PlumtonguePerhaps some people may not recognize what it is when they see a plumtongue.In life, we often eatPlumtonguePastrywhich is made from the plumtongue.When does the plumtongue come to market?Actually, the plumtongue generally comes to market in April and May.Moms should know when the plumtongue comes to market so that its quality can be guaranteed.

When does the plumtongue come to market

In Hangzhou dialect, the plumtongue is called "Beechi".Despite this phonetic similarity, it carries a fortunate connotation.During New Year's time, saying that all provisions are ready signifies prosperity and a happy life.Therefore, the plumtongue will always be popular when it comes to market.When does the plumtongue come to market

The plumtongue is usually dug and brought to market in winter and spring, generally around April and May.The plumtongue is an underground rhizome that swells at the apex.At this time, it is flat-round, smooth-skinned, with a deep chestnut brown color orRaisinred, with 3 to 5 rings and a short beak-like terminal bud and lateral buds, white flesh, crisp and tender, juicy and sweet.

There are many varieties of plumtongue available at market; when choosing, make sure the root is flat without pits.If you prefer something a bit older, choose those with blackened skin.Those that appear redder are usually more tender.

When does the plumtongue mature

The growth of the plumtongue involves sprouting, budding, and forming the bulb, then flowering to maturation. When exactly does it reach maturity?

Generally speaking, by the time of the Cold Dew in late October, the bulbs have formed. By mid-November after the Start of Winter, as the above-ground stem gradually turns yellow, the bulbs are fully mature with their skin turning from white to yellow-brown or red.By the end of December through early January, the sugar content is highest.

Therefore, do not dig up the plumtongue immediately; it's best to wait until after Cold Dew when the sugar content peaks for maximum sweetness and nutritional value.

What are the varieties of plumtongue

Plumtongue, known as "Ma Ti" in Guangzhou and Hong Kong, has different varieties due to varying soil conditions. These differences affect their shape, nutrition, size, quality, and use.Understanding the types helps us better choose our plumtongue.

1, Guilin Ma Ti from Guilin City, Guangxi Province.It is flat-round, with a strong terminal bud, and lateral buds often grow together, hence called "three masts".The skin is reddish-brown, the flesh white. Each weighs about 30 grams, mainly for fresh consumption, can also be cooked or processed, high in sugar, crisp and tasty.It grows vigorously, with strong resistance to falling over.2, Water Ma Ti from Guangdong Province.

Also flat-round, the terminal bud is longer. The skin is dark-brown, flesh white. Each weighs about 10 grams. Rich in starch for cooking and making flour.Grows vigorously, strong against adverse conditions, tolerant of moisture but not storage-friendly.3, Jiao Ji from the Philippines.Large and elliptical, each weighs around 25 grams. Crisp and sweet with good quality, mainly for fresh consumption.4, Xiaogang Ji from Xiaogang City in Hubei Province.

Flat-round, bright red skin, about 22 grams per piece, thin skin, sweet taste, fine texture, mainly for fresh consumption. Good quality.5, Su Ji from Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province.

Flat-round terminal bud is sharp with a smooth navel, thin skin, white flesh, weighs around 15 grams each. Suitable for processing into canned products.6, Yu Hang Ji from Yu Hang County in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province.

Flat-round, straight and robust terminal bud, light reddish-brown skin, thin skin, sweet taste, about 20 grams per piece. Suitable for canning or fresh consumption.Effects of plumtonguePlumtongue is a perennial aquatic plant.In medicine, "Ma Ti" also holds its place.It has a cool and sweet taste, enters the lungs, stomach, and liver meridians. It clears heat, cools the heart, moistens the lungs, and soothes the liver.

The green plumtongue stem is called "Penglitian", also cool and bitter in nature, it can clear heat, detoxify, and benefit the kidneys by promoting urination.Effects of plumtongue include:

1. Treating respiratory diseases.

Eating fresh plumtongue helps prevent influenza, mumps, pertussis, and acute tonsillitis during high incidence seasons.2. Promoting bowel movements and urination.Plumtongue contains crude protein and starch which aid in digestion. It is used clinically to treat indigestion and constipation caused by heat.Water extracts of plumtongue can help urinate, making it a good dietary remedy for urinary tract infections.3. Treating diabetes.

