He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 98

< T&S Coffee's Birth >

Mr. Spencer reached under the table and pulled out a small pouch.

He untied the drawstring, opened it, and presented a handful of coffee beans for everyone to examine.

“These coffee beans come from the cherries harvested by a remarkable woman named Juba, a slave with an exceptional talent for selecting the finest coffee cherries.

And thanks to Mr. Sanderson’s enthusiastic contributions, we’ve developed a truly special bean using a novel coffee processing method. We’re now going to brew coffee using these beans.”

Theo had suggested drying the beans while retaining some of the pulp, a departure from Spencer’s method of complete pulp removal through fermentation.

This approach was specifically designed to preserve the rich flavor of the coffee cherry pulp that Juba had so carefully selected, and Mr. Spencer had eagerly adopted it.

“And I daresay, this coffee will possess a taste that can only be described as heavenly.”

The mention of a heavenly taste caused a ripple of excitement. The coffee beans they had just sampled were already extraordinary, but now they were promised an even greater experience.

“Juba! Please, come forward.”

Juba, who had been seated next to Sampson, stepped forward with a shy demeanor.

Mr. Spencer addressed Juba as she approached.

“Just proceed as we’ve practiced. Observe the grind of these coffee beans and tell me when it appears most optimal. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mr. Spencer.”

Months prior, Theo had informed Mr. Spencer about Juba’s innate sensory abilities.

After conducting several tests based on Theo’s insights, Mr. Spencer discovered that Juba’s senses were as sharp as those of his own twin children, if not more so, and he was delighted.

Since then, Mr. Spencer had consistently involved Juba in his roasting and grinding practices, and she had developed a considerable level of expertise.

Thump- Thump- Thump-

Whirr- Whirr-

Given the small quantity, the coffee beans were quickly transformed into a fine powder.

“Mr. Spencer! Now!”

At Juba’s signal, Mr. Spencer ceased grinding and brewed the coffee using the same flannel drip method as before.

Slowly, the true character of this special coffee began to emerge through its aroma.

Just when they thought they had experienced the full extent of surprises, the aroma shifted, taking on a new dimension and captivating everyone present.

“Oh- what’s happening now?”

“Wow- the aroma is incredible…”

Exclamations of admiration arose from all corners.

Mr. Spencer, as if anticipating this reaction, poured the filtered coffee into cups with a relaxed smile.

He then placed a cup of the filtered coffee on each table.

“Well, it’s ready. Please enjoy. However, please understand that I can’t offer generous portions, as this is a very precious coffee. Heh heh. This final cup concludes today’s tasting session.”

Mr. Spencer beamed with satisfaction.

Thud-

With a slightly trembling hand, Theo reached for the handle of the coffee cup on the table.

He was particularly intrigued because the processing method reflected his own input, but even before tasting it, the rich, deep aroma rising to his nose left him breathless.

The aroma was so exquisitely pleasing that he felt it was a shame it would dissipate.

He had never imagined that he would feel such reverence simply holding a cup of coffee.

Before it cooled, Theo slowly lifted the cup, savoring the precious aroma, and took a sip.

Slurp-

“Heh heh… Hehehe…”

A soft, involuntary laugh escaped Theo’s lips.

Generally, the inherent bitterness of coffee can be off-putting to newcomers.

Only after becoming accustomed to this bitterness can one truly appreciate the diverse and rich flavors hidden beneath.

Sweeteners like cream, honey, or sugar are often used to counteract the coffee’s bitterness.

However, artificial sweetness lacks naturalness and can easily mask the coffee’s inherent taste.

Therefore, Theo conceived the idea of preserving the natural sweetness of the cherries selected by Juba within the green beans.

Specifically, he suggested peeling the skin and pulp of the coffee cherries but drying them while leaving a significant portion of the pulp intact, where the intense sweetness resided.

As a result, the well-ripened natural sweetness permeated the dried green beans, creating a uniquely flavored coffee bean.

The rich and abundant aroma was balanced by acidity and bitterness, and the subtle sweetness significantly enhanced the overall taste of the coffee.

