SFS Chapter 396 Sweet Creation
Chapter 396 Sweet Creation
After successfully helping the refugees in the Huanghuai area to settle down and work in peace and contentment and turning them into registered residents, Chen Jia and Chen Jue did not stop exploring. They keenly realized that the sugar industry might be a very promising development direction, which could not only create more ways to increase income for local people, but also enrich the variety of goods on the market. Therefore, the two decided to conduct in-depth research on the process of beet and sugarcane sugar extraction, as well as the production methods of white sugar and brown sugar, and further process sugar into fine candies and sugar powder.
On this day, sunlight shone through the window into the room in the Chen Mansion that was temporarily converted into a laboratory. The table was filled with various sugar-making tools and materials, including fresh beets, sugar cane, and some samples of boiled sugar liquid. Chen Jia picked up a piece of sugar cane, took a bite, and felt the sweet juice. She was the first to speak: "My husband, look at this sugar cane, it is rich in juice and very sweet. And the beets also have a high sugar content. If we can develop an efficient sugar extraction process, we can make them into white sugar, brown sugar, and even further process them into fine candies and sugar powder, which will not only allow the people to have more livelihoods, but also open up a broad market."
Chen Jue nodded slightly, his eyes fell on the pile of beets, and he said thoughtfully: "My wife, your idea is insightful. The sugar industry is indeed promising, but the process is not simple. The sugar extraction methods of beets and sugarcane may be different, and the production of white sugar and brown sugar involves multiple steps such as boiling and purification. We need in-depth research and repeated experiments to master the essence of it."
Chen Jia put down the sugar cane and said seriously: "Husband, I think we can first consult various ancient books and materials to see what experience and records our ancestors had in sugar making. At the same time, we can visit sugar-making masters from all over the country and ask them about the traditional sugar-making process. Then, we can innovate and improve on this basis."
Chen Jue responded, "My wife, you are right. We can also gather some talented people who are good at studying chemistry and technology to discuss how to optimize the sugar production process and improve the output and quality of sugar. In addition, for the production of fine candies and powdered sugar, we must consider the tastes and needs of different consumers and develop diversified products."
In the following days, Chen Jia and Chen Jue became busy. Chen Jia led a group of people to visit famous sugar-making masters in various places. At the home of a master, Chen Jia said respectfully: "Master, we heard that you have superb sugar-making skills, so we came to ask for your advice. Can you tell us the key points of sugar cane and beet sugar extraction?"
The old master stroked his beard and said, "Girl, to make sugar from sugarcane, you must first choose good sugarcane with plenty of juice and high sweetness. When squeezing the juice, you must apply force evenly and try to squeeze out as much juice as possible. As for making sugar from beets, the beets must be washed and chopped, then boiled with water to boil out the sugar. However, the heat and time must be controlled well, otherwise the taste of the sugar will be wrong."
Chen Jia carefully recorded the information and asked, "What are the requirements for making white sugar and brown sugar?"
The old master smiled and said, "Brown sugar is relatively simple. You just boil the squeezed sugar juice and stir it constantly. When the water evaporates almost completely, it becomes brown sugar. The production of white sugar is much more complicated. It has to be purified many times to remove impurities before you can get white sugar as white as snow."
Chen Jue gathered a group of people who were knowledgeable about chemistry and technology in his mansion to discuss the optimization of the sugar-making process.
"Everyone, our research on sugar-making technology this time is aimed at improving the output and quality of sugar. Let's talk about what good ideas you have?" said Chen Jue.
A young man stood up and said, "Mr. Chen, I think we can design a more efficient juicing tool to improve the efficiency of juicing in the sugarcane juicing process. In addition, in the process of purifying white sugar, we may try to use some special filtering materials, which may be more effective in removing impurities."
Chen Jue nodded and praised: "Not bad, this idea is very innovative. Everyone can continue to study in depth along this line of thought. We should brainstorm and strive to find the best sugar production plan."
After a period of visits and research, Chen Jia and Chen Jue collected a lot of information and suggestions. When they returned to the mansion, they began to organize and summarize.
"Husband, based on the experience of the masters and everyone's suggestions, I think we can start by improving the juicing tools. Design a juicer powered by ox power, which can save manpower and improve juicing efficiency." Chen Jia said.
