Fake Cordyceps

When it comes to identifying Cordyceps sinensis, many friends are worried about buying fake Cordyceps sinensis, and often send me photos on WeChat, asking me to help check whether the Cordyceps sinensis they bought is genuine. Don't be confused, I was shocked when I saw it. I was really shocked by the various counterfeit and shoddy products in the Cordyceps market. Common fake grasses include Cordyceps sinensis, Xinjiang Cordyceps and other Cordyceps species, while inferior Cordyceps sinensis include metal weight gain Cordyceps sinensis, broken grass, and empty Cordyceps sinensis.

How to identify fake Cordyceps sinensis and real Cordyceps sinensis

First look at the appearance

The insect head and grass head of the real Cordyceps sinensis grow together naturally, which looks very natural, without any sticky marks of fake Cordyceps sinensis. The insect body is arranged in groups of three rings, and the rings gradually become bolder from the top to the bottom. The insect legs are fixed in eight pairs. At present, the legs of some Cordyceps sinensis on the market are mostly of different sizes, so you should be cautious when purchasing. If conditions permit, you can peel off the Cordyceps sinensis to see if the color of the cross section is white, whether there are obvious textures, and whether there is a small white core similar to the letter V in the center of the cross section. These are all unique characteristics of the true Cordyceps sinensis appearance. , Cordyceps sinensis must have color, of course, it must be yellow. Tones that are too light, too dark, or too gray are not good things. The second point about the color being too light will be mentioned; the one that is too dark and gray has only two possibilities, either it is a gift box from the past, or it is moldy, or it is not completely cleaned.

Second, smell the flavor

When we open the packaged Cordyceps sinensis, it will exude a fragrant and rich mushroom aroma similar to that of oyster mushrooms. If you pick up a single Cordyceps sinensis, you can smell a faint fishy fragrance. The smell of fake Cordyceps sinensis is different. Some of them have no special smell no matter how close we smell them. Some also have the smell of fake spices or fishy smell. Cordyceps sinensis important news flavor. This is a little special, because laymen may generally have no idea what real Cordyceps tastes like. Well, generally you can smell the flavor within 5-10 grams. Generally, don't buy those that emit a pungent and dazzling smell, because they are vulcanized by some unscrupulous businessmen. In addition, if it has no taste at all, don't buy it, it will be a New Year's gift box. Normally Cordyceps sinensis will release the aroma of medicinal materials, which is natural.

Third, taste and check the cleanliness level

The passages of Cordyceps sinensis are as crisp as green peas, and the more you chew them, the more fragrant they become. Its aroma is similar to the sweetness of oyster mushrooms. When you put fake Cordyceps in your mouth and chew it, you will feel the hard, crushing and grinding feeling of chewing licorice. After being moistened with saliva, not only does it not have the aroma of oyster mushrooms, but it also continues to have a mouthful of soil taste.

This is very important!!! To see whether the Cordyceps sinensis is clean, mainly look at the part where the fruiting body and the insect body are connected. If there is mud there or it is not brushed clean, it is very easy to see. After all, Cordyceps sinensis is a precious medicinal material, and its weight is very important.

Fourth, try the touch and moisture content

Cordyceps sinensis is a precious Chinese herbal medicine. When you hold a handful in your hand, you can feel the layering of wheat straw, and it is almost so light that it feels weightless. Even if you rub the insect body and fruiting body back and forth in the palm of your hand, there will be no coloring. When you learn to hold Cordyceps sinensis, your hands will be covered with some sand and wood chips, but there will be no powder of unclear composition. Fake Cordyceps sinensis often reveals flaws in this regard. Look at the moisture content. This small amount can be ignored. If you are like me, you need to pay attention to one or two kilograms of goods. Just pinch it to see if the humidity is too high.

Fifth, soaking view

After the false Cordyceps is soaked in boiling water for 10 minutes, its original shape will gradually emerge, the yellow tire will fall off, and the pseudomycelium will also begin to fall off and separate from the insect body. Soak real Cordyceps sinensis in boiling water.