Harvest Moon is the one series I don't mind looking up a FAQ before I even open the packaging. It's a type of game that requires long-term planning, so right away I need to know whom I'm going to marry, what crops and animals I should prioritize, and what steps I need to take to unlock events. This is without a doubt the best FAQ site for Harvest Moon games, hosted by a rabid fan named Cherubae. And this is the banner she chose for the Tale of Two Towns guide:

I would first like to say that "cooking with cow seed" is not some random nonsense that came out of my mouth like usual. This is an actual thing. I have not made this up. Secondly, "Ushi no Tane" is the name of site in general (Tale of Two Towns is the 10th game in the series) and Devin himself has assured me that it means "cow seed." I did some poking around and found this on her contact page: "The term 'Ushi No Tane' (牛の種) is the name given to the Cow Miracle Potion in the Japanese version of Harvest Moon."

The Cow Miracle Potion in the American version is what's necessary to get a cow pregnant. I vaguely recall when I first started playing this series writing a xanga post about how hilarious I found this because you literally sprayed the cow with it. It's fucking semen. I was joking around about this with Devin, but I didn't really think in my heart of hearts we'd be talking about bovine semen. What the fuck cooking is being done? What the fuck am I adding when I do cooking? THERE'S LIKE FOUR COOKING CONTESTS A MONTH IN THIS GAME. WHAT AM I SERVING PEOPLE?!