Obviously, I ended up cooking the syrup too long. However, how long should I cook the next batch? This time, I cooked it 5 and a half minutes until it was a similar color to the syrup in my world. Why did it taste so burnt?
My best hypothesis was that the syrup in my world used artificial coloring to make it such a dark brown. Similar to how coke would use artificial coloring to make their soda such a dark shade of brown.
After thinking it through, I turned to Becca to explain my thought process and see if she agreed. "So, I see two things wrong with the liquid I made. The first thing is that it is burnt and the second things is that it still has an earthy taste. I would like to deal with one thing at a time, so I want to work on making it not burnt first. When I heated it up, my thought process was to make it the same color as the syrup I know, dark brown, but I realized that maybe they used coloring to make it look darker just for looks. So my plan this time is to stop heating it up once it just starts turning light brown. Also, because it turned from clear to light brown to dark brown so quickly, I plan to heat it up at a low heat this time, so we have a little more wiggle room. What do you think Becca?"
"Well, as long as you stop heating it up when it is light brown, it will for sure be less cooked as this one, so hopefully it will no longer taste burnt. I agree with your plan, Nick."
I handed the wooden spoon to Becca. "Alright Becca, this time you stir the tree sap as it's heating up."
Becca looked surprised. "What? Why me? You already have experience doing it…"
I smiled at her cute reaction. "You said you have never cooked before, so I want you to give it a try. Don't worry, I specifically picked this as your first task because it is very simple. All you have to do it constantly stir the tree sap as it is heating up so all the sap gets heated equally. Then, once I turn the heat off, just continue to stir it until it becomes as viscous as the first attempt. There is not any problem with bubbles or anything like that for this liquid, so you don't have to focus on anything difficult."
Becca had a determined expression this time. "Alright, I have to start somewhere. Please let me know if I make any mistakes. I am in your care."
I chuckled lightly. "Of course I'll take good care of you."
I suddenly heard Helen mutter to the right of me, "oh my gosh, they really are lovey dovey…"
Before I could respond, Becca told Helen, "you see how well he is treating me now, I can't help myself from being lovey dovey with him."
"I know, he was so different before…"
Becca laughted out loud and gave me a playful pinch on my side. "Yes, he is kind of like a beast that suddenly turned into Prince Charming. Now, I just need to appreciate my blessings."
I bumped Becca with my hip. "Alright, enough gossiping. Let's start working on this second batch."
Becca waved the spoon in her hand. "Alright, honey!"
I poured another 1/4 of the bucket into the pot and turned the oven to a low heat this time. Becca started stirring the tree sap continually. She had a serious face and I could tell she was trying to stir every inch of the tree sap so none of it was unevenly heated. She was putting in more effort than was really needed, but I understood since it was her first cooking task of her whole life. She was so cute I almost forgot to pay attention to the syrup being made. Luckily, there was no problems while it was heating, so me being distracted didn't effect anything.
This time, the tree sap didn't start turning light brown until 10 minutes off cooking since the heat was on low now. I turned off the heat and reminded Becca, "keep stirring it until you think its cooled off and viscous enough. Then let me know, so I can check."
Becca knodded her head and continued to work diligently. After a few minutes, she let me know she thought it was ready. I took the spoon from her and tested the liquid. It was similar to the first batch, so it was definitely ready. I took a spoonful from the tasting spoons and held it out to Becca. "Want the first taste?"
"Yes!" Becca lowered her head and slowly brought her mouth to the spoon. Her motion unexpectedly reminded me of something erotic…I had to shake my head to forget about the sight I had just seen.
Then, after tasting the liquid, Becca excitedly said, "the burnt taste is completely gone! It's so sweet now! Even with the earthiness, it is already good enough to sell!"
I quickly tried some myself. It definitely was very close to the real deal. The sweetness was at a perfect level. It seems we wouldn't be needing to add our own sugar to it.
"Now just if we can get rid of the earthiness it would be perfect. My best idea is to run the tree sap through a sieve before we start heating it up, but I'm not sure."
Helen responded, "yes, I think that should be able to get out any dust or dirt that might be from the tree."
"Ok, Helen can you bring over the sieve with the smallest holes we have?"
"Yes!", Helen excitedly scurried away. It looked like she was also excited to try the finished syrup.
Once Helen returned with the sieve, I ran the tree sap through the sieve as I poured it into the pot. The tree sap in the pot was even clearer than before, so I knew it definitely did something. "Alright, now I'm getting excited! Ready, Becca?"
"Yep, turn up the heat!"
I started cooking the tree sap and soon, the liquid was turning light brown. I turned off the heat and a few minutes later, the three of us was looking at the liquid in the pot anxiously.
Becca called out to me, "Nick, you take the first taste. You can tell us if it is the final product."
I didn't stand on ceremony and took a spoon for myself. Once I tasted the liquid, I instantly had a smile on my face. It was exactly like the syrup I remember! It was perfect!
"This is it guys! We did it! Now everyone can try syrup! I can't believe we did it, I'm so happy!"
Becca and Helen quickly took spoons for themselves and tasted the syrup. Both of their eyes were closed and they were smiling from ear to ear.
Becca was the first one to open her eyes and say, "this is so good! I don't even like sweet things too much, but I really like it!"
Helen remarked, "I can't believe tree sap can turn into something so delicious with just a few simple steps!"
Looking at their responses, I smiled in satisfaction.