Tian Zhu Huang (Bamboo Secretions) (Chunks or flakes, mixed with milky white, grayish-white, or grayish-blue. Light in weight, loose and brittle, easily broken, smooth and glossy, strong tongue adhesion is preferred.)
【Naming】
Tian Zhu Huang (Bamboo Secretions)
【Source】
Song Kai Bao
【Frequency of Use】
E
【Botanical Origin】
The dried secretions formed due to disease in the nodes of bamboo plants of the Gramineae family, such as Bitter Bamboo (Phyllostachys reticulata C. Koch) or Henon Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra Munro var. henonis Makino).
【Characteristics】
It is an irregular polygonal mass or flake, with a surface that is a mixture of milky white, grayish-white, or grayish-blue. Larger pieces are 1-1.5 cm, while smaller ones are only about 1-2 mm. It is light in weight, loose and brittle, and easily broken. The fracture surface is shiny, slightly powdery, and feels slippery to the touch. It has a strong water absorption capacity, producing bubbles when placed in water, and is insoluble in water. It has a sweet taste and a cool sensation, and it sticks to the tongue when licked.
【Identification】
《Pao Zhi Quan Shu》: “Bamboo Yellow has different shapes and sizes, and is light in weight with black and white ivory-colored differences. It tastes sweet, and the ivory-colored one is better.” 《Yao Xing Qie Yong》: “It is a piece formed by the essence of bamboo, and the one that looks like a bamboo joint is the real one.” 《Liang Lie Jian Bie》: “The one that is translucent like white wax is the best.”
The best quality is dry, large chunks, light yellowish-white, shiny, strong water absorption, and able to stick to the tongue.
【Category】
Other Categories