Eating sweets triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that directly affects emotions. Dopamine conveys feelings of happiness and excitement, so increasing its levels naturally makes a person feel joyful.
At the same time, when sugar enters the body and undergoes a chemical reaction, it produces dopamine. This is why many people feel happy and content after eating desserts—it's the dopamine at work, sending signals of pleasure to the brain.
In fact, when people are upset or mentally exhausted, their brains crave sugar the most. Eating other foods that contain fat, fiber, etc., won't convert into sugar quickly. However, certain desserts, like ice cream or cake, can quickly convert into sugar, relieving the symptoms and satisfying the brain's energy needs.
Additionally, when feeling down, the body often lacks B vitamins. Eating sweets, which are rich in carbohydrates, can help absorb vitamins B1 and B12, providing comfort and satisfaction mentally.
Besides quickly eliminating brain fatigue and discomfort, desserts also satisfy the psychological need for a comforting taste.
Most people, especially women, love desserts because they provide a sense of satisfaction that helps lift their mood. It's similar to how some people feel better after shopping—it's about finding a way to feel good.
Of course, while desserts can bring temporary joy, excessive long-term intake of sugar and fat can have negative effects on health.
...
Some people are particularly fond of desserts, which can be an irresistible temptation.
When you think of desserts, one word comes to mind: sugar.
Sugar can be understood in both broad and narrow senses. In a broad sense, sugar refers to all digestible carbohydrates, including those with and without sweetness, such as starch. In a narrow sense, sugar refers specifically to refined sugar and syrups commonly used in food and beverage production.
Almost all sweet foods contain large amounts of sweeteners made from refined sugar or syrup. For children and young women who enjoy eating sweets, cookies, snacks, and drinks, consuming more than 100 grams of sugar daily is common.
Certainly, eating too many desserts means consuming too much sugar, which, in the long run, can be harmful to health. However, Uji Kintoki is a low-calorie dessert.
Nutritional analysis of Uji Kintoki reveals that it contains 143.2 kcal, 4.5g of protein, 1.3g of fat, 28.5g of sugar, 1.6g of fiber, 15.3mg of sodium, and 56.2mg of calcium. This dessert can be enjoyed guilt-free without becoming overwhelming.
...
The smooth texture began to spread across her lips and tongue. This sensation felt like a handsome boy giving you a gentle smile, radiating warmth like autumn sunshine—so warm, so sweet!
If there's anything most beautiful in the world, dessert lovers would tell you without hesitation that it's desserts!
Desserts are not only named for their sweetness in taste but also for the sweet feelings their appearance brings—delightful shapes that make them irresistible.
The dessert melted smoothly in the mouth, with the slight bitterness of matcha blending with a gentle sweetness that created a layered experience. This unique blend of bitter and sweet left Erina, with her God Tongue, savoring every moment.
The red beans, cooked with sugar, became soft and sweet, contrasting perfectly with the subtle bitterness of the matcha, adding a touch of sweetness to the overall flavor.
Harmonious.
Natural.
Fragrant.
These words echoed in her mind as she tasted the dessert.
Asahi Saiba's Uji Kintoki dessert also used shaved ice as its base, which offered a cool, refreshing sensation, combining the fine texture of the ice with the richness of matcha and red beans for a unique experience.
During the tasting, one could even hear the slight crunch of the ice, adding a bit of fun to the texture.
Soft.
Crisp.
Each bite was full of surprises.
Finally, the smoothness of the matcha and the softness of the red beans created a delicate and rich experience!
...
Erina continued to slowly savor the dessert.
As she chewed, the flavors of the Uji Kintoki gradually unfolded, turning the experience into a feast within her mind.
There was one word to describe this feeling:
Exquisite.
It was simply exquisite!
The green tea inside was thick and mellow, with a fresh and crisp fragrance, reminiscent of the scent of orchids or chestnuts. Yet, when tasted, it blended seamlessly with another aroma, that of milk. The rich fragrance was mixed with the sweetness of ice and the rich flavor of red beans.
At that moment, Erina could fully feel the smoothness and elasticity that the Uji Kintoki provided.
After swallowing, she could distinctly sense the dessert's path down her throat, accompanied by a soft gulp.
Soon, the rich sweetness emerged slowly from her tongue, lingering.
It drew Erina deeper into the experience, making her feel as though she was transcending the mundane.
...
At that moment, the large kitchen fell silent.
Inwardly, Erina wished that time would stand still, allowing the flavors she was savoring to remain with her forever.
Then she opened her eyes, only to be surprised to find that the small portion of Uji Kintoki in front of her was gone.
"Huh?"
"I thought I only took one bite?"
"How is it that when I opened my eyes, it was... gone?"
Erina's bright and intelligent eyes revealed a trace of disbelief as she stared at the empty plate and the small spoon in her hand. Her emotions became a bit complex at that moment!
"No, Erina."
"You've already taken 14 bites of the Uji Kintoki, which is why you finished it all!"
Alice, watching Erina, also had an expression of disbelief. She stood up and spoke honestly.
"Did I really eat that much?"
Erina froze for a moment!
She couldn't believe that as the new Director of Totsuki Academy and someone with the God Tongue, she had been so utterly captivated by a simple Uji Kintoki dessert.
From start to finish, she had forgotten to critique, savor, and remember the dish's flavor...
Disaster!
Her mind felt like mush.
