Fascinating Facts - Ginger
- Ginger or ginger root is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice.
- Gingerroot is characterized by it’s strong sweet, yet woodsy smell. It is tan in color with white to creamy-yellow flesh that can be coarse yet stringy
- Ginger grows in southern China, Japan, West Africa, and many other tropical countries including the Caribbean islands. Jamaican ginger is considered to be the best of all.
- The ginger plant is approximately 30 - 60 cm tall and is extremely rare to find in the wild.
- Ginger root should be kept in a cool, dry place. After purchasing, ginger may be refrigerated in plastic wrap for up to one week.
- Fresh ginger can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores. Look for smooth skin with a fresh, spicy fragrance. Avoid those with wrinkled flesh, as this is an indication of aged ginger past its prime.
- Ginger is said to stimulate gastric juices, and provide warming and soothing effects for colds and coughs.
- Ginger is an excellent natural remedy for nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness and general stomach upset due to its carminative effect that helps break up and expel intestinal gas.
- Chinese dry ginger and sell it as green ginger. Black ginger is first scalded and then dried.
- Fresh ginger is best. Its thin skin can be scraped with the back of a spoon and then cut, grated or pounded to mix into soups, sauces and stews.