TOPIC: root grading system

What are the root grading systems of the dealers here in North America and the ones used in Asia. Dealers must seperate the best out and have a few grades for all their roots.

guy

I'm no expert, but from what I gather, these would be the key factors.
1) age - if the necks still attached
2) size - some small bulby roots seems more expensive than big long roots.
3) shapes - thick bubbly roots better?
4) color - darker color better than pale color?
5) skin texture - the dense the rings the better
6) weight - I think heavy is not necessarily better for wild ginseng

I think taste matters too. But that's something peculiar to different region. Its a bit like wine/grapes/tea leaves. Some people prefer the taste of roots from certain areas and may be willing to pay more.

the forked roots seem to be more desirable with the age factor and stress rings.

and yes also the color and proper digging and drying.

I think that next year we're going to see a much larger price gap in just run of the mill ginseng and better batches of well cared for ginseng.

rootman