[joychin89]

The part which looks like a worm,is it actually a worm or is it just the fungus grown into that shape? O-o . I can't believe i actually ate this before...and i actually like it O_o

[jennnayx81]

As the fungi invades, it grows off larvae and the end result is desiccated caterpillar shell, with a fungal fruiting body attached. It is known in the West primarily from its use in Traditional Chinese medicine, where it is a prized ingredient.

The caterpillar prone to infection by the fungus lives underground in alpine grass and shrublands on the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas at an altitude between 3000m and 5000m. Spending up to five years underground before pupating, the caterpillar is attacked while feeding on roots. The fungus invades the body of the Thitarodes caterpillars, filling its entire body cavity with mycelium and eventually killing and mummifying it. The caterpillars die near the tops of their burrows. The dark brown to black fruiting body (or mushroom) emerges from the ground in spring or early summer, always growing out of the forehead of the caterpillar. The long, usually columnar fruiting body reaches 5-15 cm above the surface and releases spores.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_caterpillar_fungus

cordyceps (caterpillar fungus / 'dong chong ha cho' (winter worm, summer grass)) are pretty expensive. you have to be careful about buying it especially if it is a bit cheaper because some are tainted. some people will soak them in lead water to make weigh heavier for sale.

my mom sells this stuff but we dont really eat it. i honestly dont taste the difference when it's in soup haha.

[joychin89]

Oh shoot! Mean it IS the worm O_o. All along i thought that it was some chinese herbs which looks like a caterpillar O_O. I mean,it doesn't even taste gooie or anything. O_O. Oh man,i'm going to tell my whole family about this. Haha. Thanks a lot!!

[kakaakajes]

it's suppose to be realllllllllllllllllllllly good and expensive stuff.

my mom/aunts etc puts it in soup, i suppose thats how you use it.


dang i never realize it is a WORM


my chinese housemates just told me that in winter it is a worm, summer a grass, hence the name 'winter worm summer grass"

[ashley-x3]

O_________O;;

oh snap.
THIS is what 冬虫夏草 really is?!
i swear im not drinking any more of my grandma's soups

[woaini8311314]

lol omg thats disgusting, buh its healthy and tastes fine in soup so ill continue drinking it ;D

[Carmen.]

Yeah it's actually the bug.

I got so freaked out when I found out.

[joychin89]

O_________O;;

oh snap.
THIS is what 冬虫夏草 really is?!
i swear im not drinking any more of my grandma's soups

That was what i was thinking too >.> .I remember i actually liked it so much i actually slowly chewed it.....my goodness. It i knew it was actually a worm,i wouldn't even have hate it but man,it's SOO expensive! The price is around the dried scallops and bird's nest price

[crazyducky1993]

.......................
O_O
NOOOO!! THEY ALL TOLD ME IT WAS A PLANT!
Aw man, now I feel sick.

[joychin89]

.......................
O_O
NOOOO!! THEY ALL TOLD ME IT WAS A PLANT!
Aw man, now I feel sick.

They all told me it was a herb which is shaped like a caterpillar >.< . Damn it

[Azn Drifto]

Cordycep is actually really ood for you, its one of those expensive chinese herbs. My mum bought like these small jars of cordyceps and she drinks it every fortnight or something.
I tasted it and never liked it, maybe its because they didnt make it nice enough :|

[Pol2ns7al2]

i used to not drink soups with those pillars when i was under 4
but my mom told me they were bugs and i thought it was kinda exotic so i ate them

[joychin89]

i used to not drink soups with those pillars when i was under 4
but my mom told me they were bugs and i thought it was kinda exotic so i ate them

Hahaha! You're the weird one here lol

[nicolef4]

didn't know they were real worms o_o
my mom told me they were plants!!!
but they're yummy anyway.. and healthy

[kimchibabygurl]

when my grandma was still around she use to cook it. i like to drink it! even though i know what is it now.. i'll still crave for it.. hahaha.

[5imply_5wt]

oh shoot O-O.. gonna go throw up now.. T-T i thought it was a plant too

[KoonYun]

ohmygod!! my parents jus told me it was a plant shaped like a bug................... and i actually liked them cus they were so crunchy!!!

[simple*love]

Hmm, i think i had this beforeeeee, not sure
but it looks nastyyy :x haha

[Ce'nedra]

Ehh if it tastes good then I see no probelm

[xBonnie__]

that is really gross and scary.
wait, this isnt gingseng right? because i dont think i ate this then.


LOL look at all these posters!! XDDD they dont want to eat it after they found out what it was =p even if it was tastey.
sorry but i have a caterpillar/worm-phobia so i got kind of freaked out. asdklfjhsadkjlfh.
i will never eat that thing