1, look at the shape
The color of fake Cordyceps sinensis is better than that of real Cordyceps sinensis. Grassland cordyceps is different from forest cordyceps; Grassland Cordyceps is brown, big and soft. Forest Cordyceps sinensis is brown, full and firm. As long as the two kinds of Cordyceps are true Cordyceps, the crushed pulp is white, with black spots and pith cavities.
In addition, the joint between the head of Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps sinensis is well matched, and there is no obvious adhesion trace; True worms have ring patterns, which are arranged in groups of three, and the ring patterns near the head are thinner; Cordyceps sinensis is a symmetrical protrusion on one side and a stripe with equal parallel gaps on the other side, which is usually cast by mold.
Step 2 smell it
Real Cordyceps sinensis has a natural mushroom aroma and a slight fishy smell, while fake Cordyceps sinensis generally has no smell.
3. Try to feel it
If you grab a handful of Cordyceps sinensis in your hand, it will have the texture of hay, almost light and weightless. The worm body and the pedestal rub back and forth in the palm of your hand without staining. When you put down Cordyceps sinensis, there will be no powder with unknown composition except some sediment and sawdust, and fake Cordyceps sinensis often has defects in these aspects.
Step 4 taste
The entrance of Cordyceps sinensis is as crisp as mung beans, and the more you chew it, the more fragrant it is, and the fragrance is similar to the sweetness of mushrooms. When the fake cordyceps sinensis is chewed in the mouth, it will have the feeling of hard grinding teeth. After being wetted by saliva, there is not only no smell of mushrooms, but also a feeling of earthy flavor.
5, soaking view
After soaking in boiling water for 10 minutes, Cordyceps sinensis will slowly show its original shape, yellow embryos will fall off, and pseudobacteria will begin to fall off and separate from the insect body. After the Cordyceps sinensis is soaked in boiling water, the worm body becomes swollen and soft, and the color of the fungus base turns dark brown, and the worm body is closely connected with the fungus base and does not fall off. The immersion liquid has a slight smell.