Chapter 3 — Coffee Pairing Queen

“No need, I haven't finished drinking the seeds I brought today.” “What's in your hand-brewed pot?” Mr. Trieu stopped by and wanted to look. “Kenya Nyeri.” “Never heard of it.” Mr. Trieu shook his head. “Definitely not as good as Gesha.” I took a sip. There is probably nothing in this world that wastes more time than explaining coffee to people who don't understand coffee. In the afternoon, the number of people running to the bathroom increased to seven. Phuong Di's explanation has also been upgraded. "This batch of Gesha has stronger acidity than the previous batch, so people with sensitive stomachs will react a bit stronger." "I advise everyone not to drink it on an empty stomach, eating it with biscuits is fine." Mr. Trieu weakly hugged his stomach and said: "Yes, it's really advanced, I have to gradually adapt." I looked at him holding his stomach but still trying to maintain his dignity and not saying anything. It's just that after returning to my seat, I took a photo of the coffee beans I got yesterday and sent it to someone. My college friend, Co Nhien. Currently he is the technical manager of a top three coffee quality inspection organization in the country. "Look at these beans for me. The photo is a bit blurry, I will send you a sample in two days." Co Nhien immediately replied: "What's wrong? Are you going to conduct a secret investigation?" "No. The beans brought by my colleague, I don't think it's right." "The color difference is this big? The roast level is completely inconsistent. Wait until you send the sample, I will check everything just pepper.”“Okay.”PART 05 In the following week, Phuong Di's “farm grain” became the morale pillar in the office. Every morning as soon as they arrive at the company, the first thing everyone does is rush into the tea room to grind grain. Phuong Di suddenly became the new generation "coffee goddess". "Phuong Di, what to drink today?" "Today is Mandheling! Sumatra region, less sour, rich, suitable for people with weak stomachs like everyone." I sat at my desk listening to those words, my face was very calm. Mandheling's reputation for being less sour is true. But last week those people had stomach upset, was it really because the "acidity was too high"? At most, coffee with high acidity only stimulates the stomach to secrete more acid, not to the point of having to run to the bathroom seven or eight times. That symptom is like... That's it. Maybe I think too much. At noon, I put the sealed bag containing the coffee bean sample into the delivery bag and went downstairs to send it to Co Nhien. Express delivery within the city, will arrive tomorrow. In the afternoon, Phuong Di appeared in front of my desk holding a cup of coffee. "Ms. Ninh." Her voice was no longer arrogant like the previous few days, but on the contrary, it was still tentative. "Do you have an opinion on me?" I took off one earphone. "No." "Then why don't you drink the coffee I brought you every day?" "I'm used to drinking my own brew." "You look down on my boyfriend's seeds, don't you?" Phuong Di's chin tilted up. "Sister Ninh, you're also telling the truth. I'm jealous." "Before, everyone was surrounding me, but now they're all looking for you, and I'm upset." I looked at her and didn't say anything. "Don't think I can't see that little bit of your thoughts." She lowered her voice. "Last time you secretly took my seeds in the tea room, do you think no one saw?" I paused. She knows. “The camera can film.” Phuong Di curled her lips. "What do you want to do? Send it for inspection? Then prove that my beans have a problem? To bring everyone to your side?" "Sister Ninh, don't waste your time. My boyfriend has been an importer for six years, all the procedures are complete." "Your little kids can't deal with us." After saying that, she turned and left. The sound of high heels clicking loudly. I put my headphones back on. The phone vibrates. Co Nhien texted: "Received the sample. Results will be available tomorrow." PART 06 I admit, Phuong Di's words made me hesitate for a moment. What if I'm really thinking too much? Missing other people's seeds is no problem, just a little uneven

Regarding the roast level, wouldn't I become a scandalous person? But the next morning, Co Nhien's message erased all my hesitation. "Khuong Ninh, call me immediately." He sent three messages immediately. I went to the bathroom to call back. Co Nhien's voice was very deep. "I did a basic test on your coffee beans. The results were problematic." "What's the problem?" "First, the aflatoxin content exceeded the standard. Not slightly exceeding, but four times higher than the national standard." "Second, ochratoxin A was also detected, although the index was near the limit." "Third, this is absolutely not Gesha, nor Yirgacheffe. Judging from the traces of green bean processing and flavor characteristics, This is just the most ordinary commercial Robusta, maybe even low-grade beans produced in Vietnam.” “Fourth, the white powder on it is not silk, but mold.” I leaned against the bathroom wall. “Are you sure?” “I ran liquid chromatography twice.” Co Nhien said. "Furthermore, I also smelled what you call 'excessive fragrance'. I suspect they added artificial flavoring to cover the musty smell." "Khuong Ninh, this type of nut cannot be drunk. Aflatoxins are group 1 carcinogens, long-term absorption will damage the liver." "Drinking large amounts in a short period of time can also cause acute digestive reactions, more serious will lead to abnormal liver function."