Does Ejiao cake have a shelf life? Ejiao cake is the best choice for winter nourishment. Many friends think that the older the Ejiao is, the more nourishing it is, even with the saying ‘Its effects last a century’. Is this true? So, does Ejiao cake have a shelf life? What is the general shelf life of Ejiao cake? Below, I will introduce it to you.

Does Ejiao cake have a shelf life?

The Compendium of Materia Medica classifies Ejiao cake, ginseng, and deer antler slices as the ‘Three Treasures of Health Preservation’, so many people, especially women, are accustomed to eating Ejiao for nourishing health in winter. The most suitable Ejiao cake is for those with deficiency in both Qi and blood. Some say that Ejiao cake is better with age, so is this true? Does Ejiao cake have a shelf life?

Ejiao cake is not only edible but also has good medicinal properties. Although it has a shelf life, Ejiao cake is generally better with age. In a strict sense, Ejiao cake does not have a shelf life. As long as there is no mold, smell, it is safe to eat. Experiments have shown that genuine Ejiao cake, if stored properly, can maintain its effectiveness for a century.

The reason for setting a shelf life is that China later required all medicines to have a limited shelf life, so there is a 5-year shelf life. If stored in a cool and dry place without weathering, the longer the Ejiao cake is stored, the better it is, and the dryness will also be eliminated, making it less likely to cause heat in the body after consumption.

The shelf life of Ejiao cake is generally 5 years, but if stored in a cool and dry place, it can be stored for a longer period. If there is no deformation visible from the outside and a slight fishy smell when smelled, and the surface is smooth and transparent, there is usually no problem.

As the saying goes, ‘Fresh ginseng should be used, and aged Ejiao cake should be preferred.’ When doctors prescribe medicine, they often indicate ‘aged Ejiao cake’. Generally speaking, newly made Ejiao cake has liver fire, but after being stored for many years, the fire nature is eliminated, and its medicinal power becomes stronger. Therefore, if stored safely, canned Ejiao cake has no expiration date. After many years of storage, it remains bright, dry, intact, and free from sticking. Such Ejiao cake has good medicinal power and stronger health-preserving properties. The exterior of aged Ejiao cake is dark and dull without luster, while that of new Ejiao cake is bright.

According to the ‘Chinese Materia Medica Dictionary’: ‘The genuine E-Jiao cake after melting has a fragrant smell, with a color of red-brown, thick but not sticky, sweet and slightly salty. The original block within 50-60 years has a lush color and is still firm; over 50-60 years, the color turns yellow and the texture becomes crispy, which is even better. It has a remarkable effect on pulmonary tuberculosis.’ Now, it is difficult to find old E-Jiao cake, so high-quality new E-Jiao cake can be purchased and stored at home for two years before using it as old E-Jiao cake.

In the southern regions, there is a custom of storing ‘old E-Jiao cake’. If stored properly, old E-Jiao cake is not prone to mold and insect infestation. If it is considered expired medicine like a drug, it is a misunderstanding of traditional Chinese medicine. In fact, E-Jiao blocks have already reached the drug storage period limit required by the National Medical Products Administration: 5 years! It is not practical to change relevant requirements for E-Jiao cake.

How to choose authentic E-Jiao cake?

To buy good E-Jiao cake, everyone can distinguish by looking, smelling, and breaking.

1. Observe its color. The genuine E-Jiao block is flat, with even edges, the surface is black brown or dark gray, with luster, and the edges are transparent. Counterfeit products usually have uneven sizes and thicknesses, with irregular holes, darker color, and rough and dull surface.

2. Smell its taste. The genuine E-Jiao cake has no skin-like odor and is not sticky in summer. After smashing it and putting it in a cup, add boiling water appropriately, cover the cup lid and leave it for 1-2 minutes, then open it and the aroma of E-Jiao is strong. Or remove the packaging of the E-Jiao roll, wrap it with a cold and damp cotton towel for 1-2 minutes, and after opening it, there is an aroma of E-Jiao. Counterfeit products have a smell of E-Jiao, with a fishy smell. When heated in water, there is a layer of ‘oil’ on the surface, and it has a taste like skin soup.

3. Break it with force. The genuine E-Jiao cake is hard and crisp, does not bend when broken, is easy to crack, and the cross-section has no holes. A strong hit will break it into several pieces, which is called ‘hard and crisp’. Counterfeit products are tough, not easy to crush, and may even bend.

Storage methods of E-Jiao cake

There is a saying in folk customs that ‘the older the E-Jiao cake, the better,’ but if it is not stored properly, it is prone to mold and melting. So, how should E-Jiao cake be stored and preserved at home?

Experts suggest that E-Jiao cake can be stored in a wooden box or a sealed box, with a small amount of ZJ ash or other moisture absorbers at the bottom to prevent the E-Jiao cake from becoming hard and bloated due to moisture. The container for storing E-Jiao cake should also be placed in a cool and dry place.

In addition, E-Jiao cake is prone to soften when heated or humidified, and it is easy to crack in dry and cold places, so it should be wrapped with aluminum foil and stored in a sealed manner to protect against external moisture, thus having a protective effect. It can also be stored in a sealed lime powder barrel in summer. Only proper storage can ensure the normal function of its medicinal properties.

Dear everyone, it is not advisable to store E-Jiao cake in the refrigerator. If the E-Jiao cake is unopened, it can be stored in an indoor natural environment for many years. However, E-Jiao cakes with white sesame seeds and walnuts should be consumed as soon as possible within the storage period.