Isekai Nonbiri Nouka

Chapter 850: Idle Talk, Artisan

Morning comes early for a tofu maker.

My workplace is located in the forest a short distance away from Big Tree Village.

There is a place where there is a spring that produces water and near the spring is where my hut, a dedicated hut for tofu making, is located.

This spring water is important.

Water is indispensable for making tofu.

-0-

I checked the soybeans that had been washed and soaked in the water the day before.

The soybeans are soaked enough so add a little more water and mash and mix it.

Mash and mix it thoroughly.

The mashing and mixing I’m doing right now will greatly affect the taste so I won’t cut corners.

Once I’m satisfied with the mashing and mixing, I just need to add more water and heat it until it boils.

Once it boils, reduce the heat and cook for a little while longer to make sure to not burn the mixture.

After that, squeeze the mixture into a bag before it loses its heat and divide it into okara(soybean dreg) and soy milk.

Soy milk is used for tofu.

When the soy milk begins to lose its heat, dissolve nigari in it and stir it in.

Nigari is something that comes from seawater salt.

I’m not sure about the principle but without nigari, the soy milk will not coagulate.

Discard clear liquid at the top of the nigari-infused soy milk and pour the portion that had sunk to the bottom into the tofu mold.

There are various ways to use this mold like using a colander or a cloth but I use a box lined with a cloth.

When it has been left to stand for a while, excess water will flow out and when that is done, a weight is placed on top to harden it.

After that, your tofu is done.

-0- I make around 50 to 100 pieces of tofu every morning.

This tofu is then transported to Big Tree Village, Village One, Village Two, Village Three, Village Four, and Village Five where it is consumed.

My mornings are early because I have to be ready in time for breakfast.

Tofu tastes the best when it is freshly made.

The rest of the tofu loses its flavor over time.

Therefore, a few centaurs come to the tofu hut at the time the tofu is ready.

They carry it to each village.

The skill of the centaurs in transporting the tofu without breaking them while running at high speed is simply amazing.

And it’s a pleasure to be in demand.

-0-

After I finish handing over the tofu, I wash the soybeans that will be used tomorrow.

It may look easy, but it is hard work.

However, I don’t cut corners.

If I cut corners, it won’t taste good.

No one might even notice if the tofu tastes a little less good.

However, for me, that’s unacceptable.

Thus, I will not cut corners.

I will continue to make tofu like this.

I am Raasa, a high elf.

I am a tofu maker.

-0-

—POV Change—

-0-

Mornings are slow for a jam maker.

I can even sleep until it is almost noon.

It’s wonderful if you think about it.

Ah, I’m not being lazy.

I have a reason.

The kitchen is unavailable.

My work is limited to the time between lunch and dinner.

My work begins with asking the oni maids to let me use the kitchen.

Once I’m in the kitchen, the rest is easy.

I’ll just have to put the ingredients for jam into a big pot that is specially designed for making jams.

This time, it’s strawberries.

It is fall and not the season for strawberries but I chose strawberries.

Simply because I want to eat them.

…..

Just kidding.

Village chief cultivated sour strawberries for jam during the summer.

-0-

Making jam is not difficult.

Just beat it, put sugar as much as the strawberries, put them in the big pot, and let it simmer.

You have to keep stirring though to prevent it from burning but as long as you are not careless, nothing will go wrong.

It’s very easy.

However, there’s one thing I have to be careful of.

It’s not the temperature.

Also, it’s true that the jam will be hot while cooking it and anyone who sees the jam boiling will notice it’s dangerous.

That means I don’t need to bother warning others about it.

What I have to be careful of is the smell.

Making jam gives off a very strong sweet smell.

So what?

The fairy queen and the fairies will be lured by it.

They won’t immediately come close to taste the jam.

They will wait until the jam is ready for consumption.

That is why it is troublesome.

After the jam is cooked, it is hard to say no when they ask to taste it.

However, I must steel myself to refuse.

I mustn’t agree with them no matter what.

Why?

There was a time when I gave in to them and let them taste it. Then, they kept asking for more and more until they consumed everything.

This time, too, the fairy queen and the fairies are waiting for it but I will just continue to work without worrying about them.

When the jam is cooked, I will remove the pot from the fire.

Put the jam into jars or bottles, but before that, I must soak them first in boiling water.

That is to prevent the jam from spoiling.

I put the jars and bottles in a pot full of boiling water until they submerged…..or not.

If I put the jars and bottles in boiling water suddenly, they will break.

Therefore, before submerging the jars and bottles, I poured warm water into the jars first to make them absorb heat.

This is something I often forget to do but something I mustn’t skip.

If I break the jars or bottles, the oni maids will glare at me.

-0-

After heating the jars and bottles, let nature take its course and let the heat dissipate.

If you cool them down too quickly with magic, they may break.

When the jars and bottles are ready, pour in the jam that has cooled down a little.

At this point, the fairy queen’s party started to make a fuss so I allowed them to lick the jam left on the pot.

I hear that freshly made warm jam is very special.

The fairy queen’s party crowded around the pot.

It delays the washing of the pot but it can’t be helped.

I give up thinking that it is necessary to protect the finished jam.

-0-

All the finished jam is given to the oni maids.

I’m not even considering taking my personal share or a share of someone else.

I give them all.

That is the best way to avoid a fight.

I’m not just speaking for myself but the jam I make is considerably popular.

Strawberry, apple, and blueberry jams are especially popular among children.

As for some unusual jams……the likes and dislikes depend on one’s own preference.

I want them all to love all jams but even I have jam flavors I don’t like.

So, I think you should eat the jam you like.

If you don’t like it, give it to someone who does.

-0-

My name is……don’t mind it.

I’m an angel jam maker who wonders why jam made with citrus is called marmalade.

While eating dinner, I’m already thinking about what kind of jam I will make tomorrow.

-0-

Angel A: Isn’t the jam maker working too short hours?

Angel B: I know right.

Civil Servant Girl: However, you must admit that she’s a very good jam maker.