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Processing of musk
In the first step, the whole musk sac is carefully processed. Begin by cutting open the sac and removing any excess flesh and fat. Trim the hair short to ensure a clean finish. Place a paper basket inside the opening of the sac to absorb moisture—this needs to be replaced regularly to maintain dryness. Next, put the musk into a bamboo cage and cover it with gauze to keep out insects. Hang the cage in a cool, well-ventilated area and allow it to air dry. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause the musk to degrade. If rain occurs during the drying process, use low heat to continue drying without interruption, as stopping the process may affect the color and aroma. Before drying, the sacs are often supported with bamboo sticks or nailed to wooden boards for better airflow. After trimming, only 0.7–1 cm of skin should remain. Leaving too little skin can make the product fragile. The final product from this method is known as "whole goods."
The second method involves producing "wool goods." Here, the outer skin is removed, and the remaining part is cleaned and dried thoroughly. This results in a product that retains a soft, wool-like texture.
In some regions like Guangxi, yellow rice is fried and placed in pots. Once cooled, the musk sacs are buried in the rice to absorb moisture. The rice is stirred daily until the sacs reach about 60–70% dryness. They are then placed in a sealed limestone tank, and within a few days, a dry, high-quality product is obtained.
Another technique involves wrapping the musk in several layers of white paper and covering it with cloth. It is then warmed using body heat, which helps in the drying process. For larger quantities, low-temperature drying greenhouses are used instead.
In the fifth method, traditionally practiced in Sichuan, the musk sac is torn open and placed over a charcoal fire. The outer layer should become wrinkled but not burnt. The time must be carefully controlled to avoid scorching. Afterward, the musk is rounded and wrapped in gauze before being left to dry in a well-ventilated space.
For export purposes, the whole musk is dipped in boiling water for 10 minutes, then wrapped in cotton or a towel for about four hours. This allows the water to penetrate evenly, making the skin softer. The hair is trimmed, and the musk is steamed to shape it into flat or round forms. After removing the musk, it is finely sifted and cleaned before being reinserted into the original sachet. Finally, it is dried using a gentle flame, ensuring the moisture content is adjusted to around 29%.
Lastly, the musk is opened from the middle, and the shell is carefully cut open. The outer shell is peeled off, along with the oil skin. The kernel is gently brushed out and placed inside a Mengzi (a type of sieve). The contents are then sifted to remove any impurities, and the finished product is prepared for further processing or sale.
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