Chapter 1199: Chapter 1201 No Talent_1
Fortunately, the folks at the Jiang Family were truly honest. Upon hearing that she wanted to learn brewing, they did not suspect her of having ulterior motives; and not only that, they even sent over a master brewer with exceptional skills.
"Madam, I think this wine can do without sugar," came a pleasant female voice, something no one would expect to find at Jiang Family’s distillery—a female master brewer, and one with great skills at that.
"You handle it, since the several jars I tried to make were all failures, wasting so many persimmons. This jar was the very first one I made, and it tastes truly terrible." The first thing they tried to brew was persimmon wine, but now one couldn’t even call it persimmon wine—it was clearly more like sour plum juice, sour, far too sour, and with a very strange flavor!
In theory, since they had chosen sweet persimmons, even if the fermentation time was a bit short, just half a month, it shouldn’t be so sour, nor was it clear where the problem arose.
"These persimmons are naturally sweet. If too much sugar is added, it might lead to a case of too much of a good thing, with the sweetness turning sour. Look at this second jar, where I added less granulated sugar—the sourness is somewhat reduced." The brewer from the Jiang Family, Ms. Qu by name, a widow with a son and a daughter who, in the water disaster of previous years, were swept away. Now, the only one left was Ms. Qu, who had learned some brewing from her mother-in-law before, and later joined the distillery at the Jiang Family.
When the Jiang Family heard that the Madam of the County Magistrate wanted to learn about brewing, they sent Ms. Qu over.
"You do have a point," Yang Chuxia considered it and indeed there was such a possibility, "Ms. Qu, I’m not going to inquire or try learning about fruit wine brewing anymore. I don’t have the talent for it and shouldn’t waste the fruit. I’ll leave the matter entirely up to you; I trust you. Also, remember what I said, that not only persimmons can be used for fruit wine, but pomegranates can too, as well as apples, peaches, and pears. However, those three fruits may be hard to find this season, but pomegranates are still available. I’ve already had some crates brought in, you might want to give them a try."
"If the madam trusts me, I will do my utmost to produce the fruit wine," Ms. Qu actually had some ideas already. The previous batches, probably failed because their proportions of ingredients were not quite right. She needed to recalibrate the mixture.
However, as some suggestions came from the Madam of County Magistrate herself, it was not easy for her to voice her own opinions.
Yang Chuxia also figured that her involvement might be causing Ms. Qu to hold back and, after thinking it over, she simply left it all in Ms. Qu’s hands. Her initial desire to learn was out of mere curiosity, and since she couldn’t master it, she shouldn’t interfere with the serious business.
"Having to teach me while you work on your research certainly can distract you. From now on, you can focus on this task," she said.
"Madam, I, I... It’s not that I don’t want to teach you..."
"There’s no need to explain, Ms. Qu, I understand. When a person is concentrating on something, the presence of another can indeed be a distraction. Plus, I know you were serious about teaching me. It’s just that some people lack the gift, while others grasp it instantly. I am definitely the former, so don’t overthink it! If you need anything during the process, come directly to me, and I’ll procure it for you."
Yang Chuxia thought to herself that if it had been martial arts she was learning, she probably would have caught on quickly. As for other matters, it depended on what they were; after all, no one is omnipotent.
"Yes!"
Seeing that Yang Chuxia was genuinely not displeased, Ms. Qu took her leave and immediately dove into her work in the brewing room upon returning.
"Madam, the young master asks for your presence!"