How is honeysuckle processed? A detailed explanation of processing methods
The processing of honeysuckle includes rough processing and fine processing (deep processing), etc. Here we focus on rough processing.
(1) Sulfur fumigation: After removing branches, leaves and impurities from the harvested honeysuckle, it can be fumigated. For a small amount of flowers, small wooden cabinets, water vats, rice steaming baskets, etc. can be used for fumigation; for a large amount of flowers (over 200 jin), a sulfur fumigation pool can be built for fumigation. Two to three layers can be set up inside the pool, with each layer 40 cm apart, and bamboo mats laid on them. Then spread the honeysuckle on the bamboo mats (be careful not to press the honeysuckle tightly), and each layer should have two ventilation holes. Each layer should be covered with burlap or cloth to prevent air passage or allow little air passage. After the sulfur is burned, generally fumigating for 12 hours is enough. Thoroughly fumigated honeysuckle is soft and warm and retains its original color, while flowers that are not thoroughly fumigated become hard.
The collection of honeysuckle coincides with the Grain Rain season, and most of the time it is cloudy and rainy, so it cannot be dried all at once in the sun. Honeysuckle after sulfur fumigation can be stored temporarily for a period of time. The individual practice is: choose a brick pool, wooden barrel or water vat, bamboo basket, etc., lay a layer of clean plastic film inside, put the freshly sulfur-fumigated honeysuckle in it, wrap it well so that the sulfur does not dissipate, and it can be kept for about one month. When the weather turns clear, dry it again in the sun.
(2) Using a curing barn to dry with slow fire: A pipeline type is used inside the curing barn to make the temperature in the barn uniform. The pipeline must be sealed and must never leak smoke. Several layers are set up indoors, and the honeysuckle is spread on each layer to a thickness of about one cun. After loading is completed, the fire can be started. Pay attention to controlling the indoor temperature. First it should rise gradually from low to high, and the highest temperature must not exceed 70°C. When the honeysuckle is about 70 to 80 percent dried, it should be taken out and air-dried.