May chang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids May chang |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Litsea
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| Species: |
cubeba
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Litsea cubeba, often called may chang or aromatic litsea, is a type of evergreen tree or shrub. It can grow to be about 5 to 12 meters tall. This plant belongs to the Lauraceae family.
It grows naturally in parts of Southern China. This includes areas like Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Taiwan, and Fujian. You can also find it in Southeast Asian countries. These include Indonesia, Malaysia, and Cambodia. In Mandarin Chinese, people call it "mountain pepper" or "mujiangzi". The Atayal people in Taiwan call it maqaw.
May chang produces a small fruit. This fruit is used to make a lemony essential oil. You can also get oil from the leaves, but it's not as good quality. The wood from the tree is sometimes used to make furniture and crafts. Different parts of the plant are also used in traditional medicine.
The Special Oil of May Chang
The essential oil comes from the fruit of the may chang plant. About 3% to 5% of the fruit's weight can be turned into oil. The most important part of this oil is something called citral. Citral makes up 70% to 85% of the oil.
Most of this oil is made in China from special farms. It is sold as "Litsea cubeba" oil. People make a lot of this oil each year, sometimes over 1,000 tonnes.
This oil is used in many ways. It is popular for its fresh, lemony smell. You can find it in perfumes and especially in bar soap. It is also used to add flavor to foods and drinks. The oil is also a key ingredient for making other chemicals. For example, it helps create vitamin A and fragrances that smell like violets.
May Chang as a Spice
May chang is also used a lot as a spice. The native people of Taiwan use it in their cooking. It is a very important part of their traditional food. It gives their dishes a special and unique flavor.