Chen Jue agreed: "My wife, this is a very good suggestion. For the purification of white sugar, we can try to use activated carbon for adsorption and filtration to further remove impurities and improve the purity of white sugar. And for the production of fine candies and powdered sugar, we can add some spices, fruit juice, etc. to enrich the taste."
Chen Jue immediately arranged for craftsmen to build a juicer powered by oxen, while Chen Jia prepared various materials and conducted experiments on sugar purification and candy making.
During the experiment, we encountered many difficulties. For example, when using activated carbon to purify white sugar, the color of the sugar became lighter, but the taste was a bit bitter.
Chen Jia frowned and said to Chen Jue, "Husband, it seems that the method of purifying activated carbon needs to be adjusted. It tastes bitter, there must be something wrong."
Chen Jue thought for a moment and said, "Madam, could it be that the amount of activated carbon or the adsorption time is wrong? Let's adjust the parameters and try again."
After many attempts, they finally found the appropriate amount of activated carbon and adsorption time, and successfully produced white sugar that was as white as snow and had a pure taste.
When making candies, Chen Jia tried adding different spices and juices. She handed the candy with rose spices to Chen Jue and said, "My husband, try this rose-flavored candy and see how it tastes."
Chen Jue took a bite and nodded in praise: "Well, this taste is very unique, with the sweetness of sugar and the fragrance of roses. I'm sure it will be loved by many people."
As the sugar-making process gradually matured, Chen Jia and Chen Jue began to prepare for large-scale production. They established a sugar-making workshop in the local area and employed many people.
"Fellow villagers, from now on you will work in this workshop, and we will work together to expand and strengthen the sugar-making business. After learning this craft, everyone's life will definitely get better and better." Chen Jue said to the workers.
In the workshop, Chen Jia patiently instructed the workers on how to operate the machine. "Everyone, please note that when putting the sugarcane into the juicer, it must be placed evenly so that more juice can be squeezed out. Also, when boiling sugar, the heat must be well controlled."
However, large-scale production also faces some problems. For example, the supply of sugar cane and sugar beets is sometimes insufficient.
Chen Jue said to Chen Jia, "Wife, we have to sign long-term planting contracts with surrounding farmers to ensure a stable supply of sugarcane and sugar beets. At the same time, we should encourage them to expand the planting area and increase production."
Chen Jia nodded and said, "My husband is right. We can also teach farmers some scientific planting methods to improve the quality of sugarcane and sugar beets."
Therefore, Chen Jia and Chen Jue personally went to the farmers' homes to teach them planting techniques. "Uncle, when planting sugarcane, you need to control the spacing so that it can be well ventilated and light-permeable, and grow strong. Also, when applying fertilizer, you need to pay attention to the amount and type of fertilizer," said Chen Jia.
Thanks to the efforts of Chen Jia and Chen Jue, the supply of sugar cane and sugar beets was guaranteed. The business of the sugar workshop was getting better and better, and the white sugar, brown sugar, fine candies and powdered sugar produced were very popular in the market.
"Boss, give me two pounds of white sugar and one pound of rose-flavored candy. Your candy tastes good, and everyone in my family, young and old, loves it." A customer said in the store.
As the product became a bestseller, Chen Jia and Chen Jue began to think about how to further expand the market.
"Husband, we can sell our products to farther places, even export them to other countries. However, the packaging and publicity must keep up," said Chen Jia.
Chen Jue nodded and said, "My wife is right. We will design some exquisite packaging to highlight the characteristics of the product. At the same time, we will send some people to various places to promote it and participate in various trade shows to increase the popularity of the product."
In terms of packaging design, Chenjia incorporated local cultural elements to make the product more distinctive. The publicity staff took the product to trade fairs in various places, attracting the attention of many merchants.
"This sugar is so white and the candy tastes so unique, it is really a rare and good product. We are willing to cooperate with you and sell these products to us." said a businessman from another place.
With the unremitting efforts of Chen Jia and Chen Jue, the sugar-making business has grown bigger and bigger, not only bringing rich income to the local people, but also allowing more people to taste delicious sugar products. Their sugar-making legend has become a good story among people, inspiring more people to be innovative and pursue a better life.