What describes Gou Teng good quality?

• A. Fragile bundles with many hooks; dull surface
• B. Solid, anchor-shaped twin hooks and many stems with hooks
• C. No hooks; dull brown surface
• D. Solid, anchor-shaped twin hooks and a small number of thin stems without hooks; surface purplish-brown or reddish-brown and glossy

Answer: (D)

Gou Teng is judged by a combination of its distinctive hooks and overall appearance. The best quality shows solid, anchor-shaped twin hooks, which are the defining feature that confirms the material is Gou Teng rather than a similar plant. These hooks should be sturdy and intact, not broken or fragile, signaling proper harvesting and processing.

In good quality Gou Teng, there are a small number of thin stems, rather than a dense bundle of stems with many hooks. This reflects proper selection and reduces adulteration risk, while keeping the material recognizable by its hooked ends.

The surface color should be purplish-brown or reddish-brown and glossy, indicating appropriate drying and storage. A dull surface or other color typically points to aging, improper processing, or inferior material.

So, the combination of solid, anchor-shaped twin hooks, a limited number of thin stems without hooks on most of the stems, and a purplish-brown to reddish-brown glossy surface best describes Gou Teng of good quality.