163 Episode 4 Corn, Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes (1/2)

I guess you can find a lot of things if you look hard enough.

Hercule said in a good mood.

He was in a good mood because he had found the three crops he was looking for.

They were corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.

Thanks to Cecilia's help.

No, no, I'm happy to help you with this.

Cecilia said with a smile.

It was only with Cecilia's help that we were able to find these three crops.

It was Cecilia who informed the clergy of the Church of Messiah of Hercule's intentions.

Under Cecilia's leadership, the Church of Messiah is now extending its reach throughout the world.

Naturally, before establishing churches and monasteries, it is necessary to conduct in-depth research and planning.

Cecilia instructed that if any unusual crops were found in the process, they should be obtained and sent to Nova Lemuria.

But ...... is not a food mentioned in the Bible, can we eat it?

”That's more proof than argument, I guess. ...... Oh, Ciphany. Put it here.

Yes, sir.

In Hercule's office, Cifanie brings a dish made from three different crops.

She places it on the table, bows and leaves.

When he was sure that Cifanie was gone, Hercule tapped the table next to him.

Would you like to eat with me?

”I'll take your word for it at .......

Cecilia blushed slightly and moved from the couch across from Hercule to the one next to him.

So ...... can you explain to me how this is prepared?

”The potatoes and sweet potatoes were simply boiled, and the corn was ground into flour and then processed into bread.

Hercule said and picked up a potato.

He broke it open with his hand and handed half of it to Cecilia.

Cecilia put her beautiful lips on the potato, as if she was afraid.

Hmm, it's soft. How can I describe it?　It's hard to describe the taste.

”Not to your taste?

Cecilia tilted her head when Hercule asked.

No, it's not bad. It's just, well, I'm not sure. It's not something I'm used to eating. ......

”Well, that's true.

Hercule also took a bite of the potato.

I'm not familiar with the taste. ......

Hercule also tilted his head.

It's a bit of a strange taste, but it's still a bit strange.

It was no wonder.

There are no potatoes in the Lemurian Empire.

It was a completely unknown food.

Even Hercule's tongue was puzzled by his first taste.　What is this? ......” He seems to be puzzled.

It grows in the ground, right?　Do you mean roots?

”No, it's not a root. As I recall, potatoes are a kind of underground stem.

”...... stem?　This?

Cecilia tilted her head.

Hercule agreed.

”Well, but you see. If you soften the stems of broccoli, don't you think it would look like this?

...... Indeed, it does seem that way.

It's a mystery plant, but it's still a mystery plant according to the Lemurian Empire.

Let's try sweet potato next.

Similarly, Hercule split a sweet potato in his hand and handed half of it to Cecilia.

They both take a bite.

It's a little sweet.

”Yes, it's like a sweetened ...... potato.

The sweetness is not as sweet as the variety eaten in Japan.

It's not as sweet as the Japanese variety, but they haven't improved that much.

”It also grows in the ground, doesn't it?　The stem?

Yes, it grows in the soil, but this is a root.

”Oh, so it's totally different from potatoes.

Potatoes are a type of potato in the family Solanaceae.

Sweet potato is a species of sweet potato in the family Solanaceae.

They are mongoloid, but they are strangers to each other, like a Japanese citizen of Tokyo and a Chinese citizen of Beijing.

Next is corn.

After being processed into flour, it is kneaded, baked, and made into bread.

In Japan, it is common to boil and eat corn.

However, this corn is not very tasty even when boiled.

The type of corn commonly grown in Japan is called ”sweet corn”.

On the other hand, the type of corn obtained by Hercule is called ”flint corn”, which is a hard grain type.

Hmm, this is rather normal.

”Well, it's normal.

The fact that it was cooked in bread made it more palatable to both of them.

But wheat bread is more to my liking.

Well, that's true.

Bread made of wheat and bread made of corn.

There is no reason for either of them to choose the latter, other than curiosity.

So, Mr. Hercule, what are the advantages of introducing these three crops?　...... If it's just taste, I think wheat is better.

It's just that we're not used to eating it. ...... Advantages? Well, let's start with an explanation of potatoes.

Potato.

It's a crop called potato in Japan.

Its name comes from ”potato from Jakarta”.

When it was introduced to Japan, Jakarta was a Dutch trading post.

In other words, it is a potato brought by the Dutch.

It can grow on thin land and is resistant to cold.

It requires little precipitation.

In other words, it is a crop that can be grown on land that is not suitable for growing wheat.

If I had to pick a drawback, it would be that it is prone to repeated crop failure.　Also, it can be destroyed by epidemics. We have to be careful about that.

So, there are pros and cons. What kind of crop is sweet potato?

Sweet potatoes.