PFC Chapter 253: The First Cup of Milk Tea in Autumn (1)
Chapter 253: The First Cup of Milk Tea in Autumn (1)
"Children, if you want to taste the sweet and delicious pearl milk tea with endless aftertaste, don't be impatient! Before we officially brew the milk tea, we still have a very important task to complete - that is to make those crystal clear, chewy and smooth pearls by ourselves!" My voice was gentle and kind, as if it could convey this sweetness directly into every child's heart.
At this moment, Abel, who was always calm, raised his hand, blinked his big eyes and asked: "Teacher, shouldn't pearls be a kind of beautiful jewelry? Can this kind of pearls be eaten?" Seeing that Abel, who was always calm, could also look so cute, the other children burst into laughter.
I smiled and touched Abel's little head, and patiently explained: "Baby, the pearls in milk tea are not real jewels! The reason why it is called pearls is just because it looks round and beautiful like pearls. But in fact, this is an ingredient specially used to add taste and fun to our milk tea, so you can eat it with confidence!" After hearing what I said, the children showed expressions of sudden enlightenment.
At that moment, when Abel heard me affectionately call him "baby," his fair little face instantly flushed like a ripe apple. He grumbled with a hint of shyness and dissatisfaction, "Teacher Sui Sui, I'm already a grown-up, why do you still call me baby like a baby? And... and you keep patting my head!" Seeing Abel's adorable yet embarrassed expression, I couldn't help but smile. I gently stroked his soft hair again and said to them with a smile, "Children, in the eyes of the teachers, each of you is the most precious treasure! Not only does Teacher Sui Sui think so, but even Teacher Luota, Teacher Lei, and all the other teachers treat you like their dearest treasures!" As soon as I finished speaking, every child's face bloomed with smiles as bright and sweet as spring flowers. They all turned to look at Teacher Luota, as if seeking further confirmation. When they saw Teacher Lotta nodding in agreement with a smile, the little ones were so happy that they started dancing and their laughter echoed throughout the small kitchen, as if it was going to blow the roof off.
Next, I rolled up my sleeves, walked to the stove, and picked up a large pot. Carefully, I added the appropriate amount of water and brown sugar. Then, I gently turned on the flame, lowered the heat to low, and let it simmer. As time passed, the water in the pot gradually became steaming hot, and the brown sugar gradually melted under the heat, until the entire surface of the water was a light reddish-brown. As the syrup was about to boil, I turned to the children and, with an encouraging look, urged them to observe this miraculous transformation carefully.
First, we need to carefully mix the tapioca starch! Then, once the sweet, delicious brown sugar water is boiling, quickly and without hesitation, pour it into the tapioca starch! At this point, quickly pick up your chopsticks and stir quickly until everything becomes a sticky paste!
Next, we'll knead the dough vigorously until it's firmly united into a large ball. Then, we'll divide the large ball into smaller portions and slowly and carefully roll them into tiny, dainty pearl balls. Don't forget to gently roll these adorable little pearls in tapioca starch to prevent them from sticking together!
Okay, now it's time to get your pot ready! Pour an appropriate amount of water into the pot, turn on the heat, and let the water simmer. Once the water boils, carefully add the pearls, stirring them constantly with a spoon or spatula to ensure they're evenly cooked through. Then, quickly cover the pot and let the pearls continue to enjoy their warm, steaming experience for about 10 minutes. Finally, turn off the heat, but don't remove the lid just yet. Let the pearls simmer quietly in the pot for another 10 minutes. Then, your delicious pearls are done!
"Children, have you seen the steps clearly?" the teacher asked with a smile. All the children were very excited and eager to try, and couldn't wait to show off their skills!
The children shouted in unison, "Look!" and quickly divided into groups to get to work. But something unexpected happened during the process. Abel's group, responsible for boiling the pearls, turned the heat too high, causing the pot to overflow. Abel panicked, and the children next to him were stunned. I quickly ran over, turned down the heat, and reassured them, "It's okay! It's normal for first-timers to make mistakes. Just make some adjustments." After the adjustments, everything went smoothly. The younger children diligently rolled the pearls. Despite their varying sizes and shapes, each one was a testament to their hard work. Finally, all the groups had completed their pearls.
Next came the crucial step of brewing the milk tea! With deft movements, I retrieved the shiny pot from the cupboard and gently placed it on the stove. Then, I reached out and gently turned the knob, turning on the low heat. The flames danced like spirits, licking the bottom of the pot.
Next, I opened the can of tea leaves, scooped out a handful, and slowly sprinkled them into the pot. With a gentle rustling sound, the tea leaves fell like green snowflakes. With a spatula in hand, I began to stir the leaves, stirring them evenly. After about two minutes, a faint fragrance gradually emanated from the tea leaves. I quickly added an appropriate amount of sugar to the pot and continued to stir-fry along with the tea leaves.
Over time, the sugar gradually melts and blends with the tea leaves. The dry tea leaves and granulated sugar gradually blend together to form a thick, brown mixture. This wonderful transformation is eye-opening, as if witnessing the birth of magic.
Just then, I picked up the milk carton nearby and carefully poured it into the pot. Instantly, the white milk cascaded down like a waterfall, colliding violently with the brown mixture of tea leaves and sugar. With a crackling sound, the aroma of milk and tea instantly spread, rising like wisps of smoke and lingering throughout the kitchen. This rich fragrance, like an invisible hand, gently caressed everyone's nose, intoxicating them.
The children smelled the tempting aroma and cheered excitedly. Their laughter was as clear and sweet as silver bells, echoing in the small kitchen.
After the tea leaves have swirled in the milk for a moment, I retrieve a delicate strainer and place it over an empty bowl. Then, carefully lifting the pot, I slowly filter the liquid through the strainer into the bowl. The finely chopped tea leaves are trapped by the strainer, leaving behind a cup of fragrant, smooth milk tea.
Finally, I fished out the cooked pearls from the pot next to me and put them one by one into the cup of milk tea. Watching the crystal clear pearls sinking and floating in the milk tea, they looked like twinkling stars in the night sky, which was really beautiful.