Chapter 791 - Minute Difference (2/2)

The thread did not immediately dissolve upon entering his mouth due to the layer of lard wrapped around it. Rather, the aroma of the lard started spreading in his mouth before a gentle flavor of wheat started appearing.

This reminded him of his childhood. Back then, he did not get to eat much meat and when he finally had the chance to eat a bowl of rice mixed with lard, the pleasant aroma of the lard would spread in his mouth. This was exactly the sensation he was feeling currently.

“Wu, when chewed upon, it is sweet and has the unique flavor of lard attached to it. Even so, the odor of meat is nowhere to be found. Rather, it gives off a gentle feeling. Delicious, really delicious.”

“This is an exceptionally good snack,” Ji Yi was extremely satisfied.

Ji Yi rained praises on the dish while eating. The taste was exceptional and it was finally proven that Liu Zhang was not playing a trick on him by bringing him here.

It was quite unexpected that Yuan Zhou who made his name from Steamed Rice Served With Japanese Grenadier Anchovies could actually prepare a dish like this as well.

Both Yuan Zhou’s grasp over the strength exerted during the kneading and the grasp over the fermentation period was perfect with zero mistakes.

“Apart from me, someone else is actually capable of making a Thousand Thread Mantou like this as well,” Ji Yi stared at how young Yuan Zhou was, feeling like it was time to be replaced by the young. Ji Yi’s hand started itching for a challenge.

But…

He set his chopsticks down and paused for a bit.

“This Thousand Thread Mantou is still not better than mine. I can only consider them equal.” Ji Yi was still confident in his Mantou. His evaluation was given fairly.

The two Mantous were equal.

Liu Zhang was not one to speak for no reason. Since he had claimed that the Mantou here surpassed his Mantou, there must be a reason for it.

“There is still a slight difference. Try eating again,” Liu Zhang said.

“Oh?”

Was there any flavor that he had missed? Ji Yi did not argue and started eating again. This time, he chewed slowly and was more meticulous on tasting the Mantou, as if he was going to uncover every flavor hidden within it.

Although Ji Yi was old in age, his taste buds were still in pristine condition. With a few bites, he managed to sense something. His expression shifted, turning more and more solemn.

After he finished the Mantou, the nerves on his face were already visible.

“Boss Yuan, a moment of your time, please,” Ji Yi suddenly raised his head and said to Yuan Zhou.

“Um?” Yuan Zhou merely glanced over instead of walking over. After all, there were other customers waiting for their food.

“No sugar. You did not add any sugar to your Thousand Thread Mantou, right?” Ji Yi asked, his tone solemn.

“Yes,” Yuan Zhou nodded. Someone was actually able to figure this out.

No matter what type of sugar one used, there would be a sugary taste to it. For most people, a sugary taste was simply a sweet taste. However, the flavor on this Thousand Thread Mantou was a type of sweetness that was unlike the sugary type of sweetness. Rather, it was a natural type of sweetness.

Although Ji Yi had already figured it out, when Yuan Zhou finally admitted to it, he was still incredulous.

“Impossible. That is impossible.”

“Honey? Or something else?”

“No, none of them can give off that natural type of sweetness.”

“This feels like the flour’s own natural sweetness.”

“Illogical. This is too illogical.”

Ji Yi seemed to have gone crazy as he started talking to himself. He had also done extensive research on the Thousand Thread Mantou before. He had never been able to discover a better method of making it. Numerous ingredients appeared in his mind, yet he was unable to identify the ingredient capable of giving off the natural sweetness he tasted from the Mantou.

What was going on?