Guías e historias

Guides to Canadian ginseng and dried goods, and stories from our shop in Montreal's Chinatown.

A stack of Canadian CITES export permit forms for American ginseng on the Fosetter counter.
Guías de ginseng

Inside Fosetter's CITES Export Permit: Renewed Every Six Months

A traveller can take 4.5 kilograms of American ginseng out of Canada. Carmen explains the paperwork, the renewals, and the rules behind every shipment Fosetter sends.

Guías de ginsengCarmen standing at Fosetter's front door next to the shop's red sign.

Where Our American Ginseng Is Grown, and the Permit Behind It

Every root on our shelves is grown in Canada. Here is the CITES export permit that proves it, what it takes to keep, and why it matters when you travel.

Guías de ginsengCarmen smiling at the counter of Fosetter, with shelves of Canadian ginseng behind her.

Montreal May Be American Ginseng's Real Hometown

Most people think of Ontario. Carmen thinks American ginseng's first home was right here in Montreal, and the history books agree it was first recorded nearby.

Guías de ginsengDried Canadian-grown American ginseng roots

American Ginseng, 花旗蔘, 西洋蔘 and Asian Ginseng Explained

花旗蔘, 西洋蔘 and American ginseng are one plant with three names. Here is where each name comes from, and how American ginseng differs from Asian ginseng.

Guías de ginsengA dried ginseng root with the crown (neck) labelled, where yearly scars are counted

How to Tell a Ginseng Root's Age by Counting Neck Scars

A ginseng root leaves one scar on its neck each year, so you can estimate its age by counting them and adding one. Here is how to count, and how far to trust the result.

Guías de ginsengShelves of Canadian ginseng jars and gift boxes at Fosetter in Montreal Chinatown

What Is the OGGA, and How Do You Check Its Ginseng Buyer List?

The OGGA represents Ontario's ginseng growers and publishes a public buyer list. Here is how to check a shop, and what a listing does and does not tell you.