"That is definitely something they have to do," Wang agrees. Wang says many Chinese people think that Korean ginseng, like the Chinese root, is "warmer," or more "yang" than American ginseng. It can sometimes cause dryness of the mouth, sore throats, or even nosebleeds if used incorrectly. It is usually taken in autumn and winter. American ginseng, on the other hand, is seen as relatively "cool," and can be taken more frequently.

Koreans believe that Korean ginseng can help the human body maintain or regain its harmonious internal balance. They eat ginseng chicken soup in the summer, which sounds strange to many Chinese people. "That is a major reason why American ginseng slices and tablets control about 20 per cent of China's health care product market," Wang says. Wang adds that this different understanding of ginseng may be an obstacle to KGC's expansion in China.

There are three main types of ginseng. "Asian ginseng" is a collective term used to refer to the Chinese and Korean varieties. American and Siberian ginseng are the other two kinds. The best Asian ginseng grows in eastern regions between 30 and 48 degrees north latitude. This area includes Northeast China's Jilin Province and the Korean Peninsula.

Today, authentic wild mountain ginseng is very difficult to find. People now cultivate it in fields."