Shen Qu refers to the fermented mixture of flour and other herbal ingredients. In China it is produced all over the country. It is in shape of a square or rectangular block, about 3cm wide, about 1cm thick, and with yellowish brown and rough skin. It is hard, brittle, easily broken, off-white, and with uneven sections, brown residue, and voids left by fermentation. It has stale odor and bitter taste. The better one is considered drier, staler, and with no moth holes and fewer impurities.