Chapter 179: Special Emblic Juice

As Li Xiao approached the juice shop, he was drawn in by the fresh, fruity aroma wafting from inside. The decor was a bit dated, but the space was kept immaculately clean. Aside from the signs of wear on the equipment and furnishings, the overall atmosphere was incredibly comfortable and inviting.

He watched the staff bustling about. Their movements were highly practiced as they peeled and shelled the fruit with meticulous care. Every step they took seemed professional and precise. Seven or eight freezers lined the shop, their glass doors displaying a colorful array of fresh fruit. Each one was stocked with a wide variety of produce—from common staples like apples, oranges, and snow pears to tropical treats like mangoes and kiwis. The different fruits were neatly categorized, looking from afar like vibrant blocks of color neatly arranged before his eyes.

Li Xiao turned to the four people beside him. "I’m a little thirsty and going to grab a drink. Do you guys want anything?"

Zhou Shishi hadn’t felt thirsty initially, but after he mentioned it, her throat suddenly felt a bit parched. "I see they have lemon tea. I’ll just have an iced lemon tea, boss."

"I want a watermelon smoothie," Wenchu People spoke up.

"I’ll have mango juice," Wen Yaqian added.

Once the three of them had placed their orders, Li Xiao turned to Xu.

Seeing Li Xiao look his way, Xu quickly waved his hands in polite refusal. "Please, just buy your own, Mr. Li. Don’t worry about me."

Li Xiao rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Just tell me! Otherwise, I’ll just get you a cup of durian juice!"

Obviously, the beverage shop didn’t sell such an outrageous concoction, but Xu felt too embarrassed to refuse Li Xiao’s kindness any further. "Then I’ll also have a watermelon smoothie. Thank you, Mr. Li."

Having gathered everyone’s orders, Li Xiao walked up to the counter and pulled out his phone to scan the QR code. He placed the others’ orders one by one, but then hesitated when it came to his own. The sheer variety of pure juices and fruit teas here was overwhelming, with over a hundred different options leaving him spoiled for choice. Soon, however, the name of one particular drink caught his eye: emblica juice.

Emblica was a very unique Southern crop. What was even more special was that it had different names in different regions: Mountain Yougan in Chaoshan, Wangguo in South Australia, Local Yougan in Chaoyang, Mountain Yougan Root in Chao’an, Yougan Root in Chaoyang, Yougan Tree in Wuhua, Youganzi in Yangcheng, Youganzai in Huiyang, as well as Revolution Fruit, Yougan Tree, and Yuganzi in Zhanjiang.

Li Xiao had only ever eaten fresh emblica before; he had never tried it as a juice, which immediately piqued his interest. He hadn’t even known this fruit could be juiced. After all, an emblica was only about the size of a fingernail. It would likely take a massive amount of them to produce a single cup of juice. More importantly, only the outer flesh was edible, as the fruit encased a rather large seed.

Intrigued by the logistics of it all, he tapped his screen and ordered a cold cup of emblica juice.

After confirming the payment, the receipt printer spat out the ticket with a rapid CLICK CLICK CLICK. A staff member immediately stuck the receipt onto a disposable cup and got to work. Li Xiao watched as the employee skillfully took a large box of emblica out of the freezer and began the preparation process.

First, the staff member took out a highly unique pair of tongs. They looked somewhat like the crab crackers used to pry open claws during a seafood meal, only much more slender. After the fruit was thoroughly washed twice, the employee picked up the tongs to rapidly pit them. With a gentle squeeze, the emblica split perfectly in two, revealing the dark brown pit inside. The extracted flesh and the pieces that stubbornly retained their pits were separated into different containers.

The staff member worked incredibly fast; in just two minutes, an entire large box of emblica had been processed. Next, the emblica pieces that still had their pits were placed onto a specialized grooved platform. These grooves were just the right size to hold a single fruit. Once all the pit-bearing fruits had rolled into their respective slots, the employee gently pressed a nearby lever. As the lever was pulled down, round-headed steel pins descended precisely onto the fruit. In an instant, the dark brown pits were punched straight out by the pins, though a fair amount of flesh was pushed out along with them.

Despite the slight waste, this efficiency was enough to leave Li Xiao amazed. He had previously guessed that pitting the fruit entirely by hand would take at least ten minutes just to prepare the ingredients for a single cup. But now, with the help of this specialized equipment, it took a mere three minutes for the employee to produce a large box of perfectly pitted emblica.

Next, the employee poured the emblica flesh into a blender, added the appropriate amount of ice and water, and began juicing. Over the WHIRR of the blender, Li Xiao watched the fruit get completely pulverized. The dark green juice mixed with the ice, and as more ice and water blended in, the dark green liquid inside slowly transformed into a vibrant lime green. When the blender was opened, the pulp and impurities were strained through a fine mesh filter. The pure, flawless juice was then poured into a disposable cup. Finally, the employee gently placed a thin slice of emblica on top as a garnish.

Soon, the rest of the drinks were finished one by one, and the group took their respective beverages and left the shop.

For Li Xiao, this cup of emblica juice provided an immediate visual delight. Inside the transparent disposable cup, the lime-green liquid shimmered with an enticing luster. He took a gentle sip. The initial bitterness quickly gave way to a refreshing crispness, which then gradually transitioned into a subtle sweetness. This evolution of flavor took him by surprise.

The taste of the emblica juice was incredibly unique. The upfront bitterness was like the early trials of life, bringing a sense of adventure that challenged the taste buds. But as time passed, the bitterness slowly receded, morphing into a delicate and elegant sweetness—much like the relief and satisfaction that followed a period of struggle. This shift in flavor brought him a completely new experience, as if he were savoring the different stages of life itself.

The sweetness in the juice wasn’t direct or overpowering; rather, it was a faint, refined sweetness accompanied by the distinctive fragrance of the emblica. Not only was this pleasant, but it also delivered such a refreshing mouthfeel that his entire palate felt purified. As he continued to drink, every sip of the juice felt like it was telling a little story, allowing him to truly appreciate the unique charm of this fruit.

Li Xiao couldn’t help but marvel at this beverage, which was simultaneously traditional and innovative. To him, this emblica juice was more than just a drink—it was the transmission and experience of a culture. Having finished his glass, his mood became exceptionally joyful.