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The Ultimate Guide to Authenticating Winter Insect Grass: A Simple and Accurate Method

Introducing the elusive and prestigious Cordyceps Sinensis, a precious herbal remedy revered by many. Uncover the secrets to distinguishing genuine Cordyceps from counterfeits with our simple and accurate guide. This revered tonic has been a staple in traditional medicine, and now you can ensure you are acquiring the real deal.

Administrator

15 July, 2024

How to tell the difference between real and fake Cordyceps, and what to look for when buying? These are considered basic questions about Cordyceps. So, today let’s join us in exploring the information surrounding Cordyceps to answer the above questions.

1 How to Identify Real and Fake Cordyceps

To distinguish between real and fake Cordyceps, you need to follow some of the following identification methods:

Observe the external shape

Shape and Form

Distinguish by shape and form

Real Cordyceps has a shape resembling a silkworm. The thinner, brownish head end, and the thicker, yellow-brown, dark yellow, or coffee-colored tail end with distinctive stripes around it.

Length

Distinguish by length

Each branch of Cordyceps is about 5-8cm long. The head end is about 2-3cm long, and the tail end is about 3-5cm long.

Ridges and Grooves

Distinguish by ridges and grooves

The tail end usually has 20-30 ridges, and every 3 ridges form a fold that wraps around the body. The head end has shallower and finer grooves.

Fake Cordyceps, on the other hand, often has flat folds due to being molded.

The “Head” End

Distinguish by the “head” end

In real Cordyceps, the joints between the head and the tail end are very well connected. Notably, the essence of Cordyceps lies in the head end, so if it breaks, the Cordyceps loses its value.

Additionally, the head end usually has 3 main colors: The tip and end are dark brown to light black, the middle is coffee brown or yellow, and the remaining parts are brighter.

Legs

Distinguish by the number of legs

Real Cordyceps has 8 pairs of legs on the tail end, with 3 pairs of small, degenerated legs near the head, 4 pairs of symmetrical legs in the middle, and 1 leg at the very end.

Fake Cordyceps, on the other hand, usually has fewer or more than 8 pairs of legs.

Cross-section (Back)

Distinguish by cross-section

When cutting across the back of real Cordyceps, you will see a white, non-fibrous core with a black, V-shaped digestive tract in the middle.

Eyes

Distinguish by the eyes

Real Cordyceps has a reddish-brown color with a coppery sheen at the joint between the head and tail ends, or the “eyes.” Fake Cordyceps, on the other hand, lacks this feature, and the eyes are usually a deep black.

Color

Distinguish by color

Real Cordyceps typically has colors like yellow-brown, yellowish-copper, and dark brown. While individual Cordyceps may have similar shades, the distribution of colors varies.

Fake Cordyceps, on the other hand, is usually a uniform yellow or dark brown.

Touch

Distinguish by touch

Real Cordyceps is very light because it has been dried. Fake Cordyceps, on the other hand, feels heavier due to the addition of lead inside to increase its weight.

Smell

Distinguish by smell

Real Cordyceps has a distinctive earthy smell, similar to that of a forest. Holding a few Cordyceps in your hand, the scent is subtle, but opening a box containing many will release a strong, characteristic fragrance.

Fake Cordyceps, on the other hand, often smells of chemicals or perfume.

Taste

Distinguish by taste

When chewed, real Cordyceps has a slightly fishy, nutty, and earthy taste, similar to ginseng. Fake Cordyceps, on the other hand, has a strong taste of soil and tends to stick to teeth when chewed for a long time, with a hardness resembling clay.

Silkworm Chrysalis is Not Cordyceps

Silkworm chrysalis is not Cordyceps

Silkworm chrysalis is a laboratory-grown variety, typically bright yellow-orange and growing in clusters. It usually has less nutritional value than natural Cordyceps.

2 Tips for Buying Real Cordyceps

Tips for buying real Cordyceps

Request the seller to provide certificates of origin issued by relevant authorities.
Ensure the business has a license to operate and is reputable and well-known.
Demand test reports for the main active ingredients of Cordyceps.
Insist on having a comparison chart to self-check and distinguish between real and fake Cordyceps.

We have provided some useful information about Cordyceps. If you are interested in this topic, feel free to explore other aspects as well.

Frequently asked questions

Winter Insect Grass, or ‘Xiao Cai’, is a rare and precious traditional Chinese medicine. It is the dried body of an insect that lives under the snow and emerges only during the winter. This herb is believed to possess remarkable health benefits, including boosting the immune system, improving blood circulation, and even prolonging life.

Authenticating Winter Insect Grass can be done through a simple and accurate method. Firstly, genuine Winter Insect Grass should have a unique fragrance, similar to that of snow and herbs. Secondly, the texture of the grass should be soft and fluffy, almost like cotton. Lastly, when burned, authentic Winter Insect Grass will produce a white, odorless ash.

Yes, genuine Winter Insect Grass has a distinct appearance. It should be white or slightly yellow in color, with a fluffy and cotton-like texture. Each strand of the grass should be relatively long, measuring around 3-5 centimeters.

Consuming fake Winter Insect Grass can have serious health implications. Counterfeit products may contain harmful chemicals and toxins that can lead to digestive issues, organ damage, and even cancer. It is crucial to ensure the authenticity of this herb before consumption to avoid any potential health risks.

Reputable herbal shops and traditional Chinese medicine stores are the best places to purchase Winter Insect Grass. It is advisable to buy from established and trusted brands that have a reputation for selling authentic products. Additionally, some online retailers specialize in selling high-quality, genuine Winter Insect Grass.