What Is Ginger?
Ginger Is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual pseudostems about one meter tall bearing narrow leaf blades.
Ginger is a flowering plant that originated in Southeast Asia. It’s among the healthiest (and most delicious) spices on the planet.
It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, and it’s closely related to turmeric, cardamom, and galangal.
The rhizome (underground part of the stem) is the part commonly used as a spice. It’s often called ginger root or, simply, ginger.
Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice. It’s a very common ingredient in recipes. It’s sometimes added to processed foods and cosmetics.
Is Ginger A Herb Or Spice?
Ginger is listed as an herb in many culinary recipes while others classify it as a spice. Some call dried ginger powder a spice while calling the fresh root version an herb. What’s the answer? It’s a spice! No matter how the botanical and culinary experts label this spice/herb, it is definitely an ingredient that everyone should have in their refrigerator. There is more to this unassuming rhizome than its culinary uses. Ancient Chinese pharmacists recognized ginger as a healing root about five centuries ago. It found its fame in the west with ginger beer followed by ginger-ale and of course candied ginger and finally the sweet and delightful famous gingerbread man.
How Spicy Is Ginger?
Fresh ginger contains gingerol which when dried forms a third type of hot compound, 6-shogaol. Of the three, zingerone is the hottest, but it is only about one thousandth as hot as capsaicin, the molecule which gives chilli peppers their searing heat.
What Does Ginger Taste Like?
While somewhat hard to describe, the flavor of ginger is often labeled as spicy, peppery, and either warm or hot. I also find it a bit sweet. Young ginger is very juicy, and has a much mellower flavor.
What Does Ginger Do To The Body?
“It’s not just delicious. Gingerol, a natural component of ginger root, benefits gastrointestinal motility the rate at which food exits the stomach and continues along the digestive process. Eating ginger encourages efficient digestion, so food doesn’t linger as long in the gut.”
How To Use Ginger:
Most dishes call for peeled fresh ginger that is then grated or minced. Some call for juice, which can be obtained by grating the ginger in a towel and then squeezing out the juice. (Bottled ginger juice can now also be purchased in some grocery stores and online.) Once cooked, ginger’s flavor mellows considerably.
Here are a few recipes that highlight ginger’s exceptional flavor:
- Ginger-Chicken Stir-Fry
- Ginger-Turmeric Herbal Tea
- Mom’s Ginger Snaps
- Ginger Salmon
- Air Fryer Soy-Ginger Shishito Peppers
- Carrot Ginger Soup
Proven Health Benefits of Ginger To The Body:
- Contains gingerol, which has powerful medicinal properties
- Can treat many forms of nausea, especially morning sickness
- May help with weight loss
- Can help with osteoarthritis
- May drastically lower blood sugars and improve heart disease risk factors
- Can help treat chronic indigestion
- May significantly reduce menstrual pain
- May help lower cholesterol levels
- Contains a substance that may help prevent cancer
- May improve brain function and protect against Alzheimer’s disease
- Can help fight infections
Nutrition FactsGinger rootGinger, ground
Ginger root
| Amount Per 1 tsp (2 g)5 slices (1″ dia) (11 g)0.25 cup slices (1″ dia) (24 g)100 grams100 grams |
| Calories 80 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 0.8 g | 1% |
| Saturated fat 0.2 g | 1% |
| Cholesterol 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium 13 mg | 0% |
| Potassium 415 mg | 11% |
| Total Carbohydrate 18 g | 6% |
| Dietary fiber 2 g | 8% |
| Sugar 1.7 g | |
| Protein 1.8 g | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 8% | Calcium | 1% |
| Iron | 3% | Vitamin D | 0% |
| Vitamin B6 | 10% | Cobalamin | 0% |
| Magnesium | 10% |
Ginger Prices In Ghana:
The prices of Ginger in is determined by the quantity you might be buying been in Per Kg or in bulk purchase which around GHc 400.00 to GHc 550.00 per a Bag and per Kg been GHc 15.00 on the markets..!!!