Tsaoko Fructus (Oblong-elliptic, bluntly three-angled, greyish-brown, leathery and tough, with longitudinal grooves and ridges, seeds white, spicy)

Tsaoko Fructus Kernel

[Naming]

Tsaoko Fructus

 [Source]

Yinshan Zhengyao (Proper and Essential Things for the Emperor’s Diet)

 [Frequency of Use]

C

 [Botanical Origin]

Dried ripe fruit of Amomum tsaoko Crevost et Lemaire. (family Zingiberaceae)

 [Characteristics]

Oblong-elliptic, bluntly three-angled, 2-4 cm long, 1-2.5 cm in diameter. Apex with a rounded protuberance, base attached with a short fruit stalk. Surface grayish-brown to reddish-brown, with prominent longitudinal grooves and ridges. Pericarp tough, easily torn longitudinally. Ovary 3-loculed, each locule containing 8-11 seeds, clustered into a long, globular shape. Seeds four-sided to multi-faceted, 5 mm long and wide, surface reddish-brown, with grayish-white membranous aril, with longitudinal straight striations. Texture hard, grayish-white inside after breaking open. Odor weak, seeds emit a peculiar odor when crushed, taste pungent and spicy.

 [Processing]

Ginger-prepared Tsaoko Fructus

 [Identification]

The larger, plumper ones with a reddish-brown surface are preferred.

 [Category]

Fruits