In the threshing ground, the sun was getting hotter and hotter. The members of the first team surrounded Lin Zhiyue and carefully observed the preparation process of Astragalus. Their eyes were full of joy of harvest and eager to try the actual operation.
Lin Zhiyue looked at everyone with a smile and encouraged: "Okay, now everyone knows the process, so let's get started. Remember, every step must be done carefully, and feel free to ask me if you have any questions." The members of the first team immediately dispersed, picked up their tools, and began to carefully prepare the astragalus according to the method taught by Lin Zhiyue.
For a moment, the sound of washing, cutting vegetables and frying in iron pans could be heard on the threshing ground; everyone was working busily.
Seeing that the first team was working in an orderly manner, Lin Zhiyue turned to the second team and shouted, "The second team is coming! Next, we are going to prepare Bupleurum. Bupleurum is also an important herb in our herb collection plan. Its preparation method is different from that of Astragalus. Everyone must listen carefully and learn seriously."
Upon hearing the call, the members of the second team quickly gathered around and surrounded Lin Zhiyue tightly.
They also held the collected Bupleurum in their hands, their eyes full of curiosity and concentration.
Lin Zhiyue took a plant of Bupleurum from the team members, showed it to everyone, and said: "Look everyone, this is Bupleurum. To prepare Bupleurum, we must first select and sort it. Pick out those Bupleurum that are small, broken, or have obvious diseases and insect pests, and leave the complete and strong ones. The efficacy of Bupleurum prepared in this way will be more guaranteed." As she spoke, she skillfully picked out a few unqualified ones from a pile of Bupleurum and put them aside.
Then, Lin Zhiyue picked up a basin of water and said, "After selecting, it is time to wash the bupleurum. However, bupleurum cannot be soaked for a long time like astragalus. Its texture is relatively fragile. Just rinse it in clean water to remove the dirt and impurities on the surface." She put a few bupleurum into the basin of water and shook it gently. After a while, the bupleurum was washed clean. After taking it out, she placed it on a bamboo sieve to drain the water.
"After draining the water, it is time to prepare it. Bupleurum is usually roasted with vinegar."
As Lin Zhiyue spoke, she took out a small jar filled with aged vinegar. "We first mix vinegar and water in a certain proportion, usually 20 kg of vinegar for every 100 kg of bupleurum, and add an appropriate amount of water to dilute it. Then put the drained bupleurum into the mixture and let it fully absorb the vinegar." She poured the diluted vinegar into the container with bupleurum and stirred it gently to ensure that every bupleurum was soaked in the vinegar.
After soaking for a while, Lin Zhiyue took out the soaked bupleurum and put it into the iron pot. "Now, we need to put the bupleurum in the pot and slowly fry it dry over low heat. This step is the same as frying astragalus, which requires a high degree of control over the heat. The fire should be small and even, and the bupleurum should be stirred constantly to heat it evenly until its surface is slightly dry, the color deepens, and it smells faintly of vinegar, which means that the preparation is successful." Lin Zhiyue lit the stove and began to stir-fry the bupleurum. As the iron pot was turned, the color of the bupleurum gradually darkened, and the vinegar aroma gradually spread.
The members of the second team kept a close eye on Lin Zhiyue's every move. Some of them asked questions from time to time, and Lin Zhiyue answered them patiently.
Brother Li frowned and asked, "Yueyue, how can we control the temperature accurately? It seems too difficult."
Lin Zhiyue smiled and replied: "Brother Li, it is indeed difficult to master at the beginning. You can observe the size of the flame first and keep the small flame stable. When stir-frying, pay attention to the sound. If the sound becomes crisp, it means it is almost done. Do it a few more times and you will naturally master it."
Under the careful guidance of Lin Zhiyue, the members of the second team gradually understood the key points of the preparation of Bupleurum chinense, and they were eager to try it themselves.
In the threshing ground, the preparation of two different medicinal materials was carried out simultaneously, filled with a busy and orderly atmosphere, as if playing an exciting melody for the village's road to prosperity.
The members of the first team focused on Astragalus, and the members of the second team focused on Bupleurum. Everyone was immersed in the intense and serious preparation work, and the scene was busy and orderly.
The air is filled with the unique aroma of medicinal herbs, mixed with the laughter of the villagers, interweaving into a picture full of hope and vitality.
After coaching the first two teams, Lin Zhiyue looked a little tired, but his eyes were still bright and determined.
She looked around and saw that the members of the third team had been waiting there for a long time, their eyes full of anticipation and desire.
Lin Zhiyue took a deep breath, cheered up, and walked towards the third team with a friendly smile on his face. He said loudly: "Okay, there is only one team left. Come on, let's start preparing Atractylodes. The preparation method of Atractylodes is also very particular. Everyone must pay attention, listen carefully, and learn attentively."
The members of the third team quickly gathered around and surrounded Lin Zhiyue tightly in the middle.
In their hands they held the collected Atractylodes lancea, which had plump roots and exuded a rich and unique aroma.
Lin Zhiyue took a plant of Atractylodes from the team members, held it high, showed it in front of everyone, and said: "Look everyone, this is the Atractylodes that we worked so hard to pick. The first step in processing Atractylodes is to clean it. Carefully check the rhizomes of Atractylodes, and clean up the dirt, fibrous roots and debris attached to it. This step is critical and directly related to the effect of subsequent processing." As she spoke, she picked up a small brush and began to gently brush away the dirt on the surface of the Atractylodes. Her movements were gentle and meticulous, and she did not miss any corner.
After cleaning the dirt, Lin Zhiyue picked up a knife and said, "Next, we need to peel off part of the outer skin of the Atractylodes lancea. But be careful not to peel too deep, and keep the appropriate skin layer. This will remove impurities and retain the medicinal effects of the Atractylodes lancea to the greatest extent."
As she demonstrated and explained, the knife in her hand moved flexibly on the rhizome of Atractylodes lancea. After a while, a layer of the skin of Atractylodes lancea was evenly peeled off.
"After peeling, it's time to soak." Lin Zhiyue put the processed Atractylodes lancea into a large basin and continued, "Soak the Atractylodes lancea in clean water for a short time, about 2-3 hours will do. The purpose of soaking is to allow the Atractylodes lancea to absorb an appropriate amount of water for subsequent slicing. However, soaking for too long will cause the effective ingredients to be lost, so everyone must control the time well."
After a few hours, the soaked Atractylodes becomes softer.
Lin Zhiyue took the Atractylodes lancea out of the water, placed it on a bamboo sieve to drain the water, and said: "Now, we have to cut the Atractylodes lancea into thin slices. When slicing, make sure the thickness is as uniform as possible, about 2-3 mm thick. Only by cutting evenly can it be heated evenly during the subsequent preparation process to ensure the medicinal efficacy." She picked up a sharp kitchen knife and skillfully cut the Atractylodes lancea into thin slices and showed it to the team members.
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