The roots were once dug from the wild but today such roots are rare and expensive, selling for thousands of dollars apiece. Most of the Panax ginseng sold today is cultivated in China and Korea. After 100 years of refinement of cultivation practices and seed selection, good quality cultivated roots are being produced. Both China and Korea produce red ginseng and white ginseng. Red ginseng is produced by steaming the peeled roots before drying, while white ginseng roots are dried in the sun.
Most Korean ginseng is sold as red ginseng.
Roots processed in sugar are also available. Panax quinquefolium Panax quinquefolium is American ginseng. States that want to export ginseng must have ginseng programs that provide for registration of dealers, records of purchases and sales of ginseng, and a limited season for harvesting. Wild roots are considered the most valuable because of their higher potency. Much of the ginseng in the U.S. is now cultivated in fields under artificial shade.