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    Home » Cooking 101

    Fresh Ginger - Spin Magic With This Miracle Spice!

    Published: Mar 19, 2020 · Modified: Dec 18, 2021 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    9568 shares

    Meet Ginger - the undisputed superfood spice, that all at once adds zing, flavor, nutrition, and health to your food. Make this hardy spice a part of your daily intake, and reap the myriad magical health benefits it has to offer.

    whole ginger root, slices, diced, silvers and paste in bowls
    Jump to:
    • A must-have pantry essential
    • Origination
    • Taste and Flavor
    • So is ginger indeed a wonder remedy?
    • How to buy ginger?
    • MOC’s Pro Tip for prepping and storing fresh ginger
    • To Peel or Not To Peel
    • Dry ginger powder as a substitute
    • Top 10 recipes using fresh ginger
    • More on cooking basics:

    Ginger, a rhizome, is actually the stem of the ginger plant. However, since ginger grows under the ground, it is often referred to as ginger root. Ginger root usually grows about 6-8 inches and has a thin light brown skin that protects a hard yellowish core. 

    fresh ginger root in a bowl

    A must-have pantry essential

    I have an obsession with this miracle spice! Right from starting my mornings with a piping hot cup of chai to spicing up my curries and biryani’s, my kitchen simply comes alive with the aroma of this pantry essential. In fact, I love to end my day with a cup of warming lemon ginger tea that soothes and relaxes my mind and body.

    lemon ginger tea in cups with a teapot

    Origination

    The origins of ginger go back over 5000 years. While some believe that ginger originated in China, others claim that it was born in India. It is believed that India exported large quantities of ginger, to ancient Rome. Ginger, also known in India as adrak, is widely used in Ayurveda - an ancient form of Indian medicine and finds a prominent place in a lot of grandma’s home remedies.

    Taste and Flavor

    You cannot put a finger on the exact taste of ginger, but I’d say it is a mix of aromatic, pungent, and sharp - all at the same time. Hugely popular in Indian cooking, ginger elevates the flavors of your food several notches up. You can funk up just about any dish with some freshly grated or minced ginger. Ginger is a staple in my cooking; I use it to flavor my breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

    ginger tea with biscuits

    So is ginger indeed a wonder remedy?

    Ginger root is widely known for its immense medicinal properties. Ginger is one of the most natural therapies against morning sickness and all forms of nausea. Fresh ginger is known to be a powerful anti-carcinogen, and among a host of other benefits, ginger is known to reduce inflammation, relieve ulcers and heartburns, aid with digestive problems, protect against diabetes and clear congestion.

    ginger paste in a bowl and ice tray

    How to buy ginger?

    There are a few different varieties of ginger in the market, depending on where you buy it. Most local groceries carry the regular ginger root, that has a light brown with thin skin. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods carries organic ginger, which is smaller and slightly darker than the other variety. Indian grocery stores carry both varieties. The organic or “desi ginger” (Indian variety) is more intense and has a sharper bite. However, both varieties are flavorsome and work great in cooking.

    Many asian grocery stores also carry tender ginger which is baby ginger that is light cream colored with pink tips and is juicer and sweeter than the regular ginger. It is often used to make pickled sushi condiment. I love adding it to my tea for a fresher taste. Pro Tip: Keep the tender ginger refrigerated, wrapped in paper towels to extend it's shelf life.

    ginger root and sliced ginger

    MOC’s Pro Tip for prepping and storing fresh ginger

    Ginger can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. Since I use ginger liberally in my cooking, I buy a few pounds of organic ginger at a time. Instead of grating it every day, I like to make a big batch of finely processed ginger and freeze it in either freezer zip lock bags or silicone ice cube trays. When needed, I simply break pieces from the zip lock bag or take out the cubes from the trays. You will be amazed to see how handy this prep can be especially if you use a lot of ginger in your cooking. Here are more details on how to make homemade ginger paste.

    To Peel or Not To Peel

    I prefer not peeling the skin off of the organic ginger I buy. If there are any rough or bruised parts, I simply cut them off. The skin of the ginger root is not only flavorful but also nutritious, hence I grind the ginger along with the skin. But if you prefer you can always peel the skin off using a spoon or a peeler.

    I always save some ginger root as is, as I like to garnish my curries with diced or julienned ginger. One of my absolute favorite curries with lots of ginger is the EASY Chicken Karahi Recipe which is a super popular recipe on my blog.

    Dry ginger powder as a substitute

    Made from dried ginger root, ginger powder has a more concentrated taste than fresh ginger. I usually keep some powdered dry ginger (known as Sonth or Suntha powder in India) in my pantry. I use it in marinades, for baking, and for making homemade spice blends such as tea masala for my Masala Chai. 

    Although I would not recommend substituting dry ginger for the fresh one, in some recipes you can add it after adjusting the amounts asked for. So, if the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of ginger, replace it with ¼th teaspoon of ginger powder.

    A curry or marinade that uses a mix of several dry ground spices could be a good recipe to substitute fresh ginger with the powdered one. For example, if you were to use ginger powder in the Chana Masala recipe, it will work just fine. But, I would not use dry ginger powder in the Chicken Cilantro Soup as the flavors will be very different.

    Top 10 recipes using fresh ginger

    1. Ginger Chai
    2. Lemon Ginger Tea
    3. Ginger Lemonade
    4. Healthy Green Smoothie
    5. Brussels Sprouts Salad
    6. Broccoli and Tofu Cutlets
    7. Masala Chicken Burgers
    8. Tandoori Chicken Wings
    9. Batata Bhaji - Spicy Potatoes
    10. South Indian Yogurt Rice

    More on cooking basics:

    • Indian Spices - A list to must have curry spices
    • Types of Pulses - Learn the names of dals & beans
    • Garam Masala - 5 ingredient recipe for the best homemade masala
    • Chole Masala - Homemade Chana Masala Powder Recipe
    • How to make ghee - EASY ghee recipe with Kerry Gold Butter

    ♥ We LOVE to hear from you! Did you enjoy this post? Have you made any of these recipes? Please share your food photo with hashtag #ministryofcurry on Facebook or Instagram, so we can see it and our followers can enjoy it too! Thank you and Happy Cooking

    ♥ Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for tasty and easy video recipes. Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Check out our delicious Instant Pot Recipe board on Pinterest.

    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    1. Roselyn says

      June 04, 2020 at 6:58 pm

      I absolutely love ginger thanks so much for this information. No more wasted ginger, I will definitely be using more any tips on how to grow it I tried once it started to shoot then nothing ...... so disappointed

      Reply
    2. Rosa says

      August 05, 2020 at 10:57 pm

      I use ginger daily! I have health problems and ginger helps me a lot!
      I drink fresh ginger tea everyday!
      I would love to make ginger chai? But I can’t have c
      Caffeine! Could I use decaf tea bags with the fresh ginger and milk?
      rosagourmet@aol.com

      Reply
      • Archana says

        August 08, 2020 at 9:44 am

        yes you can use decaf tea bags to make ginger chai

        Reply
    3. Lidia says

      March 08, 2021 at 7:46 am

      Yesterday I found sone fresh ginger roots bit didn't have the ice boxes so I ordered in Amazon and will arrive tomorrow. Will the fresh ginger remain fresh till then? I used to make caramelized ginger but must cut on sugar.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        March 08, 2021 at 10:58 am

        yes! It will be good for a day or 2. You can also store thin layers in zip lock bags.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

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