In recent years, with the sharp rise in the price of Ejiao, many people have the habit of collecting Ejiao cake, and at the same time, they think that Ejiao cake becomes better with age. However, this saying is completely a misunderstanding; Ejiao cake cannot be stored indefinitely.

Shelf life of Ejiao cake

In China, even salt, such a seasoning said to be ‘unscented’ by the ancients, needs to be marked with a shelf life on the packaging. Ejiao cake belongs to medicine, and searching for the instructions of Ejiao cake can find that the shelf life of Ejiao cake is generally 60 months, that is, 5 years. Therefore, there is no saying that Ejiao cake becomes better with age or that it should be taken for many years.

Why did ancient people think that Ejiao cake becomes better with age?

This is related to the production process of Ejiao cake. Ejiao cake is made from Ejiao blocks made by boiling the hairless donkey skin. During the production process, there may be residual harmful substances on the animal body, such as cadaverine and indole, which may cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and vertigo. In fact, these symptoms are similar to food poisoning, and traditional Chinese medicine believes that they belong to the dryness nature of Ejiao cake, or called ‘fire poison’.

Therefore, the saying that Ejiao cake becomes better with age comes from this. Generally, it is recommended to store Ejiao cake for more than a year before consumption. However, it is not the better the older it gets; prolonged storage can also produce substances harmful to the human body.

As mentioned above, Ejiao cake is made from donkey skin, and animal skins contain collagen, cholesterol, and other substances that are prone to oxidation and mold. After use, they will accelerate the oxidation of the human body.

Manifestations of Ejiao cake mold

When Ejiao cake stored for too long releases a ‘rancid smell’, the color of the gelatin block becomes dull and lifeless, and even a gentle blow can cause the block to crack, indicating that the Ejiao cake has become moldy and cannot be taken anymore.

About the efficacy of Ejiao

According to relevant information, Ejiao cake has the effects of nourishing yin and moistening dryness, and activating blood circulation, which can be used for yellowish complexion, dizziness, palpitations, insomnia, and dry cough caused by deficiency of both Qi and blood.

However, the efficacy of Ejiao has also been exaggerated; the statement ‘Ejiao can supplement blood’ in TV series indeed only exists in TV series. Ejiao cake does not have the effect of blood and Qi supplement, but has the effect of improving symptoms of deficiency of both Qi and blood. And in traditional Chinese medicine, Ejiao cake is rarely used in prescriptions for blood and Qi supplement.

However, Ejiao indeed has the effect of nourishing and strengthening the body, and the general Ejiao paste is made by boiling black sesame powder, walnuts, sweet almonds, rose, and jujube together. Even if Ejiao cake itself has no effect, the other auxiliary materials have very high nutritional value and have a nourishing effect on the body. The effect of blood and Qi supplement is better when you think of eating Ejiao to supplement blood and Qi.

Ejiao cake should not be eaten haphazardly

Firstly, Ejiao cake is not suitable for everyone to take; groups such as those with internal heat, weakness of the spleen and stomach, and children and adolescents should not take it. Secondly, it is best to consult a physician before taking Ejiao cake, and there is also a possibility of skin allergy caused by Ejiao cake.

If there is an adverse reaction after taking the Ejiao cake, it should be discontinued immediately.