What is ginger used for? The main uses of the famous spice.

What is ginger used for? Many may have heard of this spice, maybe even you, without knowing exactly what it is and why it is so important. If there is a spice that has indeed entered Italian kitchens with increasing intensity in recent years, it is certainly ginger. It is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family. In ancient times, it was also called gengiovo and sometimes today it is marketed under the English name of ginger. Ginger is a spice with a pungent aroma and a delicious slightly spicy flavor. Besides its culinary uses, discover with us its numerous applications, particularly in homeopathic medicine, and some delicious recipes.
 

What is ginger and what is its history?

The use of ginger, particularly in South Asia, has a long history. Think that as early as the 6th century BC, a dish of stewed meat with ginger and other spices was mentioned in the Mahabharata, the sacred epic novel of the Hindu religion. Its use was also widespread in Ayurvedic medicine. The Romans imported it from India for the medicinal properties attributed to it. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Arabs held the monopoly on its trade for centuries. During the Middle Ages, it began to be imported to Europe in the form of candied ginger for use in desserts. In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, it was the most commercially traded spice along with black pepper. Around the same time in England, ginger was highly sought after. Later, the Portuguese expanded the producing countries, bringing the plants to South America.
 

Is ginger good for health?

The answer to the question is: it seems so! In Asia, ginger has always been known and valued for its beneficial properties. For over 5,000 years, it has been considered a stimulant and a carminative (which relieves gas in the stomach and intestines and alleviates pain). Furthermore, it has anticoagulant properties and appears to lower cholesterol. Another important property of ginger is its effectiveness against nausea caused by motion sickness or car sickness. Numerous scientific studies are ongoing to verify these and other properties in an official manner.
 

What is ginger used for and how is it used?

What is ginger used for and how is it used? In Western cuisine, ginger is experiencing great success and diffusion. The rhizome, the underground part of the plant, often improperly called root, is used in cooking to flavor dishes and desserts, but also as an alcoholic beverage or for herbal teas. Day by day, more and more dishes with increasingly exotic flavors are being created thanks to ginger. This spice pairs well with cardamom, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Fresh rhizome is used in dishes like lentil curry or in meat-based preparations. The aroma released by ginger in dishes varies depending on when it is added: at the beginning it is lighter, while if added at the end of the recipe it will be much more pungent. In Italy, it is also very commonly used to flavor sweets, bread, and cookies. It pairs well with honey, sugar, dark chocolate, and nuts. Additionally, some drinks such as ginger ale and a popular ginger beer in Greece are made with ginger.
 

How can I tell if ginger is fresh or bad?

To discover if the ginger you have purchased is good or has problems, there are some steps you can take. Gently press the ginger root. It should feel consistently hard, not soft. If the hardness is not uniform, it has gone bad and should be discarded. Examine the root for any signs of mold. Pay special attention to the areas around the main rhizome, as these are often the first places to show mold. If only a small part of the ginger root has mold, it can be cut off while saving the opposite end. If the root shows other signs of deterioration, it's better to throw it away.
A mature, healthy root should be plump and smooth. If these surfaces are wrinkled, it has started to lose its moisture and this is an early sign of impending deterioration.

Smell the ginger and look at its color! Any unpleasant odors or strange colors indicate that the root has gone bad.
 

How do you store fresh ginger?

Depending on how soon you intend to use it, you can store ginger in the fridge or freezer. In the fridge, simply place it in a food bag. Without peeling it, put it in a resealable bag and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing it. If you have peeled the ginger recently, you can store it submerged in an alcoholic beverage. Place it in a glass jar or food container and submerge it in liquor, a spirit, or a liquid with high acidity.

For freezing, wrap ginger in plastic wrap and place it in a sealed bag. Without peeling it, wrap it with plastic to isolate it from air. Use it within a few months and remember that when frozen, you can grate it with great ease.
Another preservation technique is vacuum sealing, which will work well for storing ginger later in the fridge or freezer.

Francesco Scuderi

S&M