Java newsletter3

What is USA Ark of Taste?

Saving Cherished Foods, One Product at a Time- The USA Ark of Taste is a catalog of over 200 delicious foods in danger of extinction. By promoting and eating Ark products we help ensure they remain in production and on our plates.

Describing and Promoting Forgotten FlavorsThe Ark is an international catalog of foods that are threatened by industrial standardization, the regulations of large-scale distribution and environmental damage. In an effort to cultivate consumer demand—key to agricultural conservation—only the best tasting endangered foods make it onto the Ark. Since 1996, more than 800 products from over 50 countries have been added to the international Ark of Taste.

The US Ark of Taste profiles over 200 rare regional foods, and is a tool that helps farmers, ranchers, fishers, chefs, retail grocers, educators and consumers celebrate our country's diverse biological, cultural and culinary heritage. You can also find farmers on local harvest offering their Slow food Ark of taste products.

Another reason to love the JavaSo, because this wonderful dual purpose heritage breed is all it's cracked up to be, it is gaining popularity again. There are many people, clubs and programs that have been involved in it's resurgance. Educating the people about the importance of the Javas conservation is helping. We are still not out of the woods yet, but we are getting there. I encourage you to check out our website where you can find out all about the Java breed, including where you can get your own Javas and how to help promote them. Also, check out Slow food USA-Ark of taste and help conserve something that is worth conserving! And thank you to all who are doing your part to educate and conserve. ~Tacey Perkins V.P. Java Breeders of America Here is what Slow Food USA had to say about the Java...

Ark of Taste - Java Chicken The Java is considered the second oldest breed of chicken developed in America. Its ancestors were reputed to have come from the Far East, possibly from the isle of Java. Sources differ on the time of origin of the Java. But they were known to be in existence in America sometime between 1835 and 1850. They did not reach Britain until 1885, and this is important as those that claim they originated in pure form directly from the island of Java cite England as their source of stock (from Java by way of England). It is possible 1835 may even be late in the development of this breed.

The Java is a premiere homesteading fowl, having the ability to do well when given free-range. While slower in rate of growth when compared to some more modern breeds, the Java was noted for the production of meat during the mid 1800s. The Plymouth Rock and Jersey Giant breeds owe much to the Java, as the Java was used in the creation of both of these breeds, which later replaced it.

Javas come in three varieties: Black, Mottled and White. The Black Java is noted for the beetle-green sheen of its feathers, a green sheen more brilliant than any other black fowl except the Langshan (speaking in terms of English and American experiences). The Blacks further have very dark eye color, being dark brown or even nearly black. Black Javas have black legs with yellow soles on their feet. Mottled Javas should have very intense red eye color and their feathering is black with splashes, or mottles, of white. The legs of the Mottled Java should be a broken leaden-blue with yellow soles. White Javas have yellow leg color. The White Java was admitted to the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection but was removed prior to 1910 as it was felt that it and White Plymouth Rock were too similar. All Javas have yellow skin and lay brown eggs.

The body type is one of the most distinguishing features of Java's. They have a rectangular shape, much like the Rhode Island Red, but with a sloping back line. Their backs are supposed to be long; in fact they should be the longest in the American Class. And they have a full, well-rounded breast. Originally this breed, like the Buckeye and the Rhode Island, had tight feathers.

Another distinguishing feature, the single comb on all Java's should not show a point too far forward on the comb (the first point should be above the eye, not above the nostril). While this last point is of no economic value, it may be of value in terms of identifying purity of the stock. This point also indicates a single combed bird that was produced from pea-combed ancestors.

Sources - American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, www.albc-usa.org.

American Poultry Associationhttp://www.amerpoultryassn.com Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities - http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/SPPA/SPPA.html