If you have ever eaten ginger, you won’t soon forget its taste. Ginger is bold and spicy, a flavorful addition to many foods and beverages. It has both a pungent taste and smell, but also carries some scents of fruit. To those unfamiliar with it, ginger is a taste that needs to be gotten used to, but this root plant offers a wealth of benefits that can positively impact your life and add a delicious zing to your favorite foods.

About this Zingy Food

Ginger is a rhizome, a stalk-like portion of a plant that is found underground. The plant originated in Asia, but also grows today in the Caribbean and parts of Africa. Although China was the leading producer of ginger for a long time, India has overtaken China and now grows most of the world’s ginger.

The word “ginger” comes from the Sanskrit shringavera, which means “from the deer’s antlers.” And that’s very much what gingerroot looks like.

Benefits

If you ever experienced a stomach ache as a child, chances are your mother gave you a glass of ginger ale to sip on to ease the discomfort. Ginger has been used widely for many centuries for its medicinal properties. It is known to fend off nausea and vomiting, and is safe for pregnant women to use (under a doctor’s care) when experiencing morning sickness. In the United States, many people have discovered that ginger is a great treatment for motion sickness. Ginger is great to try if you have indigestion since it promotes digestion and may help alleviate diarrhea. It is also used for cold sufferers or those with coughs because of its ability to sooUsing Ginger in Your Dishesthe and comfort, and ginger fights inflammation as well.

Ginger can be served up a number of ways to enjoy its maximum benefits. Grate fresh gingerroot finely and add it to marinades for fish, chicken or pork. It will bring just a tang of spiciness to your dish. Ginger is also a key ingredient in Asian cuisines and the pickled version is served alongside sushi and sashimi. Crystallized ginger is a type of candy made from dried ginger and then sugared. The pungent, yet sweet flavor is a nice complement to a fine meal since it offers the taste buds a zing yet helps speed up the digestive process. Powdered ginger is the main flavoring for gingerbread and gingersnaps. Ginger is often found in tea. You can buy teabags already made with ginger or grate gingerroot and steep it in hot water for about five minutes. Then, strain the gingerroot from the water and add lemon or honey. This is a great beverage for a sore throat or when you are suffering with a cold.

Although most people imagine ginger paired with Asian dishes, the truth is it’s a favorite ingredient for many cultures. Europeans like to use ginger in pastries and breads as well as in beverages. Indians use ginger for candy-making and in pickles. Let your imagination run wild and try ginger to add a kick to everything from your salad to your main entrée to the delectable sweet you serve for dessert.

Selecting and Storing Ginger

When at the grocery store, you can find ginger in the fresh produce section. Select roots that look healthy and feel somewhat firm. The exterior should be a light brown color. Inside, should be a light yellow color and have a very strong fragrance. Once purchased, gingerroot will keep for several weeks in your refrigerator, but don’t store it in the produce drawer as the humidity will encourage mold growth on it. If you don’t plan to use all of it right away, keep what you need in the refrigerator and freeze the rest.

Final Thoughts

The next time you need a little added warmth in your day, enjoy a cup of tea made with freshly grated ginger or add gingerroot to a dressing of orange juice, olive oil, and honey and pour it over mixed greens for a delicious and wholesome salad. For some sweetness after dinner that doesn’t undo your diet, pop a piece of ginger candy in your mouth. However you decide to add ginger to your menu, you know you’ll find enjoyment in your creations.