You probably have a bottle of powdered ginger in your cupboard right now, but how much do you know about this spice? It comes from a rhizome of a plant known as Zingiber officinale. It grows in the tropics. It is related to turmeric, galangal, and cardamom. It is grown extensively in India, Asia, and the Caribbean. The root or tuber looks kind of like an antler.
Confucius wrote about it. This seasoning was so popular in Europe at one time that it was routinely offered at the table just like pepper and salt. They used it to treat the plague in Medieval Europe. Ginger ale began as a custom where pub keepers would set out containers of ground ginger for people to sprinkle into their beer. It is warming, and it was even used as an irritant to get reluctant horses moving. Drivers would apply it to the horse’s backside.
It has spread its influence all over the world. Fresh ginger can be found in the produce sections of most markets. The piece of rhizome you buy is known as a “hand.” When it is sliced, you will see the inside is a pale yellow color while the outside is off white or brown. You will get the best flavor from fresh rhizomes. Asian markets will have fresh roots of it if your local grocer does not.
It is available that has been powdered. Preserved it is cooked in heavy syrup and canned into jars. If you have not eaten it before, it is very spicy. Crystallized it is often treated as a candy. It is cooked in syrup, dried, and rolled in sugar. It is also used in confections. Pickled versions are sliced very thin before pickling in vinegar. It is often served with sushi as a palate freshener.
It is also used medicinally. It has been used as an aphrodisiac, to expel evil spirits and to make a person sweat. In truth, ginger is a very effective digestive aid. It helps ease gas pains, diarrhea, indigestion, and cramping. It is a good remedy for morning sickness and motion sickness. It can help relieve inflammation and pain from arthritis, muscle spasms, and rheumatism. It helps improve blood circulation and can loosen phlegm and expel it. Its warming qualities can help break fevers and cleans the bowels and kidneys.
It has always been used as a culinary spice. It is very important in many Asian recipes. It can be found in pickles, chutney and curry paste. Tender roots can be chopped up and tossed into a salad. It can be used to flavor beverages, preserves, jams, and confections.
A ginger chicken recipe is a great place to start cooking with it. The fruitiness of the ginger really comes out and complements the chicken. Add some of it to olive oil, garlic, and tamari to create a simple salad dressing. Baked apples are a nice base for a little of it freshly grated on top, too.
Ginger is also a very nutritious food to cook with. It is full of copper, vitamin B6, magnesium, manganese, and potassium. It does not cause allergic reactions in most people.
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