What is kaoliang: plant description, botanical classification, application
Many people are interested in what is kaoliang, because they are interested in the description of the plant, its botanical classification and application. This crop is actually a very common cereal, which is a type of sorghum. This is a fairly useful product that has found wide use in various fields. In addition, the plant is considered very unpretentious and high-yielding.
Description of cereal
Kaoliang is an annual crop that is considered one of the varieties of grain sorghum.This herbaceous erect plant has a fibrous root system. Its roots penetrate the soil by 2-3 meters. The culture is distinguished by a lumpy compact panicle and a dense inflorescence, which is directed upwards.
Kaoliang has a relatively low height compared to other types of sorghum. It is 1.5-2 meters. The stem is quite strong and has a dry core. The plant is distinguished by long broad-linear green leaves. They have whitish veins. Above-ground fragments of the culture are covered with a wax coating, which helps to endure drought.
An early maturing plant can hardly withstand frost, but easily copes with heat. The main advantage of kaoliang is unpretentiousness. This culture develops well in any type of soil - solonetzic, sandy loamy, clayey.
Kaoliang seeds are round in shape and visually resemble millet.Their color is different - from white-yellow to brown. Grains include a number of components. Among them, it is worth highlighting water, ash, fiber, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. The product also contains a small amount of protein. If we consider the nutritional value of cereals, then according to this parameter, kaoliang is comparable to barley and corn.
Why is it called that
The very concept of "kaoliang" literally translates from Chinese as "high grass" or "high bread" . This word was borrowed during the period of active development of Russian-Chinese relations. The emergence of such a culture required the use of a new term, which was formed on the basis of a Chinese phrase. At the beginning of this century, the term "kaoliang" entered the dictionaries of new words of foreign origin.
How to use kaoliang
Culture includes a lot of proteins and carbohydrates. The product also contains a large number of trace elements. They stimulate appetite and favorably affect the work of the digestive organs.The systematic use of such cereals helps to improve the functions of the heart and the condition of blood vessels.
In addition, kaoliang includes antioxidants that slow down the aging process. This product is useful for people with diabetes. In addition, it activates the synthesis of hemoglobin. After eating such cereals, a long saturation occurs, which helps to avoid sharp fluctuations in glucose levels.
Also, this cereal is useful for disorders of the nervous system and dermatological pathologies. Substances that are present in the composition of the plant inhibit the activity of cancer cells.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionCrops of this grain crop give a large amount of biomass, so they can be used for animal feed. For laying in silo pits, it is recommended to use a composition based on kaoliang greens and corn.Sorghum is also actively used for the manufacture of alternative fuel - bioethanol.For making wine
Cereal is used to make a special drink called "baijiu" or hot wine. This is considered a kind of reference to the custom of drinking the liquid in a warm form. According to its characteristics, this product resembles Russian vodka. The amount of ethanol in its composition reaches 40-60%.
The very name of this product is translated as "juice of five cereals" . This is due to the fact that for its manufacture, in addition to kaoliang, corn, wheat, nomi and rice are used. For centuries, the Chinese have been perfecting the taste of this drink. As a result, multiple distillation, aromatization and filtration began to be used for manufacturing.
The production process is similar to other recipes for obtaining alcoholic beverages. Kaoliang grains need to be tightly packed in a special container and leaven added, as a result of which the fermentation process will begin. After 15-16 days of fermentation, you need to distill the wort.
The initially poorly refined drink included a large amount of fusel oils. Therefore, it was heated before use. To do this, baijiu was poured into a copper container with a narrow neck and placed on hot coals. This allowed harmful impurities to evaporate. At the same time, the alcohol itself remained in the container and was gradually purified. Today, baijiu undergoes high-quality cleaning during production. Therefore, you can not heat it before use.
For vodka
Kaoliang has been used to make Maotai vodka for many years. This product has a strength of 42 degrees and is aged for at least 3 years. It got its name from a town in the province of Guizhou - this is where this product is made. The secret of making this vodka in China is usually passed down from generation to generation. This is due to its unique properties. This product does not burn the mucous membranes and does not cause a hangover.
Today, Maotai is considered the national symbol of China. It is made from high quality raw materials. For the preparation of this drink, only selected kaoliang seeds are used. The sourdough for fermentation is made from wheat, and the water is extracted from local sources. During production, the product goes through 8 stages of distillation, which alternate with fermentation. Each period lasts at least 1 month. The finished product is required to withstand 3 years. Only after that it goes on sale.
Kaoliang is an undemanding plant that is considered a type of sorghum. This crop has a high yield and brings great he alth benefits. That is why it is becoming more and more popular.
