Hong Dou Kou (Red Galangal Fruit)

Hong Dou Kou (Red Galangal Fruit) (Slightly thinner in the middle of the oval shape, with a concave dot, reddish-brown color, brittle peduncle, seeds covered with yellowish-white aril, spicy and pungent)

【Naming】

Hong Dou Kou (Red Galangal Fruit)

 【Source】

Kai Bao (Materia Medica of Kai Bao)

 【Frequency of Use】

F

 【Botanical Origin】

The dried mature fruit of greater galangal Alpinia galanga Willd. (of the Zingiberaceae family).

 【Characteristics】

The dried fruit is 0.7~1.2 cm long and 0.5~0.7 cm in diameter. One end has a small concave dot (fruit stalk scar), and the other end is crowned with residual pale yellow perianth, up to 5 mm long. The outer skin is reddish-brown or date-red, slightly wrinkled, thin in texture, and easily crushed by hand. It contains 6 seeds, which are oblate, quadrilateral, or triangularly multifaceted, blackish-brown or reddish-brown, slightly glossy, with a layer of white film on the outside. When broken open, the inside is grayish-white endosperm, with a fragrant smell and pungent taste.

 【Identification】

The best quality is when the grains are full and the odor is spicy.

 【Category】

Fruits