"This will be interesting . " Chu Xiao revealed a meaningful smile .
"It's indeed interesting . " Yuan Zhou couldn't bear Chu Xiao's look all along and had always felt he deserved a beating . Now the opportunity was here .
"Do you two have any opinion?" The chairman of China Chefs' Alliance turned his head and asked Yuan Zhou and Chu Xiao .
The two of them stared at each other for an instant and both shook their head with one accord .
"No problem . " "That is just to my satisfaction . " Yuan Zhou answered decently while Chu Xiao was arrogant as always .
"Since one person is out, the rules have to be changed, too . You definitely have no different opinions, right?" The chairman smiled slyly . Even before the two persons answered him, he continued to say .
"Let me declare the new rules . " The chairman stroked his beard .
"You two will come up together to observe the ingredients and see who can reveal the origin, effect, eating method or cooking method faster . "
"Ok . " The two persons answered at the same time this time .
"Alright . Then let's get started now . " The chairman reached out his hands and indicated they could start now .
"This way, please . " A girl went up to them and led them forward .
The ingredients weren't put on the plate this time, but were sealed up completely . A full range of protection was offered in case of any damage .
"This vegetable is very sensitive of people's breath . Please be careful . " The girl smiled and said .
"No worries . Just uncover it . " Looking at the ritual girl with a smile, Chu Xiao said to her .
"Ok . Please look carefully . " The girl nodded her head and then uncovered it quickly .
Once the cover was removed, there appeared a clear glass-like round-bottom flask . There was a lid over the opening with an oxygen tube at the side, which was transferring the oxygen inside with a sound of "Gu Lu Gu Lu . "
"Ottelia acuminata?" While Master Fang was still guessing what it was with a puzzled expression, Yuan Zhou and Chu Xiao said with one accord .
"It seems that both of you know what it is . Who wants to speak first?" The chairman said smilingly while stroking his beard .
"Please . " Occasionally, Chu Xiao also had polite moments, like now .
Usually, the polite remarks were only for courtesy . After that, the other part would normally respond in the same way . Only this process was reasonable .
"Ok . " Yuan Zhou nodded his head without hesitation .
Then, Chu Xiao became a little stupefied . This was one of the rare times where he had shown courtesy, but this was the result?
"Ottelia acuminata is an endangered species . " When Yuan Zhou spoke of that, he looked at the comments .
In his opinion, such an endangered species shouldn't be regarded as precious .
"It is a kind of underwater plant that can live and grow in water at a maximum depth of 4 meters . It has extremely high requirements for the quality of the water . The water must be clear and transparent and furthermore, must be rich in mineral substances and growth elements . Only with those conditions could it grow . " Yuan Zhou said while pointing at the root stock under water .
"Ottelia acuminata is a little strange . Even on one plant, the shape of leaves and the length of petiole and scape have obvious variations based on the depth of water and the speed of the current . Normally, its blossoming phase is from May to October . In the warm areas, however, it might blossom all year long . This wild vegetable is a kind of species found only in China . " While saying that, Yuan Zhou took a look at Chu Xiao .
A kind of species only found in China . This man seemed to be quite familiar with that .
"Indeed . But in foreign countries, people take it as a green and healthy dish because of the harsh living atmosphere . So my restaurant will occasionally provide the dish . " Chu Xiao shrugged .
"That is indeed so . Both of you are outstanding masters . But for many masters off the stage, this is the first time they have seen such a precious wild vegetable . It is extremely difficult to be seen and quite delicate and will wither very easily . " The Research Doctorate of Precious Ingredient said while pushing the glasses upward .
"Pollution is getting more and more serious . Wherever there's such a wild vegetable, the air must be very good . Perhaps, we'll never see it again in the future . " The Great Gourmet also nodded his head to chime in .
"Exactly . " The chairman also nodded his head . Right after that, however, he continued, "Okay . I have already known this stuff isn't that difficult for you two . Let's change to another one . Move it carefully, otherwise we will be unable to consume it later . "
After saying that, the old man blinked mischievously .
"This seems to be only a warm-up . " Yuan Zhou said inwardly .
"We are playing for keeps this time . " The chairman showed them the tray carried to their back with a smile .
This time, the serving girl appeared much more relaxed . There were a round tray and a clear glass container that was tightly sealed on it . It was only from the bottom that people knew it was a glass container .
"Please check . " The girl set down the tray on the table lightly and uncovered the glass container .
In the container was the clear and transparent rice . That's right . It was just like the ordinary rice that people ate in normal times . Besides, it was a little thinner and longer than the ordinary rice .
"Rice?" Chu Xiao looked at it carefully .
Nevertheless, Yuan Zhou just observed silently at the side without saying anything .
"Master Chu, of course it is rice . " The chairman stroked his beard and nodded his head for affirmation .
"Judging from the beautiful luster plus the faint fragrance, it's supposed to be a kind of tribute rice?" Chu Xiao continued saying that .
However, it was the first time that he had judged one thing with such a tone of uncertainty .
Indeed . It was quite difficult to guess what it was since it was carried up to him without any clues .
Even though Chu Xiao believed himself to be knowledgeable, he didn't have much contact with tribute rice . After all, China was different from other countries . Even if people had good stuff, they would prefer to hide it and wouldn't like to talk much about it .
"Keep going . " The three judges neither denied nor affirmed his word, but just signaled him to continue .
However, the three judges felt fairly proud . It wasn't easy at all to get a container of the genuine rice and thus it was very common that they couldn't guess it right .
"It is at the same level as Xiangshui Tribute Rice, but is actually not . It should be Zhefang Rice . The color and fragrance deserve the name . " When Chu Xiao brought out Zhefang Rice, he said with a fairly affirmative tone .
"Haw-haw . " The old chairman burst into laughter . Just when he prepared to say something, he was interrupted by Yuan Zhou's answer .
"The color of Zhefang Rice is as white and tender as jade . Its taste is fragrant and soft when used for cooking plain rice and the texture would be sticky but not greasy when used for making porridge . " Yuan Zhou first brought out the characteristics of Zhefang Rice and then continued to say the following words .
"However, the rice grains in front now are a bluish-white, like jade and besides, it looks as dense as the sand . If used for cooking the plain rice, its pulp would absolutely be like breast milk . When cooked, the rice will be shiny and overflowing with fragrance; the rice grains will be clear and transparent; the taste will be delicate and delicious . Such a rice will be able to raise one's appetite best and is beneficial to the spleen and stomach . " Yuan Zhou said clearly and logically while pointing at the rice in the container .
"Then what rice do you think it is?" Chu Xiao asked with a sarcastic tone rather than a serious question .
He just found it hilarious . He had, anyhow, been to Diaoyutai State Guesthouse while Yuan Zhou was merely an inferior chef working in a tiny restaurant . Even if he was so knowledgeable, he hadn't really seen genuine tribute rice before . At least he had the fortune to taste it once before .
"You still don't know what it is?" Yuan Zhou asked naturally .
This made Chu Xiao choke .
"It is Sanyi Tribute Rice . Ever since the First Emperor of Qin Dynasty, it has been designated as the tribute rice for the imperial family . " Seeing Chu Xiao become dumbfounded, Yuan Zhou shook his head and brought out the answer .
"Damn it! You look so wild and arrogant . " Chu Xiao laughed scornfully while looking at Yuan Zhou and saying that . How could it be possible that one can tell where the rice came from just by a simple glance? The rice didn't have any conspicuous distinction from any others .
Therefore, Chu Xiao naturally thought that Yuan Zhou was bullsh*tting . . .
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