BXBX NOVEL Chapter 337 Matcha Latte
Eli looked at the big chef and then at Anderson, unsure of how to react.
"Greetings Mr. Nouvelle, we are honored to be the first ones to try your new creation!" Anderson shot a glance at Eli and replied to the pastry chef.
Eli immediately understood Anderson's signal and also gave a nod. It must be some kind of a rule to the members not to reject Mr. Nouvelle's request to try a new creation.
"Good! Good!" Mr. Nouvelle let out a hearty laugh before slamming the door again to enter the kitchen, leaving the assistant, Eli, and Anderson speechless.
"I'll take you to your seat…" The assistant led them to a comfortable table near the window, which has the best view of the cafe.
"By the way, I'll get a dozen of those madeleines and the strawberry shortcake?" Eli told the assistant as she went back to her post.
"Gladly my lady!" The storekeeper politely smiled as she went on her way.
"Milady, you must have been startled. I apologize for there would be no way that we could peacefully reject Mr. Nouvelle's request…" Anderson smiled embarrassedly. He knew that Eli was in a rush and yet who would have known that they would be delayed like this.
"Is he a difficult person?" Eli asked calmly.
"Ah, far from being negatively difficult. I'd rather say that he is a little bit too passionate to the point that he would try to persuade you until you would end up testing his cooking." Anderson let out a sigh as he explained.
"I see… so instead of declining and being repeatedly harassed, we can just opt to accept and get over it…" Eli sported a look of understanding. "Too bad… I had just finished dessert… I do not think I could take another."
Shortly after, Mr. Nouvelle went out to the kitchen again and
"Thank you for waiting~~~" Mr. Nouvelle smilingly walked over with a tray in his hands. As he happily served the two slices of cake to Eli and Anderson's table.
Two neatly sliced cakes with a brownish buttercream frosting. The layered sponge cakes had a hint of brown and it was a little bit more moister than a regular sponge cake.
"Please feel free to share your thoughts about my new creation…do not feel burdened. I am still in the process of perfecting this new recipe!" Mr. Nouvelle stood on the side with anticipation as he watched Eli and Anderson evaluate the cakes he served.
"Is it coffee?" Eli raised her brows in curiosity, but mocha cakes and tiramisu were already existing in this world, so that would not make sense to call them new.
"See for yourself, young lady~~" Mr. Nouvelle's eyes brightened and with his tall body, he smiled as he answered Eli mysteriously.
Eli then took a bite of the cake and Anderson also followed.
"It's tea!" Anderson was shocked the moment his taste buds recognized the flavors in the cake.
"Yes! I was trying to experiment if tea could be a good flavor for desserts. Although I have tried several times already… this is the closest that I came up with that could barely pass to my taste." Mr. Nouvelle took off his hat and sighed. It seemed like he was a little disappointed with researching the new flavor, he sported a sad expression.
He looked at the two nervously and asked, "So what do you think?
"Erm… it does not actually taste bad. Incorporating black tea in the cake might appeal to a certain group of people… but I am not sure for others." Anderson objectively gave his opinion. "Also the texture is a little bit too bizarre for a noble's tongue… it was as if I was eating a bread pudding soaked in sweet black tea…"
"Sigh… so it is still the texture… Aiyooo…" Mr. Nouvelle sighed as he looked dejected, "I am already running out of ideas…actually…"
Eli could see that the gigantic pastry chef drooped his shoulders in sadness as he continued to lament. Anderson gave a few tips based on his knowledge of pastries and baking, however, Mr. Nouvelle had tried it all.
From their conversation, Eli understood why Anderson was able to become a member of the shop. His knowledge of pastry and cakes was as strong as a professional. They even talked down to the specifics such as measurements of the ingredients and the proper ratio.
However, even with the short exchange, nothing good came out of it and Mr. Nouvelle's expression saddened even more.
"Why not use black tea… instead, use a particular tea powder called matcha..." Eli interjected for she knew that matcha-flavored desserts are a bit popular in the modern world and so she was sure that it would work with Mr. Nouvelle's tea-themed desserts.
