The shape, form, and price of American Ginseng has been deeply influenced by its massive popularity as both a medicinal herb and cooking ingredient in many Asian cultures.
Ginseng connoisseurs in Hong Kong prize a whole root, with an almost human form over any pieces or slices. In mainland China, while there are differences from province to province, large whole roots, with the tops attached, and all their delicate fiber rootlets attached fetch a premium.
For most Americans, form isn’t as important as the flavor. So whether ginseng is sliced, whole, powdered, or in a tea bag it doesn’t really matter. The one thing that does matter is that the product in your hands is authentic American Ginseng from Wisconsin.