What Is the Difference Between Huangcao and Shihu? One Article Explains How to Tell Them Apart

When Shihu is mentioned, many people think of Tiepi Shihu, which can not only be brewed as tea, used in soups, but also stewed with Chinese herbs to nourish the body. So what is the difference between Huangcao and Shihu?

1. Among all Huangcao Shihu varieties, Zhipi Shihu (Dendrobium devonianum) and Tiepi Shihu (Dendrobium officinale) are fairly similar in shape, taste and growing environment. We have already made a dedicated feature comparing the differences between the two from many aspects. When they are sold as goods, telling the two apart is simple: take a sample and chew it directly. Zhipi Shihu leaves more residue, has less gelatinous substance, and is not as glutinous in taste as Tiepi Shihu. The fresh stems of Zhipi Shihu and Tiepi Shihu are also not hard to distinguish. Zhipi Shihu can reach more than 2 m in length, while Tiepi Shihu mostly stops growing and tapers to a tip at around 40 cm. Moreover, Zhipi Shihu drops its leaves in winter, while Tiepi Shihu does not, so from November to March, the one with leaves is Tiepi.

2. After Huangcao Shihu is made into Fengdou, the color is also basically similar, and the effective way to tell them apart is still to taste them. Apart from Zhipi Shihu, most counterfeit products have a bitter taste. Judging by appearance, the cut surface diameter of Tiepi Shihu Fengdou rarely exceeds 0.5 cm, and the workmanship is fine, generally with four spiral threads. Shuicao Fengdou, because the plant is small, is very difficult to make into the appearance of Tiepi Fengdou.

3. In terms of commercial processing, Tiepi Shihu Fengdou is made by drying and baking, then manually twisting one piece at a time. Huangcao Shihu is generally dried after harvest and then cut into small sections 1 cm long.

4. Tiepi Shihu is among the Huangcao Shihu varieties the best in both taste and effects, and is also deeply loved by everyone. Other Huangcao Shihu varieties with relatively strong effects, such as Mabian Shihu (Dendrobium fimbriatum), Jinchai Shihu (Dendrobium nobile), and Meihua Shihu (Dendrobium chrysanthum), are mostly used medicinally because they taste poor, are bitter, and leave much residue.

5. In terms of price, the dried products of Huangcao Shihu such as Meihua Shihu, Jinchai Shihu and Mabian Shihu currently cost about 50 yuan per jin, while the price of Tiepi Fengdou is about 1000 yuan per jin, a very big difference.

6. In terms of yield, ordinary Huangcao Shihu does not demand much from its growing environment and can be harvested once a year, with a very high yield per mu. Tiepi Shihu has relatively harsh requirements for its growing environment, so its yield falls far short of market demand. Therefore, Tiepi Shihu is rarely used as medicine and is generally sold as a commodity in the consumer market.