table. "Master," said he, "we have many Pagas, those of Ar and Tyros, and Ko-ro-ba, and Helmutsport, and Anango, and Tharna!" The Pagas mentioned by Busebius were all, of course, Sa-Tarna Pagas, of various sorts and localities, varying largely in the blend… Sul Paga, as anyone knew, is seldom available outside of a peasant village, where it is brewed. Sul Paga would slow a tharlarion. To stay on your feet after a mouthful of Sul Paga it is said one must be of the peasants, and then for several generations. And even then, it is said, it is difficult to manage. There is a joke about the baby of a peasant father being born drunk nine months later. — Slave Girl of Gor, pages 413-414.
Ta-Wine
Wine made from the Ta grapes of Cos.
"One girl held our head back, and others, from goblets, gave us of wines, Turian wine, sweet and thick, Ta-wine, from the famed Ta grapes, from the terraces of Cos, wines even, Ka-la-nas, sweet and dry, from distant Ar." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 213.
"… and Ta wine, from the famed Ta grapes of the Cosian terraces." — Beasts of Gor, page 98.
Tarn Blood
The blood of the tarns, drunk only in serious times when water is not available; it serves as both nourishment and refreshment.
"Worse, from the reports of deserters, it became clear that the city was starving and that water was running short. Some of the defenders were opening the veins of surviving tarns, to drink the blood." — Tarnsman of Gor, pages 186-187.
Turian Liqueur
A thick, sweet liqueur from Turia, served in tiny glasses. These liqueurs are considered the best on Gor.
"She picked up the small tray from the stand near the table. On it was the small vessel containing a thick, sweet liqueur from distant Turia, the Ar of the south, and the two tiny glasses from which we had sipped it." — Explorers of Gor, page 10.
Turian Wine
Sweet, syrupy wines of Turia, flavored and sugared to the point where could leave a mark on the surface.
"I did not much care for the sweet, syrupy wines of Turia, flavored and sugared to the point where one could almost leave one's fingerprint on their surface." — Nomads of Gor, pages 83-84.
"… tall precious goblets filled with Turian wines…" — Nomads of Gor, page 253.
"… the Turians, on the whole, favor thick, sweet wines." — Nomads of Gor, page 275.
"I had had verr meat, cut in chunks and threaded on a metal rod, with slices of peppers and larma, and roasted; vulo stew with raisins, nuts, onions and honey; a Kort with melted cheese and nutmeg; hot Bazi tea, sugared, and, later, Turian wine." — Tribesmen of Gor, pages 47-48.
"One girl held our head back, and others, from goblets, gave us of wines, Turian wine, sweet and thick, Ta-wine, from the famed Ta grapes, from the terraces of Cos, wines even, Ka-la-nas, sweet and dry, from distant Ar." — Tribesmen of Gor, page 213.
Water
Obtained fresh from the river, lakes or ponds. In cities, water is obtained from central water fountains. In the jungles, water is obtained from certain plantlife.
"She then went to one of the large, wooden, covered water buckets, roped to the deck, and in it submerged a water-skin. I heard the bubbling as the skin filled… I noted the blondish girl, the water bag now, wet and heavy, over her shoulder, going to the men of the Forkbeard, to offer them drink." — Marauders of Gor, page 63.
"Water," I said.
He came to me, bent over, tattered, swarthy, grinning up at me, the verrskin bag over his shoulder, the brass cups, a dozen of them, attached to shoulder straps and his belt, rattling and clinking. His shoulder on the left was damp from the bag… One of the brass cups he unhooked from his belt. Without removing the bag from his shoulder, he filled the cup… The water flowed into the cup through a tiny vent-and-spigot device, which wastes little water, by reducing spillage, which was tied in and waxed into a hole left in the front left foreleg of the verr skin. The skins are carefully stripped and any rents in the skin are sewed up, the seams coated with wax. When the whole skin is thoroughly cleaned of filth and hair, straps are fastened to it so that it may be conveniently carried on the shoulder, or over the back, the same straps serving, with adjustment, for either mode of support. The cup was dirty. I took the water and gave the man a copper tarsk. — Tribesmen of Gor, page 36.
I finished the cup of water and handed the cup back to the water carrier. — Tribesmen of Gor, page 38.
NOTE:
I have often seen in many chat rooms, the mention of serving water obtained from the liana. Another case of misinformation that is prevalent in the virtual world. The liana is a vine plant of the jungles of the Ushindi, or "inland region." Being as this plant is only found in the jungles, it is impossible that a camp of the wagon peoples, or a city such as Ar or Turia, would obtain water in this way. Also, the amount of water extracted from the liana is very minimal, just enough to quench a thirst. The fan palm, also found in the jungles of the Ushindi, are an excellent source of water, often a liter of water can be extracted from one fan palm leaf. But again, since this tree is found only in the jungles, the mention of serving said palm water is ludicrous unless the chat room is roleplaying in the jungles.
White Wine
Light in color and taste, note that it is not referred to as Ka-la-na, but rather, simply as wine, thus showing us there are a variety of wines on Gor.
"In the hall was a open circle of small tables, at which a handful of guests, on cushions and mats, reclined. There were four men and two women at these tables, other than the Lady Florence, the hostess, and her guest of the past several days, the Lady Metpomene. The tables were covered with cloths of glistening white and a service of gold. Before each guest there were tiny slices of tospit and larma, small pastries, and in a tiny golden cup, with a small golden spoon, the clustered, black, tiny eggs of the white grunt. The first wine, a light white wine, was being deferentially served by Pamela and Bonnie." — Fighting Slave of Gor, pages 275-276.
"Wine, incidentally, is often mixed with water in Gorean homes. This is primarily because of the potency of many Gorean wines." — Guardsman of Gor, page 235.
Special Note
Because of the differences in publishing the books, depending upon whether published in the U.S. or Europe, depending upon whether a first publishing or a Masquerade Books release, page numbers will often vary. All of my quotes are from original, first-printing U.S. publications (see The Books page for a listing of publishers and dates) with the exception of the following books:
- Tarnsman of Gor (2nd Printing, Balantine)
- Outlaw of Gor (11th Printing, Balantine)
- Priest-Kings of Gor (2nd Printing, Balantine)
- Assassin of Gor (10th Printing, Balantine)
- Raiders of Gor (15th Printing, Balantine)
- Captive of Gor (3rd Printing, Balantine)
Disclaimer
These pages are not written for any specific home, but rather as informational pages for those not able to get ahold of the books and read them yourself. Opinions and commentaries are strictly my own personal views, therefore, if you don't like what you are reading — then don't. The information in these pages is realistic to what is found within the books. Many sites have added information, assuming the existences of certain products and practices, such as willowbark and agrimony for healing, and travel to earth and back for the collection of goods. I've explored the books, the flora, the fauna, and the beasts, and have compiled from those mentioned, the probabilities of certain practices, and what vegetation mentioned in the books is suitable for healing purposes, as well as given practicalities to other sorts of roleplaying assumptions.