In November 2023, the Rushi team went to the production area of Tsao-ko (Fructus Amomum, otherwise known as Chinese Black Cardamom) in Nujiang Prefecture in Yunnan. We analyzed the growth, harvesting, and drying conditions of the latest crop batch.
Tsao-ko is mainly cultivated in Yunnan‘s Nujiang Prefecture, Dehong Prefecture, Baoshan City, Wenshan Prefecture, and other regions, cultivated at heights ranging from 1200m to 1800m in mountainous areas.
Due to the preference for shade and moisture, along with sensitivity to drought, flooding, and freezing, Tsao-ko cultivation areas avoid intense sunlight, often opting for environments shaded by trees with approximately 50%-60% coverage. The soil, ideally located in valleys and shady forest areas, should be rich in humus, loose in texture, and slightly acidic.
We observed that the overall size of Tsao-ko this year (2023) is smaller, and the overall quality is lower compared to the 2022 harvest. The prolonged rainfall in late May to late June severely affected the flowering and pollination of Tsao-ko in the production areas this year, leading to an anticipated production reduction of over 50% compared to the previous year.