"M-matcha? You mean that seaweedy green powder that was loved by those from the east?" Mr. Nouvelle looked at Eli in interest.
"Indeed, if you use it well it would give a stronger tea flavor without messing up the texture of the sponge cake. For bolder drinkers, you can serve them a matcha latte or a matcha-coffee fusion drink." Eli replied.
"Milady… are you sure with this? Have you tried drinking it? To be honest, that powdered tea was a little bit too strong for me…I myself was a bit intimidated…" Anderson worriedly asked Eli.
In this world, just like rice, matcha was also discovered in some parts of Prasinos and so, for enthusiasts like Anderson, this was something they explored but not really embraced yet.
"Yes, I actually liked it, it can even give more benefits than the regular black tea…" Eli replied vaguely. She did not want to come out to be too knowledgeable in the area so she opted to answer simply.
"If you like, I can demonstrate how to prepare it for new drinkers, then see for yourself if this route has potential… only if you have the matcha powder though…" Eli suggested.
"I do have… It was gifted to me by a merchant in the east. It even came with a ceremonial tea set… Ah, one moment." Mr. Nouvelle signaled the storekeeper to fetch the green tea.
"While you are at it…could you get me the following…" Eli also asked the storekeeper for some ingredients for the tea tasting ceremony.
Soon all of the ingredients are already prepared, the table was also cleared out, and joining them was Mr. Nouvelle.
"Alright, now I'll prepare the matcha first in the traditional way. I'll let you have the taste of it in its most natural forms before I introduce some variations." Eli started to take the matcha bowl and the bamboo whisk that has been cleaned and immediately prepared the matcha. At this moment she was glad that she idly watched some tea ceremony on TheyTube in the modern world.
"Here.." Eli immediately served the freshly prepared matcha, on top of a frothy foam layer that was formed by the bamboo whisk.
"Huhhhh… really strong…" Anderson commented.
"Yes… such a bold flavor, I can't believe that this product was derived from the same plant." Mr. Nouvelle added.
"Well, that is how it was prepared by the east, especially when they partake it in a tea ceremony. The next variation was the way I like it. I hope it suits your taste." Eli then prepared the next one. It was pretty simple, with warm milk she placed a controlled portion of matcha and served it to the two men.
"This! Really good!" Mr. Nouvelle exclaimed.
"This would be a little more appealing to the majority!" Anderson also commented with amazement.
"Now you can put a little bit of honey or sugar to sweeten it…" Eli then pushed them the sugar and honey.
"Oh, my heavens! If this is how it would turn out in a dessert, then it would be a new flavor that could be enjoyed both by the bolder ones and the newbies!" Mr. Nouvelle was extremely excited as he drank the matcha latte.
He then looked at Eli gratefully and said, "Ah.. milady.. Thank you for giving me inspiration!! In return, I'll make your membership free in your next renewal.."
"Ah… no need Mr. Nouvelle. In fact, I was just brought here by Sir Anderson and was not really a bonafide member." Eli politely turned down Mr. Nouvelle's offer for she thought that it was not something for her to claim credit with.
She was sure that there were already some people in Prasinos who thought how she did. If Mr. Nouvelle would be given a little more time, he may even discover this himself.
"That's no problem then! I'll give you the membership now!!!" Mr. Nouvelle's 'passionate and persuasive' attitude swept Eli's feet away.
In the end, the two walked out of the shop with a bunch of take-out desserts given free of change and a membership for Eli.
Finally parting ways, Eli bowed to Anderson and gratefully thanked him, "Sir Anderson, I really thank you for today, I discovered a great shop and even met a good person. Thank you for escorting me all the way here as well."
"Ah… don't mention it. I wish you well on your way!" Anderson also bowed as he assisted Eli board the carriage.
'It was a good encounter…' Anderson looked at Eli's carriage running steadily, a sweet smile appeared on his face without him knowing.