As it flowed smoothly down his esophagus, the aroma that filled his mouth and the savory, mild sweetness evoked a profound sense of happiness.

It was a unique and special coffee bean with a flavor and aroma unlike anything he had encountered in any café in the modern era.

Lord Butler inquired in disbelief.

“Are you certain you haven’t added any sugar or spices to this?”

“Yes. Not a single grain was added. It’s pure coffee brewed solely from the beans themselves.”

Elisa, gazing at the coffee cup with rapturous eyes, exclaimed.

“But how can it taste like this? It’s not overtly sweet, yet it possesses a sweetness, and the unique bitter taste of coffee is pleasantly balanced with a savory and mild flavor… It’s just a cup of liquid, but it feels like so many flavors are harmoniously intertwined!”

Becky, having quickly finished her cup, lamented with a regretful expression.

“Is this truly what heaven’s cookies taste like? I wish I could have more, it’s so wonderful.”

Before even tasting it, the deep and sweet aroma captivated them, and upon entering their mouths, it unveiled a completely different world with its bittersweet and smooth sweetness, leaving them in a state of blissful bewilderment.

However, unlike regular coffee, it didn’t overstimulate their nerves or sharpen their senses.

Instead, it calmed their minds and instilled a pleasant tranquility, akin to drinking tea.

‘It feels like it has an anti-anxiety effect.’

Anti-anxiety drugs are prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, reducing anxiety in patients with severe depression.

This coffee seemed to calm the mind and provide an immediate sense of psychological well-being, as if taking an anti-anxiety medication.

‘Wow- unlike drugs, this coffee doesn’t cloud my mind, and it doesn’t seem to impair my concentration. Is this the power of natural ingredients? Besides, this savory, mild, and sweet bitterness…’

Theo, who typically left some coffee unfinished, found every drop of this coffee too precious to waste.

‘……..’

Looking around, he observed the people seated at the table engaging in amiable conversation about the coffee.

Comfort and pleasant emotions radiated from their faces.

This coffee possessed a quality that made people feel good with its aroma and taste, and it also fostered a desire to connect and converse.

‘I initially aimed to increase profits by cultivating Blue Mountain coffee, but it seems I’ve stumbled upon a significant advantage. This coffee has a magical allure that’s hard to resist once you’ve tasted it.

Mass production will be challenging due to the extensive manual labor involved, but its exceptional aroma and taste, coupled with its inherent rarity, could lead to even greater profits, right?’

At that moment, Mr. Spencer quietly approached Theo and addressed him.

“Mr. Sanderson? What do you think? It seems the result turned out quite well, didn’t it? Heh heh.”

Theo smiled and gestured toward the black slaves.

“Look at them. They’re experiencing coffee for the first time in their lives, and if that’s their reaction, what need is there for my opinion? Haha.”

Mr. Spencer turned his gaze toward the black slaves.

An indescribably joyful feeling seemed to emanate from their expressions as they conversed while enjoying the coffee.

Lord Butler, Elisa, and Leonard had also become quite talkative.

“Mr. Sanderson, to be honest, I didn’t anticipate it tasting this exceptional. At the time, I wasn’t even considering the ‘flannel’ filter, and I was unaware that we had a slave with innate abilities like Juba on the farm. Furthermore, I never imagined that we would implement a new processing method based on Mr. Sanderson’s suggestion. Heh heh.”

Just then, Mr. Spencer’s twin son and daughter were seen laughing and conversing with people nearby.

“You’ve raised them admirably. With their striking appearances, social skills, and excellent education, they are knowledgeable and possess outstanding character. They must be incredibly reliable.”

Mr. Spencer couldn’t conceal his pleased smile at Theo’s words.

“Although they are of mixed race, they are my two most cherished treasures in the world. Perhaps they are even more precious than this coffee.”

“Yes, I believe so too.”

A fleeting expression of loneliness crossed Mr. Spencer’s face.

“Actually, I had hoped to keep those children by my side and care for them for the rest of my life. But upon reflection, I realized how monotonous and unfulfilling life here must be for them. It’s merely the futile desire of an old man who could pass away at any moment.”

“Don’t say that. You’re still in good health.”

