Ginger - Culinary and Medicinal Uses

Ginger is a spicy, fragrant root commonly used in cooking and traditional medicine. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory and digestive health benefits.
Category
Herb
Where to get
Available fresh, dried, or in powdered form in grocery stores and markets.
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Ginger FAQ


Image credit: thefarmersjournal.com

Where did Ginger come from?

Ginger reached the west at least2000 years ago and was imported in a preserved form. This flavoursome plant is used in many recipes and, in some Asian cuisines, it is pickled and served as an accompaniment. The healing property of ginger comes from the volatile oils, such as gingerols, that are responsible for its strong taste.

What does Ginger mean in English?

Ginger It is an English given baby name for girls which means to be pure and chaste or virginal. A sweet sounding name, it is often kept as a nickname and refers to people with red hair. It is also a very lively name signifying the essence of ginger root.

Is Ginger a red plant?

Well-done. The color of ginger is indeed red: the flowers of most ginger plants are red. Ginger is the whole plant; the common spice is the ginger root. The stem is also tasty, but yes it's the flowers that are red. (Though I did once know someone who explicitly described her hair as "Jamaican ginger cake coloured").

Where does Ginger come from?

Ginger is native to different parts of Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese, Indian, and Japanese medicines. The ginger plant's scientific name is Zingiber officinale ( Z. officinale ). This article discusses what you should know about ginger—its nutrition, potential uses, and safety.

What are the health benefits of Ginger?

Ginger contains several health benefits and boasts powerful medicinal properties. It is best known to reduce nausea, but it also has anti-inflammatory characteristics. Ginger also can help reduce pain from osteoarthritis, reduce blood pressure, and may help prevent cancer. Here is what you need to know about ginger.

What is a common name for Ginger?

Other common names: 姜 (Chinese, simplified), 薑 (Chine ... Ginger is one of the most popular spices in the world and comes from the underground stem of the ginger plant. The aromatic and fiery spice has been a signature ingredient in Asian cuisine since ancient times. Today, it is frequently used in medicines, food, and cosmetics across the globe.

What does ginger taste like?

Ginger, herbaceous perennial plant of the family Zingiberaceae, probably native to southeastern Asia, or its pungent aromatic rhizome (underground stem) used as a spice, flavoring, food, and medicine. The spice has a slightly biting taste and is usually dried and ground or can be used fresh.

Ginger References

If you want to know more about Ginger, consider exploring links below:

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