If making jam usually, you would pour it into a sterilized and dried glass jar while the jam is still hot, tighten the lid, turn it upside down, and once cooled, place it in the refrigerator.
But now, in the middle of a competition and without glass jars, for convenience in tasting, the jam is served in large glass bowls with just a spoon to scoop it out.
Cheng Su poured the jam into two deep and wide glass bowls, then placed the entire bowl in a basin of ice.
"Will we make it in time?" Ning Ge asked upon hearing that some participants had already finished making jam outside and realizing time was running out while they were just beginning the cooling process.
"Whether it’s enough or not, our jam is already done and can be brought out anytime. The only concern is the taste," Cheng Su smiled, tested the temperature of the ice basin, and said, "However, I think it shouldn’t affect much."
As he spoke, he picked up a spoon and gently dug a hole in one of the jams, stirring lightly to prevent too much movement from causing the jam to become watery.
In fact, the best cooling method is natural cooling after cooking. This way, the jam maintains its quality, avoiding over-stirring that turns the juice into water, thus affecting the taste. But now Cheng Su had no choice; to cool quickly, he could only flip the jam occasionally, but with very gentle movements.
Using two containers was also a precaution; if one bowl was spoiled, there was still another large bowl.
Time passed bit by bit, with sounds of other jams being completed occasionally coming from outside, but Cheng Su and the others remained silent.
Sitting in the competition seat, Wang Bo and others had pale faces, staring intently at the exit number three.
"It’s all our fault, it’s all our fault." Sweat kept streaming down from Xiao Zhu and Old Liu’s foreheads, their ashen faces devoid of any blood.
Mai Yanmei tightly covered her mouth, nearly crying out.
"Just five minutes left, friends, comrades, can they complete this competition smoothly?" The emcee smiled as he looked toward the exit.
"Three minutes."
"Two minutes."
"One... oh. Number three is out, and so is number four..."
"They’re out." Wang Bo and the others jumped up, punched the air, and looked intensely at Cheng Su and the others.
Similarly watching the two were Wan Fuyu not far away. He pursed his lips and focused on his company.
The truth will be revealed on the competition field; the victor will be determined here.
"Time’s up." The emcee stopped the stopwatch and glanced at the spots where each jam should be placed, regrettably saying, "Unfortunately, some participating companies did not show up on time. According to the competition rules, we consider this as forfeiting the competition. Now, let’s look back to the field, where the completed competitions include number 3 from Joy Soon Loy Company, number 5 from Good Taste Company, number 7 Friendly Foods, and number 10, number 4..."
Ning Ge glanced at number five, also covered with a thin gauze tray, unable to discern the contents or how they appeared.
"This emcee talks too much, can’t they just reveal it quickly?" Ning Ge mumbled, captivated by the chatter.
Cheng Su chuckled and said, "It’s all part of the necessary procedure. Later, after unveiling the prize, there’s still the closing remarks, so why rush? And the longer she talks, the more advantageous it is for us, right?"
Ning Ge was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said, "You’re right, I didn’t think of that. Here they come."
Cheng Su and he looked over, seeing the judges stand up, and the emcee had already announced the start of the evaluation.