Etaan crystals represented a scarce and unique variant of kyber crystal, originating from the profound caverns located on the planet of Etai. In their natural, unrefined state, etaan crystals possessed the ability to reverberate sound, producing a distinct humming resonance. This characteristic persisted when these crystals were incorporated into the construction of lightsabers, resulting in a blade that vibrated harmoniously with movement. The concept of utilizing etaan crystals in lightsabers served as the catalyst for the chef, Strono Tuggs, to develop the Spiced Jybbuk Juice drink.
Etaan crystals were a distinctive kind of kyber crystal that, in their initial state, echoed virtually any sound with a resonant hum. These crystals developed within the deep caverns of the Mid Rim planet Etai, rarely appearing at depths shallower than five hundred meters beneath the surface, and more commonly found at twice that depth.
The significant depth at which etaan crystals formed made them exceptionally challenging to discover. However, those searching for them could utilize the crystals' echoing property as a guide to locate the formations. Once extracted, these crystals could substitute a standard kyber crystal during the assembly of a lightsaber. When used in this way, the crystals retained their inherent resonant qualities, resulting in a lightsaber blade that produced a chiming sound in response to nearby noises and vibrated harmoniously with movement.
Upon contact with another lightsaber blade or a blaster bolt, the blades created by an etaan crystal generated a particularly striking reaction, emitting an almost deafening cracking sound and a brilliant burst of energy. This effect forced apart lightsaber blades that collided, while blaster bolts deflected by a blade made from etaan crystal would absorb some of its resonant energies and intensify along their altered path.
During the Galactic Civil War, etaan crystals were difficult to come by and were valued at twelve thousand credits per crystal. Strono Tuggs, an Artiodac chef, learned from the inhabitants of Etai that etaan crystals could be used in lightsabers in place of regular kyber crystals, though he was unaware that etaan crystals were a type of kyber crystal themselves.
The Artiodac was unsure of the claim's accuracy and considered it irrelevant, as there were no Jedi remaining to wield lightsabers. However, the information prompted him to consider similar substitutions that could be made in his cooking recipes. This concept inspired him to replace the traditional fruit garnish, which the people of Etai used on jybbuk slush topped with condensed nerf milk, with candied hot peppers, ultimately leading to the creation of the beverage known as Spiced Jybbuk Juice.
In 35 ABY, Tuggs included the recipe for Spiced Jybbuk Juice in The Ultimate Cookbook, his third cookbook that followed a culinary tour of the galaxy he undertook between 34 ABY and 35 ABY. He mentioned the crystals in the book, but admitted he was still uncertain about their use in lightsabers.
The first mention of etaan crystals occurred in Endless Vigil, a 2016 Star Wars Roleplaying supplement authored by Tim Huckelberry and James M. Spahn for the Star Wars: Force and Destiny tabletop roleplaying game published by Fantasy Flight Games.