Ku Xing Ren (Bitter Apricot Kernels, Prunus armeniaca) — Inner Mongolia Dried Food Herb, 500g

Ku Xing Ren (Prunus armeniaca) are the dried, skin-on bitter apricot kernels of a traditional food herb known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Kǔ Xìng Rén (苦杏仁). Grown in Inner Mongolia and sun-dried in the traditional manner, these plump kernels have been prized for centuries as a descending, moistening herb used in decoctions, congee, and medicinal soups. Its nature is bitter, slightly warm, and mildly toxic in raw form, making it a herb that is traditionally processed before use and valued for directing qi downward and moistening the Lungs.

Key Selling Points

• Traditional food herb (药食同源) bitter apricot kernel
• Prunus armeniaca, skin-on whole kernels
• Sourced from Inner Mongolia, new-crop stock
• Naturally sun-dried, plump and full-bodied
• 500g bulk bag for decoctions, congee, and soups

Quality & Sensory

Each batch is naturally sun-dried to preserve the kernels' warm tan to light brown skin, smooth oval shape, and firm, dense texture. The kernels are plump and full, with a faint nutty aroma and a distinctly bitter, almond-like taste that softens when simmered. When decocted, they release a deep, slightly resinous fragrance that blends well with other herbs in a broth.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Traditional herbal decoctions
• Medicinal congee and grain porridge
• Chinese-style soup and broth
• Herbal tea blends with other food herbs
• Seasonal home food-therapy cooking

Traditional Uses

In folk herbal practice, Ku Xing Ren is decocted into soups, congee, and lung-moistening formulas to support smooth breathing and gentle downward movement of qi. It is a classic ingredient in traditional pear and apricot kernel soups, often paired with pear, fritillary bulb, and rock sugar for autumn nourishment. In daily food therapy, it appears in congee and slow-simmered broths, where its bitter nature is balanced by sweet ingredients such as jujube and honey.

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