Chapter : 31
The Bachelor is Asked for a Favor
“Here you go, coffee.”
From the back of the counter, two cups of coffee were handed over.
First, I checked the aroma, as one does, and took a small sip.
“…As I thought, it’s completely different from what I made.”
Even though we used the same equipment, why did it taste so different?
The coffee Rondel had prepared was on another level—the aroma, the richness, the flavor—all extraordinary.
Above all, it seemed almost completely free of any bitterness or off-flavors.
“The coffee beans I use vary in ripeness depending on the day’s temperature and humidity. There are many techniques, such as grinding methods suited to each bean, and extraction techniques. I’m self-taught, of course, but I won’t lose to any newcomer,”
Rondel spoke with what seemed like genuine confidence.
“Even if coffee becomes more popular, it doesn’t look like this café will lose customers,” I said.
“I’m honored by your words,” he replied.
No matter how much I’ve learned to make coffee myself, reproducing this taste is beyond the skill of an amateur. This flavor exists only here, thanks to Rondel’s years of experience and meticulous technique.
“However, I must say, compared to the coffee made with the usual mill, this isn’t that far behind,” Noid remarked as he took a sip.
“It’s only the first time, so I haven’t fully mastered it yet. But your coffee mill, Jilc, is wonderful. It’s much lighter than the one I made, and the grind adjustment is more precise. This allows for a wider range of coffee flavors than before,” Rondel explained.
“That’s good to hear.”
It was reassuring to hear that from both a regular customer who drank coffee daily and from Rondel himself. At least my creation had earned some level of recognition.
“Shall we try the magical device next?”
“Yes, please, give it a try.”
After finishing with the manual coffee mill, Rondel picked up the automatic one.
“Just put in the coffee beans, press the button on the back, and the blades will rotate. Release the button, and it stops. Try adjusting it that way.”
“Understood.”
After a brief explanation, Rondel placed the beans into the automatic mill.
He closed the lid and pressed the button on the back.
The blades inside began to rotate automatically, crushing the beans.
“Oh, this is easy and satisfying,”
Rondel seemed genuinely delighted, frequently checking the beans as they were ground.
Compared to the manual mill, it might be a little less engaging, but the joy of using a new tool was clear.
“However, it’s harder to adjust the grind compared to the manual mill. The feel is completely different from what I’ve gotten used to over the years,” he noted.
“Well, this is meant for mass-producing coffee with a consistent taste. Fine adjustments aren’t its strength.”
Precise micro-adjustments like one turn or two are difficult here, so this type of detailed tuning isn’t ideal.
With practice, one could get used to the automatic grinding, but it would take some time.
“Nonetheless, the speed is impressive. The beans turned into powder in no time,” Noid observed, watching the automatic mill with interest.
A large amount of coffee grounds had already fallen into the glass below.
Rondel began brewing the ground coffee again using a siphon.
He poured water in a circular motion to extract it.
“This coffee was made with the automatic mill,”
The brewed coffee was poured into a new cup and presented.
“Sorry, I ground it a bit too fine; it’s tricky to adjust,” Rondel apologized slightly, likely having tasted it himself during preparation.
“No problem,” I replied.
After all, he was using a tool different from his usual one. Naturally, there would be a difference between manual and automatic results.
I inhaled the aroma briefly before taking a sip.
“…Compared to the manual mill, the aroma and richness seem slightly weaker, but it’s perfectly drinkable,” I said.
“If you can enjoy this taste at home, that’s good enough,” Noid added.
“Since we’re used to drinking the master’s hand-ground coffee, our standards for aroma and flavor are strict,” he continued.
“I agree. For an amateur, producing this taste would be very difficult,” I nodded.
If a normal person used a manual mill without experience, the result would probably be a disappointing coffee with many off-flavors.
Considering that, an automatic mill that can consistently produce decent coffee has a clear demand.
“Master, what do you think of the automatic mill?”
“Well, I’ve only used it once, so it’s hard to say, but the blade design is something I noticed,” I replied.
“The design?”
“Yes. At such high speeds, frictional heat builds up, which is detrimental to the beans. I think a different design that reduces friction would be better.”
The blades in the automatic mill were propeller-shaped, but they generated too much friction heat.
“Also, it would be great if the blades were interchangeable. Everyone has their own preference for grind fineness.”
“Thank you for your valuable feedback. I’ll incorporate your opinion.”
Indeed, even in my previous life, there were various blade types. I could try them one by one to find the shape that maintains a consistent quality.
As expected, Rondel’s long experience made his observations precise.
I wish the neighbor, a constant complainer, could learn from this.
“By the way, Jilc, your work is excellent. My master is also a huge coffee fan. If possible, could we purchase these tools?”
“Once the finished products are ready, that’s fine. But who is this master of yours?”
“Count Albert Blend, sir.”
“The head of the Blend family…?”
A powerful noble family in the kingdom. While he holds the title of Count, his wealth, influence, and military strength rival those of a Marquis.
Noid serves a more prestigious master than I had anticipated.
Well, I’m not producing in bulk like a factory. Though I have no personal connection to the Blend family, it’s fine to sell a few items out of goodwill for a fellow coffee lover.
“Understood. Send the order form to my workshop later. But it’ll take some time, alright?”
I’d need time to improve the mills based on Rondel’s feedback. Even if the order came immediately, it couldn’t be fulfilled instantly.
I don’t enjoy working under such tight schedules.
“That’s fine. Thank you very much,” Noid said with a bright smile as he sipped his coffee.
