Groomwell Root (Zi Cao)
自家製ラー油を鮮やかなルビー色に染める！天然の赤い根っこ
Description
Root of the gromwell plant used traditionally as medicine and dye. In Sichuan cuisine, it acts as a natural coloring spice to dye chili oil (Hong You) and hot pot soup a 'deep, transparent vivid red'. Has almost no taste or aroma.
Classification: Hardcore, Spice, Medicinal, Zi Cao, Colorant, Hong You, Chili Oil, Sichuan Cuisine
Shops selling Groomwell Root (Zi Cao)
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The How to use section below is a general reference, not instructions from the listed shops.
How to use
Ingredients
- Dried roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon
Instructions
- [Typical Uses]
- [Coloring Hong You]: Add a small amount to the oil while heating spices to dye it bright red.
- Reinforce the color of Chongqing hot pot bases.
- Use when you want 'red color' without adding extra heat.
Learn more Substitutes, pairings, tips
Key spices
Almost no taste or aroma; purely functions to dye oil red
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
(Flavorless, so substitute color with paprika powder)
Pairing
Homemade Chili Oil / Chongqing Hot Pot / Shui Zhu Rou Pian
Trivia
As a traditional medicine, it treats burns and detoxifies, so it also carries the medicinal meaning of suppressing the 'heat/fire' of hot pot oil.
Eating tips & etiquette
The reason pro Sichuan chili oil shines a beautiful ruby red instead of dark muddy brown is because they dissolve this Zi Cao as a secret colorant in the oil.
Allergen
None