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What is Ginger Root?
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Ginger root is a tuber that is widely used in cooking and in natural medicine. Sliced, pickled ginger root is commonly used as a condiment in Japanese cuisine. It is an important ingredient in many Thai dishes, and it is a beloved flavor by those who enjoy ginger snap cookies. Both spicy and sweet, ginger root is used in sweet dishes and baked goods as well as in savory and spicy dishes. In natural medicine it is used to treat or cure many illnesses, especially those having to do with the digestive tract.
Mature ginger root is sold at many grocery stores, especially those that cater to people who cook Asian dishes and those that carry health foods. Like most roots, the exterior is quite dry and a bit of liquid comes out when it is sliced. As such, ginger root is often sold without any packaging. The interior of the root is quite fibrous. Most slices of ginger are cut against the grain of the root's fibers, which can be quite long.
As ginger root has quite a strong flavor, many recipes only call for a small amount. Ginger tea, for example, can be made with a mug of hot water and just a few thin slices of the root. Ginger tea is used to cure the common cold and the flu as well as to assuage stomach aches and promote better function in the digestive tract. Many people prefer to drink ginger tea that has been sweetened either with honey or with rock sugar. A squeeze of lemon is also a nice addition to this kind of tea.
Tea is not the only beverage that calls for ginger. In fact, ginger is a common beverage flavoring in the West where it is used in ginger ale and ginger beer. These two drinks, much like ginger tea, are often consumed to assuage colds and digestive discomfort. Many of the medicinal uses of ginger root are attributed to folk medicine, but are practiced in many parts of the world even where modern medicine is readily available.
Some recipes call for the use of ginger powder, which is a powdered form of ginger root. This is common in baked goods such as ginger bread cookies and similar sweet breads and pastries. However, ginger powder can also be used as a substitute for fresh ginger when making ginger tea.
Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
Learn more...
Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
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![Powdered ginger can be added to tea or used to flavor food.]()
By: cook_inspirePowdered ginger can be added to tea or used to flavor food. -
![Ginger root is used in cooking and natural medicine.]()
By: valery121283Ginger root is used in cooking and natural medicine. -
![Raw ginger root is used to make ginger tea.]()
By: praisaengRaw ginger root is used to make ginger tea. -
![Ginger root can be used to help relieve stomach aches.]()
By: Julija SapicGinger root can be used to help relieve stomach aches. -
![Ginger root, popular in Japanese and other Asian cuisines, has several medicinal uses, including relieving an upset stomach.]()
By: GrafvisionGinger root, popular in Japanese and other Asian cuisines, has several medicinal uses, including relieving an upset stomach. -
![Ginger is an important ingredient in ginger ale.]()
By: Brent HofackerGinger is an important ingredient in ginger ale.
Discussion Comments
@simrin, @ddljohn-- Did you guys know that ginger is not really a root? It's rootstalk! Ginger is just the underground stems of the ginger plant. Most of us consider everything growing under the soil to be the root, but plants' stems can also grow under the soil.
You can make stir-fry with fresh ginger, it also goes really well with chicken. Chinese and Thai recipes usually add ginger to chicken recipes. My favorite is kung pao chicken with ginger and peanuts.
And have you ever tried homemade ginger ale? I've made it once before, it's really easy and very delicious. You have to make a ginger syrup by boiling ginger and sugar first. When you want ginger ale, just mix some ginger syrup, sparkling water and some lime juice. It will really help with your nausea and it's a lot better than buying ginger ale with additives.
@simrin-- Do you like sushi? Sushi with fish might be too much for you, but you could try vegetarian sushi with some pickled ginger. Asian restaurants and grocery stores carry pickled ginger and you can buy some to eat alongside various dishes.
I don't really cook with ginger, but I like to make tea with it. If you don't like boiled ginger as tea, you can always add a slice or two of fresh ginger root to herbal teas. I like to add ginger root to linden herbal tea. It's really good for the stomach.
I also have a recipe for ginger coffee. I make it by boiling milk with fresh ginger, cinnamon and cardamom and then adding some instant coffee or Turkish coffee to it. It's so good!
Does anyone have any recipes for dishes and drinks with ginger root?
I know the basic tea with ginger recipe but it's not very tasty. I've had an upset stomach and nausea for the past two weeks. It's due to motion sickness and my mom suggested having ginger to help ease the nausea.
I have fresh ginger at home, I just don't know what to do with it!
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