mtl008 Chapter 242 Eager to Try the Dishes
Chapter 242 Eager to Try the Dishes
Besides high-end tea, his tea plantation also produces mid- to low-end tea.
However, he was afraid that mid-range and low-grade tea would affect the market for his high-grade tea, so for a long time, he sold mid-range and low-grade tea to merchants as mixed tea.
If he opens this tea shop, he will have a market for his mid-range and low-end teas.
In addition to dishes made with tea leaves, tea shops also serve tea, which can be made with their mid-range and high-end teas.
Although the shop hasn't opened yet, with Baishi Tea House and Baishi Hot Pot Shop already established, this tea shop is sure to do well.
His tea now has an additional sales channel...
Nobody knows that his biggest pain right now is the lack of new sales channels.
Now, isn't that the solution?
Rong Yan'er came today to submit the second revised version of the plan, which was much better than the first one, but some details were still missing.
So Tian Tian picked up the plan on the table and handed it back to her, saying, "Go back and revise it again."
Rong Yan'er nodded.
After she finished revising it for the first time and looked at it carefully, she thought she had written it exceptionally well and that it was already perfect.
As a result, after being reminded by Miss Tian, it was discovered that there were still many things that could be added.
"Then I'll take my leave first."
As soon as Rong Yan'er left, Shen Zhian immediately put his plan on the table, saying, "Girl, what... this plan you wrote is too good."
"When will we open the shop?"
“I have already ordered people to empty out my best shops in several locations in Xiushui County.”
"How about we go and choose a suitable shop now?"
"Once you've chosen a shop, I'll immediately arrange for it to be renovated so you can open for business anytime."
Seeing his impatient look, Tian Tian knew that he was very satisfied with his plan.
"I hope you're satisfied with my proposal, Uncle Shen."
"Satisfied, satisfied! Extremely satisfied!!" Shen Zhian nodded emphatically.
“Uncle Shen, don’t rush.” Tian Tian gestured for him to sit down. “Before we open the shop, we need to discuss the details.”
The so-called details refer to the way cooperation is carried out and the way profits are shared.
Her plan was very comprehensive, but she didn't make these two points clear.
These two items... require an in-person meeting.
"Go ahead," Shen Zhian said, sitting down as if he would listen to her in everything.
Tian Tian expressed her thoughts, "It's about the way we cooperate."
“You provide the shop, I provide the recipe, and we will each contribute one thousand taels of silver as start-up capital for the shop.”
"The tea... will be purchased from your tea plantation, and you need to offer a cooperative price."
As for the profit sharing...
"Fifty-five."
Tian Tian observed Shen Zhian's expression.
A 50/50 split isn't unreasonable, but whether Shen Zhian will supply tea at a low price... that depends on his decision.
"No problem." Shen Zhian agreed almost without thinking.
Those mid- to low-grade teas are only considered mid- to low-grade within his tea plantation, but when compared to other teas, they can be considered mid- to high-grade.
These tea leaves are sufficient for making tea-based snacks.
From this perspective, he was simply making use of something that was previously useless; instead of losing anything, he was able to turn it into money for circulation.
"When are we going to choose a shop?" Shen Zhian was genuinely anxious.
Besides wanting to open the shop as soon as possible, there was another reason.
He couldn't wait to try the tea snacks in the plan.
Just imagining it made him think these tea snacks... must be quite delicious.
"Since we're in Songxi County, why not try the new dishes at my shop?" Tian Tian said, adding that they would have to wait two more days, "until Rong Yan'er revised the plan, before heading to Xiushui County."
Shen Zhian, however, offered a different idea: "How about we try the tea snacks in the plan?"
He really wanted to try the tea snacks in the plan.
"I brought some tea." Shen Zhian took out a box of tea.
“That’s fine then… I’ll make some preparations, and we’ll have a tasting tomorrow night. I’d like to invite Mr. Rong and Miss Rong to come along.” Tian Tian agreed.
"it is good."
The tasting was held at the Fulai Restaurant in Songxi County on the evening of the second day.
One after another, tea snacks were served on the table...
Tea-scented shrimp: Shrimp are coated in a batter made of egg white and cornstarch, then stir-fried until cooked. Tea leaves and tea juice are added, along with cooking wine, salt, and MSG. The dish is then tossed and stir-fried briefly.
For tea-scented spare ribs, wash and drain the spare ribs, blanch them, and drain again. Heat oil in a pot, add scallions and ginger to sauté until fragrant, then add the spare ribs and stir-fry. Add water to cover the spare ribs by one to two centimeters. After the water boils, add a tea bag of spices and simmer until the broth thickens.
For tea-scented tofu, slice the tofu and pan-fry until golden brown on both sides. Then, stir-fry carrot slices, shiitake mushroom slices, and other side dishes. Put the tofu back into the pan, add seasonings and tea sauce, and finally thicken with cornstarch slurry.
