8 Criteria for Judging the Quality of Cordyceps Sinensis

1. Dry humidity

When it comes to the dryness and humidity of Cordyceps sinensis, this is actually related to its storage and preservation. You may not know that after drying, the moisture content of Cordyceps Sinensis will vary depending on the drying method, storage conditions and processing methods of the merchant.

The dryness of Cordyceps sinensis on the market varies greatly, which means that its moisture content is more or less. The dryness of common Cordyceps sinensis is mostly above 80%, but if the moisture content is too high, it will not be easy to sell. Cordyceps sinensis with a dryness content of 95% is of high quality but expensive. Therefore, when choosing, we have to weigh it based on dryness and price, which often requires a certain amount of experience to judge.

2. Fullness

The fullness of Cordyceps sinensis is related to its quality and look and feel. A plump Cordyceps sinensis looks fat and firm, which usually means it has absorbed sufficient nutrients during its growth and is a symbol of health. Such cordyceps are not only of high quality, but also have relatively higher medicinal value. Of course, the price of plump Cordyceps sinensis will be relatively high, but it is undoubtedly an excellent choice for gifts or personal use.

3. Cut off the grass

Broken grass, as the name suggests, is the Cordyceps sinensis accidentally broken during the process of digging, brushing, drying or transportation. Although the broken grass is not as beautiful as the intact Cordyceps sinensis in appearance, there is no significant difference in efficacy. For consumers who pay attention to health care, purchasing cut grass is actually a very cost-effective choice.

4. Threading

The phenomenon of banding is not uncommon in Cordyceps sinensis. This is mainly because Tibetans accidentally cut off the cordyceps during the mining process. Since wages are calculated by the root, Tibetans usually carry toothpicks and other tools with them to reconnect the two disconnected parts. Although Cordyceps sinensis may have some flaws in appearance, its medicinal value has not been greatly affected.

5. Dead grass

Dead grass, as the name suggests, is Cordyceps sinensis that dies due to environmental and other factors during its growth. This type of cordyceps is usually black in color, small in size, of poor quality, and not suitable for consumption. When purchasing, consumers should identify carefully to avoid purchasing dead grass.

6. Wrapped grass

The formation of wilted grass is closely related to the growth environment of Cordyceps sinensis. Generally speaking, Cordyceps grows in high mountain areas above 3,500 meters above sea level. From May to July, Cordyceps at different altitudes begins to grow.

As the grass head grows, part of the nutrients of the insect body are absorbed by the grass head, causing the insect body to become partially empty, which is the reason for the formation of deflated grass. When you pinch the deflated grass with your hands, you will feel that the insect body is flat and the flesh is not full. When purchasing, consumers should pay attention to identifying tattered grass to avoid purchasing products of poor quality.

7. Unify goods

Unification of goods means that when Tibetans harvest Cordyceps sinensis, they do not carry out grading, sorting and other processing, but mix Cordyceps sinensis of various qualities for sale. This transaction method is more common in bulk transactions, but for retail consumers, there may be certain risks in purchasing unified goods. Because cordyceps of different qualities may be mixed in the merchandise, consumers need to have certain identification skills when purchasing.

8. Selected grade cordyceps

In order to meet consumer demand for high-quality Cordyceps sinensis, selected grades of Cordyceps sinensis have appeared on the market. This type of cordyceps has undergone strict screening and quantification standards to ensure that there are no strips, no broken grass, no deflated grass, no dead grass, no mixed grass, and the dryness is maintained above 95%. At the same time, cordyceps with poor plumpness are also selected to ensure that each selected cordyceps meet high-quality standards. Cordyceps like this is an excellent choice whether for personal use or as a gift.