Mr. Spencer offered a wry smile and hesitated before speaking to Theo with a hint of difficulty.

“Mr. Sanderson, I hope I’m not imposing by making such a request, but… would you consider doing me a favor?”

“Yes? A favor?”

“Yes. I didn’t want to burden you, so I’ve been hesitant to ask, but given the success of the coffee, I thought this would be the most opportune moment.”

“Yes, well. If it’s within my capabilities, I’ll gladly assist you.”

Mr. Spencer nodded gratefully and spoke with a newfound resolve.

“If possible, when you return to London, would you be willing to take our children with you? And I would be eternally grateful if you could provide them with some guidance until they establish themselves in London… I realize it’s an audacious request.”

“The twins to London?”

“Yes. It’s not solely because they are my children, but they possess remarkable talents. It would be a waste for them to spend their youth on this colonial island.

I’ve been contemplating sending them to London independently, but it hasn’t been easy. The children are of mixed race, and more importantly, I lacked someone I could trust.”

“……..”

“Then, I heard rumors about Mr. Sanderson, and after living with you for more than half a year, I’ve come to trust and respect you more than anyone else.

In London, where all sorts of unscrupulous individuals thrive, if someone as admirable as Mr. Sanderson could simply watch over these children, who lack social experience, and assist them in settling in, I would dedicate all my resources to this farm and help Mr. Sanderson’s farm flourish. What do you say?”

Although they weren’t his biological children, Mr. Spencer conveyed a more affectionate and desperate sentiment than any parent could.

Perhaps the reason he offered Theo such a groundbreaking condition of 1% of the net profit in the guise of technology transfer fees was with the twins’ future in London in mind.

After a moment of contemplation, Theo readily accepted the request.

“Well, they’re not young children who require constant supervision; they’re practically adults now, so it’s not an overly demanding task. I’ve always admired your children’s appearance and talents. I will accompany them to London and assist them in becoming independent.

Since I also have business interests in London, I will actively support them in whatever endeavors they choose to pursue.”

Mr. Spencer grasped Theo’s hand with a radiant expression.

“Oh my- thank you. Thank you so much.”

The rough and calloused hand conveyed the extent of his struggles over the years in building the coffee farm.

“Mr. Spencer, I also have something to discuss with you.”

“Tell me. I’ll do anything I can.”

“I believe we should name our coffee bean product. It seems somewhat lacking to simply refer to such an exceptional coffee as Theo Farm Coffee. How about creating a unique name?”

“Well, that’s entirely up to the farm owner.”

“So, I’ve been considering ‘T&S Coffee’.”

“T&S Coffee… Ah, is that an abbreviation for Theo Sanderson? It’s easy to pronounce and simple, so it’s perfect.”

“No. It’s a combination of my name and Mr. Spencer’s last name. In other words, ‘Theo & Spencer Coffee’ is the full name.”

Theo was referring to ‘T&S’ Coffee, named after the initials of ‘Theo’ and ‘Spencer’.

“No… Why my last name?”

“Wasn’t Mr. Spencer’s lifelong ambition to create a coffee that would astonish the world? That’s why you participated with minimal profit. If so, I believe you should at least have your last name associated with the coffee.

If it were Sanderson & Spencer, the pronunciation of SS is a bit unfortunate… So, I thought it would be special to use my name and Mr. Spencer’s last name. What do you think?”

Mr. Spencer was deeply moved by Theo’s unexpected suggestion and its underlying meaning.

His eyes slightly welled up as he replied in a trembling voice.

“Honestly, throughout my years of coffee farming and trading, I’ve always longed to create a coffee with my name attached to it. But after coming to Jamaica and failing at coffee farming, I thought I had completely abandoned that dream. How did you know about this old man’s ambition and make such a generous suggestion…”

“No. I should be the one expressing gratitude.”

“Thank you so much. I will take even greater pride in the coffee bearing my name and dedicate myself to this coffee farm until my dying day.”

“I would be incredibly grateful if you would do that. Haha.”

Thus, the coffee bean tasting session, announcing the birth of T&S Coffee, successfully concluded.