If Asahi Saiba's dish was at this level, then her carefully crafted Rose Lychee Raspberry Mousse would undoubtedly be a failure!
Indeed.
This Uji Kintoki dessert was simply too delicious.
One serving was far too little—it disappeared before I even realized it.
What should I do?
Am I really going to lose?
But... but... I don't want to accept it!
I've spent over half a year at Totsuki Academy, learning so much from Zane and growing a lot!
...
"You can steal others' abilities?"
"Although the flavor captivated my God Tongue, I still have a feeling of déjà vu."
"I can sense the skills of the chefs who've cooked for me in your Uji Kintoki."
Finally, accepting reality, Erina lifted her head and spoke to Asahi Saiba.
"Smart!"
"No wonder you're the Director of Totsuki."
"I've already stolen the abilities of Kojiro Shinomiya, Eishi Tsukasa, Gin Dojima, and Joichiro Saiba, among others!"
"So, it would indeed be difficult for you to defeat me alone!"
Asahi Saiba smiled.
"You…"
"It seems you truly are the greatest enemy the culinary world has ever faced!"
By this point, Erina had nothing more to say.
...
With that, the entire room fell silent.
Everything seemed to reach its conclusion here.
No matter what efforts Erina and the others made, the result was already determined.
The emergence of these Midnight Chefs would undoubtedly have an immeasurable impact on the future culinary era and Totsuki Academy—something that Erina and her friends could not change by sheer will alone.
At that moment, Alice, Hisako, and Miyoko exchanged glances, speechless. None of them had anticipated that the leader of the Midnight Chefs would be so terrifying!
Erina.
Defeated without a fight!
So, in the end, everyone in the kitchen stared in shock, as if a stone had been thrown into water, creating endless ripples.
...
The customers were equally stunned.
Suddenly, they realized that this must be the biggest news in the history of Totsuki Academy.
Not long after, the news of Erina's defeat spread throughout Totsuki Academy. Thus, students, members of the Elite Ten, professors, lecturers, and other staff who were not present quickly learned of the news.
Everyone was shocked!
Perhaps.
An era truly had ended.
...
"Well then."
"According to the rules of Shokugeki, I must take your chef's knife."
Finally, Asahi Saiba took Erina's kitchen tools and left the three-star dessert shop.
In that distant realm of taste, hidden within was a mouth revered as a "God Tongue." It was not just an organ for tasting the world's flavors; it was a source of wisdom and inspiration.
Each taste bud seemed to connect with the mysteries of the universe, capable of capturing the subtle, pure emotions and stories behind food.
When this God Tongue touched a dish, time seemed to stand still, and space trembled.
It could distinguish the origin and season of the ingredients and even sense the amount of sunlight and rain, as well as the hopes and persistence of the chef.
Each bite of food.
Guided by the God Tongue.
Turned into vivid pictures, telling the legendary journey from ingredients to the table.
But more astonishingly, the God Tongue possessed wisdom beyond taste itself. It could perceive the delicate balance between
foods, predicting the magical changes when flavors melded.
Thus, whether it was Mana Nakiri or Erina, they were like philosophers who deeply understood the laws of nature.
Guided by the God Tongue, cooking was no longer just a display of skill but an art, a philosophy, and a way to explore the essence of the world.
Seemingly ordinary ingredients, under the enlightenment of the God Tongue, shone with unprecedented brilliance, allowing anyone fortunate enough to taste them to experience a level of shock and insight never felt before.
Indeed, it's no exaggeration to say.
The wisdom of the God Tongue extended beyond the palate, illuminating the path of humanity's pursuit of the unknown and perfection.
"Hehe!"
"The wisdom of the God Tongue, huh?"
"Although I may not be able to steal Erina's God Tongue ability, the knowledge and wisdom it brings will benefit me greatly!"
"With this, the puzzle I've been putting together for so long is finally complete!"
"Hahaha…"
"My era has finally arrived!"
...
Finally, after obtaining Erina's kitchen tools, Asahi Saiba returned to the headquarters of the Midnight Chefs.
Feeling elated, he carefully examined Erina's sharp kitchen knife, eventually bursting into triumphant laughter.
Looking closely.
In his deep eyes.
Countless lights from powerful chefs seemed to converge, each telling a legendary story.
And his figure moved through the dawn and dusk like a warrior walking at the pinnacle of the culinary world, stepping on the paths of those before him, yet inadvertently carving out a road of his own!
Unmasked, his face was calm and resolute, with a smile occasionally playing on his lips, hiding his fearlessness in the face of challenges and his thirst for victory.
The hands gripping the knife were full of strength.
They recorded how he pushed forward in favorable circumstances, trampling countless chefs beneath his feet!
In him, we saw the shadows of many great chefs, but more importantly, he used his actions to define what it meant to be truly powerful.
...
"Lost!"
"The king lost to a small tavern."
Suddenly, a panicked Saji burst in, his face full of anxiety.
This news, like a cold wind on a winter's day, quietly but sharply pierced every corner of the heart.
Standing by the window, Asahi Saiba quickly suppressed his smile, gazing at the increasingly blurred city outline in the distance. The knife in his hand had already been put away, but Saji's frantic voice still echoed in his ears!
The light in the room seemed to dim slightly with the words, and the air grew heavy.
He slowly turned around, his eyes sweeping over Saji, and asked, "A tavern?"
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