I've been coughing pretty badly recently, and a friend suggested that I buy some Chuanbei to eat. The Chuanbei I ate didn't have any bitterness, but my friend said that Chuanbei should be bitter. So I want to ask, is Chuanbei bitter or not?
Is Chuanbei Bitter?
It is slightly bitter, but the bitterness is not very pronounced.
Chuanbeimu is a perennial herb of the lily family and is also a precious traditional Chinese medicine. It has a sweet and slightly bitter taste and a cool nature. It has the effects of nourishing the lungs, suppressing cough, and resolving phlegm. It is suitable for treating coughs caused by external wind-heat, chronic cough due to lung deficiency, and dry throat due to insufficient phlegm. There are many varieties of Chuanbei, and genuine Chuanbei has a slight bitterness, but the bitterness is not very strong.
Is Bitter or Non-Bitter Chuanbei Better?
Too bitter or completely non-bitter is not good.
Genuine Chuanbei should have a slightly bitter taste with a hint of sweetness. If Chuanbei tastes very bitter or completely non-bitter, it is likely that other additives have been added or it has been replaced with fake Chuanbei. Therefore, we should be careful when purchasing Chuanbei.
Does Steaming Chuanbei for a Longer Time Make It More Bitter?
Generally, it does not.
Since Chuanbei itself is not very bitter, steaming and cooking Chuanbei usually weakens the bitterness even further. Especially when many people like to steam Chuanbei with snow pear, the sweetness of the pear can completely mask the slight bitterness of Chuanbei. Therefore, in general, genuine Chuanbei steamed for a longer time will not have a very pronounced bitter taste.
How to Differentiate Genuine and Fake Chuanbei?
Observe the Appearance
There are many varieties of Chuanbei, and the most common and precious one is Songbei. Its shape is conical or nearly spherical, and the color is milky white. The outer scales tightly embrace the small scales, leaving a crescent shape on the unembraced part, commonly known as "embracing the moon in the arms." If it is a fake, the appearance will be different, and the color may be overly white, indicating bleaching or substitution with other crops.
Touch with Hands
Genuine Chuanbei feels like normal plant particles when touched with hands, and Chuanbei powder is also particularly delicate and lightweight. Fake Chuanbei feels like wax when touched, smooth and slippery, and fake Chuanbei powder feels like lime powder.
Smell the Odor
Genuine Chuanbei has a slight bitter smell, but it won't be unpleasant. Some people may find it slightly fishy. Fake Chuanbei does not have this smell or may have other odors.
Taste the Flavor
Genuine Chuanbei, when cooked, will not have a pronounced bitter taste. If other herbs or foods are added, the taste of Chuanbei can be completely changed. Fake Chuanbei, even after cooking, will still have a noticeable bitter and astringent taste.
How to Use Chuanbei for the Best Cough Relief?
Stewed Snow Pear with Chuanbei
Ingredients: 3g Chuanbei, 1 snow pear, appropriate amount of rock sugar.
Directions:
1. Grind the Chuanbei into fine powder and wash the snow pear.
2. Cut off the top of the snow pear to use it as a cover.
3. Remove the core of the snow pear and fill it with Chuanbei and rock sugar. Cover with the pear top.
4. Place the pear in a stewing pot and simmer in a water bath for about 2 hours.
5. Let it cool slightly before consumption.
Lily and Chuanbei Soup with Tremella
Ingredients: half a piece of Tremella, 50g lotus seeds, 10g Chuanbei, appropriate amount of rock sugar.
Directions:
1. Wash the lotus seeds and soak them in water for about 2 hours.
2. Soak the Tremella in water until soft, then tear it into small pieces.
3. Put the lotus seeds, Tremella, Chuanbei, and rock sugar in a pot.
4. Add an appropriate amount of water. (It is recommended to add a little more water.)
5. Cook for 2-3 hours.
