"Zao" originally refers to the dregs left from brewing wine; "kang" is the bran or husky outer layer of grain …
"Zao" originally refers to the dregs left from brewing wine; "kang" is the bran or husky outer layer of grain after threshing. Together, zao‑kang denotes coarse, inferior foodstuffs, such as distillers' dregs and bran, often used to evoke humble or harsh sustenance in contrast to fine grain.