Tea eggs are made by boiling eggs, cracking the shells, and then simmering them with tea leaves and spices.
Tea-scented glutinous rice balls are made by mixing tea powder with glutinous rice flour, adding water to form a dough, and then shaping it into small glutinous rice balls. Tian Tian also added black sesame filling to some of the glutinous rice balls.
Tea shortbread is also made by grinding tea leaves into powder, mixing them with flour, and baking it in an oven.
To make stir-fried eggs with tea leaves, steep and chop the tea leaves, mix them with beaten eggs, add seasonings, pour oil into a pan, heat the oil, pour in the egg mixture, and stir-fry over low heat until cooked.
Tea-braised pork, tea-braised chicken, tea-braised duck.
There's also tea rice, tea porridge...
"It smells so good." Empress Li sniffed it gently.
The table was laden with dishes, all beautifully presented and deliciously presented, with the aroma of tea filling the air.
Moreover, Tian Tian personally arranged the plates, making each plate look like a work of art.
"The plates are arranged beautifully..." Shen Zhian exclaimed. He had only seen the pictures in the project proposal, but now that he saw the actual product, he was surprised to find that it was even more beautiful.
"Everyone, stop looking and try the food!" Tian Tian urged.
Empress Li first picked up a tea-flavored pastry. The pastry was crisp and delicious, and the sound of it crackling echoed when she took a bite.
Qian Fulai's first bite was of tea-infused rice. Every grain of rice absorbed the aroma of tea leaves. The rice was soft and not greasy, and the fragrance of tea and rice greatly increased one's appetite.
The tea-flavored spare ribs are also rich in tea aroma, tender and flavorful.
Stir-fried eggs with tea leaves also have a rich flavor profile, with a subtle bitterness and dry aroma of tea leaves.
Although both are made of eggs, tea eggs taste completely different from eggs fried with tea leaves.
Tea-scented shrimp: The shrimp are jade-white, the tea is fragrant, and the color is elegant. The shrimp is infused with the aroma of tea, and the tea is infused with the freshness of shrimp.
"The food on the plate embodies Zen; savoring it is a form of spiritual practice," Shen Zhian remarked.
“A cup of tea and a meal reflect one’s state of mind; a bite of tea and a Zen-like experience illuminate one’s own heart.” Qian Fulai rarely spoke eloquently.
Rong Yan'er exclaimed, "These dishes... are so delicious... Miss Tian, how did you come up with this idea...?"
Rongjie was only focused on eating.
Tian Tian looked at Empress Li, "Aunt Li, what do you think?"
"The aroma of tea soothes the soul, and a single sip brings peace of mind..." Empress Li exclaimed in admiration, "I never imagined that tea could be used not only for drinking but also to make such delicious dishes."
Empress Li couldn't help but give Tian Tian a thumbs up, "Tian Tian, you're so clever! You even came up with such a solution."
"The tea and snack shop you're going to open... will definitely be a huge hit."
"Then why don't you ask Aunt Li to think of a name for the shop?" Tian Tian looked at Empress Li with wide eyes and anticipation.
Upon hearing this, Empress Li frowned slightly and began to ponder...
The shop should use tea to make delicious food, so the name should ideally include the word "tea" and also have a Zen-like feel.
"Tea...fragrance...vegetarian...how about it?"
The character "茶" (tea) directly indicates that the shop's food is related to tea.
The word "fragrance" can refer to the aroma of tea or the aroma of food.
The character "斋" (zhāi) inherently carries a Zen connotation, highlighting the tranquility and elegance of tea tasting and food enjoyment.
“Okay.” Tian Tian immediately made the decision, “Let’s call it Tea Fragrance Studio.”
The next second, she feigned difficulty, "I just don't know who to ask for the inscription..."
Both her Baishi Teahouse and Baishi Hot Pot Shop had inscriptions written by Li Huaiyuan.
But Cha Xiang Zhai is a tea-themed restaurant, so it would be best if it could have an inscription by a renowned scholar.
I don't know Tian Tian, but...
Empress Li must have known.
Tian Tian secretly glanced at Empress Li and noticed that she was already deep in thought.
So I wasn't in a hurry, and waited quietly.
"Tian Tian, leave the inscription to me." Empress Li patted her chest and promised, "My father knows a great Confucian scholar in the capital, Mr. Su Bing. I will write back now and ask Mr. Su Bing to inscribe the calligraphy."
"Mr. Su Bing?!" Shen Zhian exclaimed in surprise. "If we could get an inscription from Mr. Su Bing, our Tea Fragrance Pavilion would definitely become a huge hit."
Seeing Tian Tian's curiosity, Shen Zhian explained, "This Mr. Su Bing is the most renowned scholar in Daqi, and his students are all over Daqi."
