1. Pick Indigo Grass.
2. Tie fresh indigo grass into bundles and soak them in water in a large water tank. After 4 to 6 days of soaking, it is fully fermented and the liquid in the tank turns blue and the indigo grass turns black.
3. Remove the fermented indigo grass and filter the soaking liquid.
4. Mix an appropriate amount of quicklime powder into the water tank and stir frequently with a small basin until a large amount of foam floats in the tank, then the tank can be covered.
5. After letting it stand for 1 to 2 days, pour out the wastewater from the upper end of the water tank, and pour the indigo liquid remaining at the bottom of the tank into a wooden barrel. After the water evaporates, a honey-like indigo paste will be formed. At this point, the indigo is completed. After the water has fully evaporated, the indigo paste can be stored in a sealed container for about one year.
When using it, just mix indigo paste and water into the dye vat, and add some rice wine.
Traditional indigo production method
