Tianma is a common medicinal herb that is not only nutritious but also has high medicinal value. Tianma stewed chicken and Tianma fish head soup are well-known medicinal diets that can treat headaches, numbness in limbs, and infantile convulsions. Does Tianma need to be refrigerated for storage?
Does Tianma need to be refrigerated?
Fresh Tianma
Clean the surface of fresh Tianma, remove any dirt, drain the water, vacuum pack it, and store it in the refrigerator. This method of preserving fresh Tianma does not affect its nutrition and taste, and prevents it from becoming moldy or spoiled. However, please note that the optimal storage time is 3-4 months.
Dried Tianma
Dried Tianma can be stored in a sealed container in a cool and dry place. It can also be refrigerated, but make sure it is well sealed to avoid mixing flavors with other foods or absorbing moisture, which can cause it to become damp and spoil, affecting its efficacy.
How long can dried Tianma be stored?
Around 2-3 years.
Most Chinese herbs do not have specific expiration dates. If there is mold, oil leakage, or insect damage, it is considered expired and spoiled. Generally, dried Tianma can be stored for about 2-3 years. If you purchase Tianma from a store, the packaging will have detailed shelf life information that can be used as a reference for expiration.
Can expired dried Tianma still be consumed?
It depends.
Normally, the shelf life of Chinese herbs is uncertain. If Tianma has only passed its expiration date and there is no obvious mold or insect damage, it can still be consumed. However, if expired Tianma has clearly deteriorated, its nutritional value and efficacy may be compromised, and it may have also produced a large amount of bacteria, which can cause discomfort when consumed.
How to store dried Tianma?
Conventional storage method
Clean Tianma, dry the surface, and then vacuum seal it for storage in a cool and dry place.
Low temperature storage method
Seal dried Tianma in a plastic bag and refrigerate it. When needed, thaw the Tianma before use.
Moisture absorber drying method
Add a moisture absorber such as quicklime to a container, then wrap Tianma in paper and place it in the container for sealed storage.
What are the best ways to consume Tianma?
Tianma and Chuanxiong tea
Ingredients:
5g Tianma, 10g Chuanxiong, 3g Bai Zhi, 3g green tea.
Instructions:
1. Grind Chuanxiong, Tianma, and Bai Zhi into fine powder and mix well.
2. Place the mixed powder in a tea bag and seal it.
3. Put the tea bag and green tea in a teapot, pour boiling water, and steep for 15 minutes before drinking.
Tianma and Oolong soup
Ingredients:
500g squid, 15g Tianma slices, 30g Jinhua ham, 100g oilseed rape, 1 scallion, 1 piece of ginger, 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine, 1 tablespoon sugar, salt as needed.
Instructions:
1. Remove the bones from the squid, wash and remove the thin film from the surface, and cut into large pieces and put them in a soup pot.
2. Add 3000ml of cold water to the soup pot, add Jinhua ham slices, and bring to a boil. Skim off the surface foam.
3. Then add Tianma slices, ginger, scallion, Shaoxing wine, and sugar. Simmer over low heat for 80 minutes with the lid on.
4. Put cleaned oilseed rape in a pot, cook over medium heat without covering for 10 minutes, and add salt before serving.