If scholars knew that Mr. Su Bing had inscribed a name for their Tea Fragrance Studio, they would definitely try every means to come and taste it.
Once they've tried it, there's no need to worry about not having business in the future.
"Thank you so much, Aunt Li." Tian Tian was very grateful.
Empress Li took Tian Tian's hand and said, "Oh, Tian Tian, don't be so polite with Aunt Li. I'm very happy to be able to help you."
How could she not help her future daughter-in-law with her work?
Shen Zhian put down his chopsticks, satisfied with his meal. "Sweetie, let's go to Xiushui County to choose a shop tomorrow."
After tasting these dishes, Shen Zhian became even more impatient.
Tian Tian asked, "Uncle Shen, do you have two shops next to each other?"
“It can be connected,” she added.
Shen Zhian rolled his eyes, thinking. He owned several shops in Xiushui County, but none of them could be connected and integrated...
For a moment, he really couldn't think of it.
but...
"Sweetie, do you want to combine the two shops together and expand them into one big shop?"
Tian Tian thought that, just like the shop she and Rong Yan'er were planning to open, she wanted to create more themed private rooms in the Tea Fragrance Pavilion.
Scholars must enjoy composing poems together, especially while enjoying delicious food and fine tea.
She wants to make Tea Fragrance Studio a gathering place for literati.
"Whether it's there or not, Sweetie, don't worry, I'll find a way to get it when I get back." Shen Zhian was very confident; at worst, he could just exchange his shop for another.
If one-for-one doesn't work, then one-for-two.
“Girl, I’ll go back first. Come back in a couple of days and I’ll get the two adjacent shops sorted out.”
Tian Tian believes he has the ability. "Location doesn't matter, a slightly remote location is actually better."
A quieter environment is more conducive to writers writing poetry.
During the two days that Tian Tian spent in Xiushui County, she and Rong Yan'er worked together to refine her project plan.
Her request to Rong Yan'er was the same as Shen Zhi'an's: ideally, the two shops could be connected and linked together.
“No problem.” Rong Yan’er chuckled. “My family owns thirty to fifty shops in Songxi County. There are plenty of shops close together, so you can choose whichever you like.”
Just like Shen Zhian, they figured they could simply move the tenants to another shop.
“We want to do business with women, so the location of the shop doesn’t need to be particularly good,” Tian Tian explained, “Women should always be more discreet when they go out.”
You can't open a shop in the most bustling area.
"To make it easier for customers who only buy ice cream and pastries, we can set up a window outside the shop."
"I bought it and left."
Rong Yan'er nodded repeatedly in admiration, "Miss Tian, you've thought this through so thoroughly."
Tian Tian smiled a little embarrassedly. This kind of setup was perfectly normal in her time, with dine-in and takeout options available.
"Then let's get started."
Rong Yan'er nodded, "Miss Tian, you can go to Xiushui County with peace of mind. Leave this to me."
She patted her chest confidently.
These days, Tian Tian has been guiding her to think for herself and solve the problem on her own.
She was very grateful and secretly resolved to do a good job of managing the shop.
"Before we start, we need to discuss the profit sharing." Tian Tian didn't forget this most important thing.
Since we need to talk things out with Shen Zhian first, we need to talk things out with Rong Yan'er even more.
“You provide the shop, I provide the recipe and tools, and we each contribute five hundred taels of silver. If we make money in the future, I'll give six and you four.”
The reason for splitting the profits 50/50 with Shen Zhian is that Shen Zhian will provide the tea at a cooperative price.
As for Rong Yan'er, she only contributes the shop, so her share will definitely be small.
“No problem.” Rong Yan’er didn’t try to negotiate at all and directly agreed to the profit sharing that Tian Tian proposed.
*
Two days later, Tian Tian arrived in Xiushui County as agreed.
Shen Zhian led her to the shop they had chosen, two large shops located on the edge of the busiest street, a quiet oasis amidst the hustle and bustle.
Craftsmen are already busy in the shop.
"It's been connected. Come and take a look."
When Tian Tian went inside, she saw that the wall between the two shops had been removed and the roof had been reinforced.
Unlike the open space between the first and second floors of the Baishi Teahouse, there is a partition between the second and first floors, and the adjacent walls have been removed, just like on the first floor.
"How is it?" Shen Zhian asked.
Tian Tian thought it was a good idea. The lobby on the first floor was spacious enough to set up a stage where people could play music or sing opera.
The second floor consists entirely of side rooms, and several small side rooms can be combined to form several large side rooms.
The backyards of the two shops were also connected, and several kitchens were built to prepare hot dishes, cold dishes, and pastries.
During her time in Xiushui County, Tian Tian installed solar panels, air conditioners, lights, a refrigerator in the kitchen, and other appliances.
She also bought some board games from the system and placed them in each of the private rooms.
Next came recruitment, a task entrusted to Shen Zhian.