A while ago, I wasn't feeling well and the doctor recommended that I buy some schisandra berries to make a tea. Now I'm feeling better, but I still have some schisandra berries left. I wanted to ask how I should store them.
How to Store Schisandra Berries
Schisandra berries are the dried mature fruits of the Schisandra plant in the Magnoliaceae family. Therefore, when storing schisandra berries, it is important to prevent moisture, mold, and insect damage.
Store in a Well-Ventilated Area
1. Sun-dry or dehydrate the schisandra berries to remove moisture.
2. Place the dried schisandra berries in a clean, resealable bag.
3. Store the bag in a cool, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight.
Store in the Refrigerator
1. Place the schisandra berries in a clean plastic bag.
2. Put the bag in a glass jar and seal it tightly to prevent moisture from entering.
3. Store the jar in the refrigerator's fresh-keeping compartment.
How Long Can Schisandra Berries be Stored?
Typically, schisandra berries can be stored for 2-3 years.
For Chinese medicinal herbs, if stored properly, herbal plants can be stored for about 2 years, woody plants for about 4 years, mineral-based herbs for about 10 years. As for fruit-based herbs like schisandra berries, they can be stored for approximately 2-3 years if they are well-preserved without mold, moisture, or insect damage.
Can Overdue Schisandra Berries Still be Consumed?
If they haven't gone bad, you can still consume overdue schisandra berries.
Schisandra berries are a common Chinese medicinal herb with the effects of astringency, tonifying Qi and generating fluids, nourishing the kidneys, and calming the mind. They can be used to treat chronic coughing, wheezing, nocturnal emissions, frequent urination, chronic diarrhea, excessive sweating, loss of body fluids, thirst, palpitations, and insomnia. Since schisandra berries are a type of fruit-based herb with a higher moisture content, they are prone to mold or insect damage. If the schisandra berries at home are well-preserved without mold or insect damage, they can be consumed.
How to Select Schisandra Berries
1. Appearance
When selecting schisandra berries, it is best to choose ones that are large, plump, purplish-red in color, oily, and shiny. High-quality dried schisandra berries have irregular spherical or oval shapes with a surface that appears purplish-red or reddish-brown, wrinkled, thick, and soft. Lower-quality schisandra berries have surfaces that are black-red, dark red, or light red, with thinner flesh and more shriveled grains.
2. Taste
High-quality schisandra berries have a distinctive aroma and a slightly sour and bitter taste when chewed. Lower-quality schisandra berries may have 1-2 seeds inside or a sour and astringent taste.
How to Consume Schisandra Berries
Soaking Schisandra Berries in Water
1. Crush the schisandra berries and put them in a cup.
2. Pour boiling water over the crushed berries.
3. Cover the cup and let it steep for about 15 minutes.
4. You can add more water 2-3 times during this period and drink it as a substitute for tea.
Cooking Schisandra Berry Porridge
Ingredients: 10g schisandra berries, 10g jujubes, 100g glutinous rice, and some rock sugar.
Instructions:
1. Crush the schisandra berries and remove the pits from the jujubes.
2. Wash the glutinous rice and put it in a pot with the crushed schisandra berries and jujubes.
3. Add an appropriate amount of water and cook the porridge.
4. After the porridge is cooked, add some rock sugar and continue cooking for about 5 minutes.
5. Consume it once in the morning and once in the evening.
Soaking Schisandra Berries in Alcohol
Ingredients: 50g schisandra berries, 100g rock sugar (adjust according to personal taste), and 500g white wine.
1. Wash the schisandra berries and put them in a glass bottle.
2. Add the rock sugar and pour in the white wine.
3. Seal the bottle and shake it once a day.
4. After soaking for half a month, it can be consumed.
5. Drink 15-20ml at a time, 1-2 times a day.
