Alkahest is a semi-rare, anomalous liquid substance native to BLACKSPACE, primarily utilized in the processing and consumption of Blackstone-derived matter for alimentary purposes.
Physical Characteristics
Alkahest manifests as a colourless, faintly opalescent liquid. It is typically found in pools, deposits, or seepage veins throughout BLACKSPACE. The mechanism of its formation remains unknown; it is not reproducible under controlled conditions, and no known transformation process from Blackstone to Alkahest has been observed or documented.
Primary Use
Alkahest’s foremost application lies in its unique biochemical interaction with shifted-Blackstone matter, specifically organic-like substances derived from Blackstone that are otherwise inert, indigestible, or fatally toxic to REALSPACE-based lifeforms.
When combined with shifted-Blackstone compounds resembling organic tissue and select non-BLACKSPACE enzymes, acids, or microbiota cultures, Alkahest catalyses a reaction rendering the material biocompatible and fully consumable by non-Blackstone organisms. The resulting substance mirrors traditional organic matter down to molecular breakdown and nutrient uptake. Without Alkahest, consumption of Blackstone matter is impossible; the material is impenetrable to mastication and, if bypassed via alternative means, results in immediate systemic failure and death.
Consumption Risks
Although Alkahest effectively renders Blackstone food safe, long-term consumption introduces incremental integration of Blackstone-derived base elements into the host organism. These trace Blackstone deposits, while non-reactive in the short term, accumulate within cellular structures and may modify biological systems over extended periods. Theoretical models predict biological adaptation thresholds becoming observable only after approximately 200 years of uninterrupted intake. No adverse effects have been confirmed within current population cohorts.
Culinary Applications
Alkahest is either combined during preparation to ensure chemical viability of food, or drizzled or sprayed onto completed dishes.