348-316 Preparation and rest (2)

"...... Hmm?　Can't you do it?

I was under the impression that sake was made with koji.　That's what I thought.

"Nao-kun, do you know how to make sake?

"Well, ......, you make rice malt, add water, stir and leave it?

Yuki nodded her head in agreement, and Natsuki smiled.

I thought of it like that, too. Until Natsuki taught me.

You're not wrong in the big picture. But ......, well, let me simply explain how sake is made.

There are two main steps in sake making.

The first is to convert starch into sugar, and the second is to convert sugar into alcohol.

In the former process, koji mold is used, and in the latter process, a different type of yeast is used.

Yeast for alcoholic fermentation also exists in nature, and in the past, the fungus found in breweries was used for fermentation, but the taste was not stable and sometimes failed. So nowadays, I cultivate a specific yeast and use it.

The yeast is cultivated by mixing water, rice malt and steamed rice.

The yeast is then cultivated in the mother, which is then mixed with water, rice malt and steamed rice.

After that, you squeeze the unrefined sake, add water and heat it, and you've got sake.

So, it's quite complicated. I was thinking, 'Well, since we've made amazake, why not just let it sit? That's what I was thinking.

"Still, if you're lucky, it might turn into alcohol, but it's a big gamble. It can go bad.

It is said that making sake mash is also a way to create an acidic environment by letting lactic acid bacteria grow, which inhibits the development of other putrefactive bacteria.

Recently, it seems that lactic acid is added separately. ....... You can also add water or rice malt in several times to prevent the mixture from becoming too thin.

By the way, what about you, Natsuki?

We make it the old-fashioned way. The taste may vary, but it's not a product, it's a religious ceremony.

I see. ...... If you have koji mold, you can win!　But it wasn't that easy.

"The koji mold is definitely important, though. We can make miso and soy sauce without any problem.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a little nervous about this.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had a bad experience.

No, not yet.

No, we don't." "Are you sure?　Tonya's tone of voice sounds like it could be quite troublesome.

They're greedy about alcohol.

They are greedy when it comes to liquor, and if you call them up and tell them you can't do it, they're going to make a lot of noise.

In response to my concern, Haruka and the others shrugged their shoulders and simply shook their heads.

It's fine. To make sake, you need a brewery, and you need time to make it, right?

I don't think it's right for us to make all the arrangements.

Tommy and the others will have to do the hard work, too.

I'm not sure what to make of this.

No, I'm sure they're having a hard time.

If they hadn't, they wouldn't have had to use 'poison healing' or something.

Well, until you make a drink. "Well, just until we can make some booze. If we succeed, we can isolate the yeast from it. Right?

Yes. Then we can either keep making it with that yeast or try to isolate other yeasts.

It's up to those who like alcohol to do their best.

As for Haruka and the others, they don't seem to care that much about whether it tastes good or not, as long as they have cooking sake.

I want to drink more amazake!

I'd rather have that than sake too. ......

Well, amazake is so nutritious that it's been called an intravenous drip, so it might be a good idea to make some. It's a little late to prevent the summer heat.

Sweet things are so precious.

As we were talking, Toya, who had gone to Tommy's place, came back.

I don't know why, with a mushy Simon.

Well, ......, why Simon?

You need a brewery to make sake!　I've been waiting to hear when he's going to call me, but he never does!

My simple question was answered with a shout.

And well, when I went to Gantz-san, he told me to go to Simon-san first.

Next to Simon, who had his arms folded and a look of dissatisfaction on his face, Toya smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

Oh, by the way, you were talking about building a brewery in the corner of our garden.

Hmmm. Surely we should have prioritized the building of the building before worrying about the koji mold?

It would have taken a certain amount of time.

I'm sorry. I was busy with the dungeon. ....... So, when do you want to start working on it?

"Now!

Simon stomped his foot and announced.

"What?　You don't have to be in such a hurry.

You idiot!　It's a new drink!　Of course I'm in a hurry!　The boss is expecting it!

What?　No, why, the deputy is ......

The deputy of the town of Laffan.

His name is ...... Joseph Fader, I believe?

It's not an exaggeration to say that this town is built on furniture, and the furniture workshops are large in their own right.

Because of this, they have many opportunities to meet each other, and it seems that the topic of alcohol came up. .......

Simon, you need rice to make sake, what about there?　I don't think they make it around here.

I don't know anything about that. I don't know anything about that, it's their job to figure it out.　I mean, I'll have them order it!

"Yeah, .......

No, well, maybe that's true, but ...... is that okay?

I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'm a little nervous about the involvement of the shogun. .......

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.　I'm not sure what to do.

I'm not sure what to make of it.　Hurry up and show me!

"Okay, I understand.

We left the house as if we were being hounded, and Simon led us to the area to the left of the gate.

This area is unused and is now overgrown with plants and trees.

I don't know how big the brewery is going to be, but there is enough space to build a normal house, so it should be big enough.

How about it?　Around here.

"Hmm. Not bad. Yuki, and Nao can use earth magic, right?　Give me a hand.

What?　We?　We can help with the foundation, but we can't do any carpentry.

I don't expect you to do that!　We're building a basement.

Ha, ha. ......

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

In terms of size, it's about five meters by ten meters.

That's about the size of a small house, even a one-story one.

Since they were going to build a basement on top of it, the floor space would be quite large.

Good. Let's start digging down here.

Seeing Simon pointing at the ground, Haruka and the others looked at each other and opened their mouths, as if they understood that this would take some time.

Oh, well, I guess we'll be back. Good luck, Nao and Yuki.

Take a break when you get tired, okay?　I'll get you something.

Good luck, Nao.

Good luck, Yuki!

Good luck. I'll call you when I need your help.

Haruka and the others left with smiles and words of support.

Mary and the others, Toya, and Natsuki are fine with this, but...

"Oh, hey, Haruka...

Come on!　Get on with it!

I'm sure Haruka can help you with some earth magic, right?　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

And then Haruka fades out in the gap.

Oh no. How dare she abandon me, her lover!

I'll pull you out when my magic wears off!