When Wei Guangyao presents plates of rock sugar, mugwort and Sichuan peppercorn before a group of guests, he is not planning to deliver a dish, but to cook up a pool of ink.

"Take rock sugar for example, it can raise the ink's brightness while boosting the integration of other ingredients," says the man in his 40s.

In addition to those pantry staples, multiple traditional Chinese medicines, ranging from borneol and musk, are part of the classified recipe behind Yidege, an ink that has gained increasing popularity among calligraphy and painting enthusiasts over the past 159 years.

They act as natural preservatives for the ink while offering certain therapeutical effects.

"Smell it, this cooling scent comes from the borneol, which explains why Yidege's ink not only has a rich fragrance but also helps invigorate the mind. The more you write with it, the more refreshed you feel," says Wei, who has been the fourth-generation inheritor of the ink craftsmanship that was named a national intangible cultural heritage in 2014.

He stresses that high-quality ink is characterized by a glossy sheen, balanced density, smooth writing, a strong fragrance, quick drying, suitability for mounting, water resistance, and unfading color.

The use of ink in China has been documented by ancient historians since the period before the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) when ink pills made from lacquer and pine soots emerged. They then evolved into ink sticks that came into widespread use in calligraphy and painting.