Can Cordyceps be eaten if it is moldy?

Cordyceps sinensis is also known as Cordyceps sinensis. It is very precious as a very nourishing health product or medicinal material. Most of them are regarded as excellent gifts for relatives and friends, or bought for personal consumption. Due to its high price and scarce resources, in many cases people are reluctant to eat it or don’t know how to eat it after buying it, so they store it temporarily. Over time, it may become moldy. So, can Cordyceps sinensis still be eaten if it becomes moldy?

Unprocessed Cordyceps sinensis is very easy to deteriorate, become hollowed out and moldy during storage due to the breeding of bacteria, mold and even parasites and high moisture content. Not only does it lose its medicinal value, it can also be harmful to the body. Studies have shown that moldy substances can lead to a significantly increased incidence of liver cancer and digestive tract cancer. Even soaking in white wine or alcohol cannot remove them, and washing and drying them are even more impossible to eliminate. They must never be eaten.

In terms of efficacy, not only has the efficacy been lost, but more importantly, even if the mildew spots on the surface are removed, the aflatoxin contained in it cannot be removed. Aflatoxin is a strong carcinogen. Animal experiments have shown that it takes as little as 24 weeks for aflatoxin to cause cancer. It has relatively stable chemical properties and can only be destroyed at high temperatures above 280°C. It is recommended that you pay attention to the storage method of expensive Cordyceps sinensis. Usually the humidity of Cordyceps sinensis should be kept between 5%-8%, and it is best to store it in the refrigerator.

Whether moldy Cordyceps sinensis can be eaten depends on the specific situation. Although Cordyceps sinensis is expensive, after all, if it becomes moldy, it will affect its effectiveness and safety for consumption. You should not continue to use it just because you feel bad about spending money. That’s all the suggestions I can give for now regarding the question of “Can Cordyceps be eaten even if it’s moldy?”