Cao Xian, also known as Xiancao and Cao Xian, is widely distributed in the southeast coast of China and Taiwan Province Province. Originally just a weed, now it has become a large number of cultivated artificial varieties due to the needs of the food industry. In addition to meeting domestic demand, it is also exported to Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea.

Cao Xian is a traditional medicinal and edible plant, which is mainly used to make herbal tea in the food field. Diancao made from it is very popular in Guangdong, Fujian, Taiwan Province and Southeast Asia. The bean jelly is dark brown, so it is also called black bean jelly.

The condensation of fairy grass:

Kansai, Taiwan Province, has become the main producing area of Cao Xian due to its mild temperature and humidity in summer, which is beneficial to the growth of Cao Xian. Although the area of Cao Xian planted here is not the highest in Taiwan, it has the largest output, the best quality, rich fragrance and high gum content, and all the raw materials used to make Cao Xian come from here.

In theory, Mesona polysaccharide can form gel, but the extraction efficiency is low, and the domestic concentration is not enough, so it is difficult to freeze it independently, and other components are often needed to assist. The simplest thing is to add starch, but not all starch will do. The molecular structure of different starches is different, and amylose and Mesona polysaccharide cooperate well with each other.

Therefore, waxy corn starch, potato starch and sweet potato starch have poor effects, while cassava, peas, mung beans and corn starch are easier to freeze.

What does Xiancao look like? Chiffodil is a traditional specialty drink in southwest Fujian. Among them, in China, the authentic ancient practice is to cook directly with grass, while others make it with fairy grass and grass juice. Besides being popular in parts of Taiwan Province, Fujian and Zhejiang, Xiancao is also popular in Japan and Southeast Asia.

Fairy grass is said to be famous for its dried fairy grass in Jiuhua Mountain, Miaoli County, Taiwan. Decades ago, people ate Cao Xian, mainly by cutting it into small cubes, and then simply adding sugar water and crushed ice. Although there are hot drinks, it is better to eat them frozen. Add lentils in sugar water and black pearls with elastic teeth, and the ice is refreshing and calm.

In summer, a bowl of chilled grass can completely remove the sultry blood gas in the internal organs, which is a holy product for relieving summer heat. In winter, hot grass is also a kind of dessert that makes consumers feel warm. When eating, add peeled peanuts, refined powder balls, flower beans, mung beans, red beans and other materials that have been fried or cooked in advance, add sugar and stir before eating.

The legend of the name Cao Xian:

Cao Xian is a millet, which is shaped like mint leaves, small in green, and more common in low-altitude foothills. A long time ago, because of the inconvenient transportation, people went in and out by their legs, and it was easy to get heatstroke on the road in hot weather. A magical doctor painted passers-by with a kind of grass plant with special fragrance, and people will get well soon after eating it. People think that this magical grass was given by the gods, so it was named "Cao Xian".

People say that grass is burning grass. What does it look like? Grass is millet, which is an annual perennial herb. Its shape is similar to mint leaves. Planting can benefit many years in one year, and the height can reach 100 cm. Leaves opposite, blooming in late autumn. Cymbals are arranged in terminal racemes, 2~8 cm long; Corolla white or reddish, 3~3.5 mm long, upper lip wide and large, with 4 teeth, middle 2 teeth inconspicuous, lower lip boat-shaped. More common in low-altitude foothills. Born in ditches and dry sandy grasslands.

Cao Xian is an important medicinal and edible plant resource, belonging to the genus Panicum in Labiatae. The dry sample of Cao Xian's whole grass contains about 70% Cao Xian carbohydrate, a small amount of protein, fat, pigment and so on. , but also contains more mineral elements.

Cao Xian has the functions of clearing away heat and relieving summer heat, reducing fever and benefiting water. Indications: heatstroke, toxic heat, thirst, hypertension, nephropathy, diabetes, joint muscle pain, gonorrhea, etc.