Yu Ying was a bit different, having done the operation so many times, the Zongzi she wrapped became more and more presentable. From being crooked and askew at the beginning, to occasionally having openings or exposing the glutinous rice, to now where the entire Zongzi looked completely intact.
"Wrapping Zongzi is truly not that easy." Yu Ying sighed, looking at her results with great satisfaction. However, that bundle of Zongzi was the result of many crooked attempts before she could achieve this outcome.
"Xiao Yu, you’re amazing." Yan Hua deeply admired her for her cooking. She had always thought those who could cook were amazing, especially when she recalled her own grilled meat and felt somewhat embarrassed.
"Don’t be disheartened. Let’s make something else." Su Bai stood up, clapped his hands, and instructed. "Xiao Yu, please take the Zongzi to steam,"
"Okay." Yu Ying took all those Zongzi into the kitchen with a smile.
"Make something else? Shaman, do we need to do other things for the Dragon Boat Festival?" Yan Hua asked. Despite her failures with the Zongzi, she was already eager to try. As long as she did not have to wrap Zongzi, she was willing to do anything.
"No, this has nothing to do with the Dragon Boat Festival, it’s purely coincidental." Su Bai shook his head.
Yan Hua brushed her black hair aside and asked. "Shaman, what are we going to do?"
In her heart, she was constantly hoping it would be making weapons or other interesting things.
[Since the System provided this package of glutinous rice, apart from wrapping Zongzi, we should make vinegar.]
Back on Earth, glutinous rice was also used to make vinegar, and now there was so much glutinous rice that using it all for Zongzi would be too wasteful.
The Tribe currently lacked many seasonings, including vinegar which was a necessity from Su Bai’s point of view. Adding a bit of vinegar when cooking could make the flavour transform into something entirely different, and Su Bai missed the taste.
Additionally, this vinegar could later be taken to other Tribes to exchange for useful items.
"Vinegar? What is vinegar?" Yan Hua, like earlier today, heard many unfamiliar terms.
"It’s a type of seasoning that can be added to our food." Su Bai explained.
Yan Hua blinked her red eyes and asked, "Shaman, is this vinegar difficult to make? Can I make it too?"
She was already eager to try; her greatest pleasure every day was to come to the Shaman’s place after training to see if there were new interesting things.
"It’s not that difficult, but there are quite a few steps to pay attention to." Su Bai said.
The method of making vinegar from glutinous rice was similar to brewing alcohol, requiring soaking and washing before steaming. Finally, yeast had to be added and stirred, and after thorough mixing, it would be left to ferment.
In fact, the overall production process was quite similar to brewing alcohol; anyone who knew how to brew alcohol would know how to make vinegar.
"…" Yan Hua nodded thoughtfully, preparing to try it shortly.
Su Bai began processing the glutinous rice according to the alcohol-making procedure. After steaming it, he added the yeast, stirred it thoroughly, and then placed it in a ceramic jar. The entire process was completed smoothly without any delay, as the experience of brewing alcohol made vinegar-making quite simple as well.
Yan Hua felt this scene was very familiar and after thinking back and forth, asked, "Shaman, brewing alcohol is done the same way, right?"
"Yes, the steps are not much different from when we brew alcohol. In that case, you already know the steps, right? Would you like to try it yourself?" Su Bai asked.
Yan Hua nodded without hesitation and responded, "Shaman, I want to try."
Yan Hua happily scooped up the glutinous rice and began methodically imitating the Shaman.
It must be said that on one hand, her learning ability was quite strong; she completed each step without error, finishing the entire vinegar-making process.
Co Co, who was watching on the side, also became eager to try and requested to attempt it as well, following the procedure to make a jar of vinegar.
"Great. Now, we take them to a cool corner to store them in. After some time, it will be ready to eat." Su Bai smiled.
He had not expected that these girls would learn things so quickly, seemingly able to learn just by watching once.
"Shaman, when will this vinegar be ready?" Yan Hua had already begun to imagine what vinegar might taste like.
"The snow season is about to arrive; given the season, it should take at least forty to fifty days from now." Su Bai added.
On Earth, during spring and winter, it indeed required this much time, while in summer and autumn, the time needed would be shorter, only about twenty to thirty days.
"Shaman, how can we tell when the vinegar is ready to eat?" Co Co asked.
"Once the fermented liquid turns sour, it will be ready. By then, you should come to flavour." Su Bai smiled.
Once vinegar was successfully made, it could be considered an excellent seasoning. Adding a bit of vinegar when eating noodles or dumplings would add an incredible flavour to it.
Co Co nodded thoughtfully, her mind beginning to connect this vinegar with experimentation again.
"Alright, let’s go see how Xiao Yu is steaming the Zongzi. Once they’re ready, you can try them." Su Bai smiled.
"Yay!" Yan Hua nodded and turned to run towards the kitchen.
Twenty minutes later, Yu Ying carried out a basin of steaming hot Zongzi from the kitchen.
"The Zongzi are done, everyone come and try them!" Yu Ying said with a smile.
Yan Hua was the first to come forward, deliberately choosing a very large Zongzi to hand to Su Bai.
As the Zongzi was very hot, she kept turning it over in her hand, smiling and saying, "Shaman, try it, quickly."
"Hahaha…" Su Bai laughed and said, "It’s too hot. Just put it down first."
He was truly amused by how cute she was. [Truly, spending my days in this Primitive Tribe filled with laughter and joy is great.]