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surname Qu
Etymology
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The character for a fermenting agent, traditionally written as 麴, is structurally composed of the semantic component 麥 (wheat) and the phonetic component 匊 (to clasp or knead), directly indicating its nature as a kneaded wheat-based substance used in brewing and food preparation. Its simplified form, 麹, replaces the left-side component with 麦, itself a simplified form of 麥, while retaining 匊. Originally denoting a specific cultivated starter for alcoholic beverages, particularly using wheat or rice, its application has broadened in modern usage to encompass various cultivated molds or fermentation starters used across East Asian cuisine.