Hsu's Ginseng SKU 1034 | American Ginseng Tea, 20ct

American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.), a wild and native plant of North America, primarily grows in the Northeastern and Midwestern regions of the United States. The root closely resembles a parsnip, ranging from 6 to 18 inches in length, typically bearing 3 leaves with 3-5 leaflets. As a perennial plant, American ginseng requires 3-5 growing seasons to reach full maturity and be cultivated. This unique herb is highly prized and sought after worldwide for its distinctive taste, which is attributed to the rich soil, minerals, and climate found in Marathon County, Wisconsin. The plant's reputation as a "cure-all" root among the Chinese and Native Americans led to the establishment of the cultivated American Ginseng Industry.

Hsu's Ginseng, a family-owned business, was founded in 1974 as a mail-order operation. In 1976, the company hired its first employee, Ron Sandquist, as the farm manager. In 2011, the second generation of the Hsu and Sandquist families joined the company, with Will Hsu and Nick Sandquist continuing the tradition of growing the highest-quality American Ginseng in Marathon County, Wisconsin.

Hsu's Ginseng currently has over 1,000 acres of prime American ginseng farmland available for cultivation. Selecting the right growing conditions is crucial, as American ginseng thrives in loamy, well-drained, shady, and humus-rich soil that is at least 12 inches deep, with a high organic content and a pH of 5.5. The company ensures that the fertile soil used for ginseng cultivation is never reused for the same purpose, only for raising other crops.

The harvesting process is a labor-intensive endeavor. In early fall, the American ginseng seeds are gathered as the stems and leaves of the plant begin to yellow and die off. Before harvesting, the shade fabric is rolled up, and the posts, cables, and straw cover are removed. Traditionally, a digger is pulled behind a tractor to mechanically dig each bed, allowing the American ginseng roots to be brought to the surface and harvested by hand.

After the roots are harvested, they are sorted, graded, and washed before being chilled in walk-in coolers for weeks. The final step is to sort and grade each root by hand, ensuring they are weighed and packaged according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Hsu's American Ginseng Tea is available in 20, 40, 60, and 120 count boxes, offering a convenient way to enjoy the earthy and bitter flavor of Wisconsin-grown American ginseng. Each tea bag is individually foil-wrapped to preserve the freshness, aroma, and taste. The tea is 100% natural, with no caffeine, sugar, artificial flavors, or preservatives, making it a gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO option.

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