Methods to identify true and false Cordyceps

1. Identify the color of the grass: "Color" brown-yellow. The appearance of Cordyceps sinensis is khaki to brown, with a yellowish-red head. Most of the "grass heads" are black, slender, flat in cross-section, and slightly yellow in color. Authentic Cordyceps is better if its body is yellow, bright, plump and enlarged, its cross section is yellow-white, not hollow, its base is short, and it has no mildew or impurities.

2. Look at the shape of the grass: the "shape" is like a silkworm. Cordyceps sinensis is shaped like a silkworm, usually with only one "grass head". There are very few cordyceps with multiple branched "grass heads". The "grass head" has a thick base and tapers at the end, with a length of .1~4 cm. The surface of genuine Cordyceps is rough and the rings are obvious, with most having 2 to 3 rings. Dried cordyceps are brittle and easy to break. After the cordyceps are broken, there will be a hollow or light gray small horseshoe-shaped mark on the cross section. The branch shape of Cordyceps sinensis is mostly slender or slightly curved. Fake Cordyceps has symmetrical bumps on one side and parallel stripes with equal gaps on the other side. It is usually made with a mold.

3. Soak Cordyceps: Soak the true Cordyceps in boiling water. The body of the cordyceps will become enlarged and soft, and the color of the bacterial base will become dark brown. The insect body and the bacterial base are closely connected and will not fall off. The infusion has a slight odor. After being soaked in boiling water for 1 minute, the fake Cordyceps will slowly show its original shape, the yellow embryo will fall off, and the pseudofungus base will also begin to fall off and separate from the insect body.

4. Smell the smell of grass: the "flavor" is strong and fishy. The genuine product has a natural mushroom aroma or a slightly fishy smell, while the counterfeit product is generally odorless.