The crisp texture helps quench thirst and is beneficial for diabetics as well.4. Clearing lung heat and phlegm.

Cool in nature, plumtongue can clear lung heat, rich in mucilage, it has a moistening effect on the lungs to help expel phlegm, treating lung heat cough with yellow sticky phlegm.5. Functional uterine bleeding.Functional uterine bleeding often manifests as menstrual irregularity and abnormal vaginal bleeding.Modern medicine classifies it into ovulatory and non-ovulatory types. Practical studies show that using plumtongue and shepherd's purse in food therapy can be beneficial for women with functional uterine bleeding.6. Other clinical applications.Plumtongue helps relieve dry mouth, sore throat, and hangovers. For high blood pressure, constipation, and hemorrhoids, fresh plumtongue is recommended, its juice externally applied can help heal breast fissures in women. If made into powder, it can be taken to soothe the throat and clear phlegm.Plumtongue combined with sea cucumber can treat goiter.

Suitable groups for plumtongueWith high nutritional value and medicinal benefits, almost everyone can consume plumtongue but not everyone should.

Some specific groups are more suitable:Children and those with fevers find it beneficial. Coughing with phlegm, sore throat, indigestion, and constipation patients also benefit from its consumption.

High blood pressure, constipation, diabetes, frequent urination, difficulty in urination, and flu prevention can be aided by plumtongue.Infants can eat plumtongue as it is rich in phosphorus which promotes growth and development. It aids digestion and balances body fluids.Plumtongue should not be eaten by children with weak digestive systems or cold constitutions, or those with blood stasis.Pregnant women are generally advised against eating plumtongue as it is a cooling and slippery food that may trigger uterine contractions.Modern medicine generally classifies dysfunctional uterine bleeding into two major categories: ovulatory and anovulatory.Ovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding is commonly found in women of childbearing age, while anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding is more common in adolescent or perimenopausal women.Practical experience has shown that using water chestnut andwinter purslanefor medicinal diet therapy can have good effects on female functional uterine bleeding.

6. Other commonly used clinical functions.Water chestnuts can treat symptoms such as red tongue with little moisture, dry throat pain, and drunkenness.For patients with hypertension, constipation, or hemorrhoids, fresh water chestnuts should be eaten; mashed and applied externally can also treat breast fissures in women.When made into water chestnut powder and taken internally, it clears the throat and dissolves phlegm, greatly benefiting the health of the voice box.Water chestnuts withsea cucumbercan be cooked to treat goiter.

The for water chestnuts

With their high nutritional value and beneficial effects, water chestnuts are suitable for general consumption. However, it does not mean that everyone can eat water chestnuts.Water chestnuts also have certain groups of people who should consume them.

1. Children and fever patients are most water chestnuts. Those with coughing and phlegm, dry throat pain, digestive problems, constipation, or cancer can also eat more.

2. For patients with hypertension, constipation, diabetes with excessive urination, small intestine infection, urinary tract infections, as well as those who want to prevent the spread of meningococcal disease and influenza, water chestnuts have certain therapeutic effects, and they can also help prevent the spread of these diseases.

3. Babies can eat water chestnuts; water chestnuts contain phosphorus, which is relatively high in root vegetables, promoting baby growth and development and satisfying physiological function needs. It benefits tooth and bone development and promotes metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins within the body, regulating acid-base balance,

4. Water chestnuts are not suitable for children with weak digestive ability, spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, or those with blood stasis.

5. Although water chestnuts are rich in nutrients, many people do not recommend pregnant women eat them.Due to its cold and slippery nature, water chestnuts may have an impact on early pregnancy and can promote uterine contractions, potentially leading to miscarriage.