B:CCookbook:Ginger

Ginger is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or simply ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual pseudostems about one meter tall bearing narrow leaf blades. The inflorescences bear flowers having pale yellow petals with purple edges, and arise directly from the rhizome on separate shoots.

History

Ginger originated from Maritime Southeast Asia. It is a true cultigen and does not exist in its wild state. The most ancient evidence of its domestication is among the Austronesian peoples where it was among several species of ginger cultivated and exploited since ancient times. The rhizomes and the leaves were used to flavor food or eaten directly. The leaves were also used to weave mats. Aside from these uses, ginger had religious significance among Austronesians, being used in rituals for healing and protection.

Culinary Uses

In the Cookbook, ginger is used in a variety of dishes and beverages. It is often used for its aromatic and slightly pungent flavor. It can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice. Ginger is a common ingredient in Asian and Indian cuisine. It is also used in sweet foods, such as ginger ale, gingerbread, ginger snaps, and ginger biscuits.

Medicinal Uses

Ginger has a long history of use for relieving digestive problems such as nausea, loss of appetite, motion sickness and pain. The root or underground stem (rhizome) of the ginger plant can be consumed fresh, powdered, dried as a spice, in oil form, or as juice.

Cultivation

Ginger plants require 20-30 weeks of warm weather and a steady supply of moisture to mature. Ginger is harvested by pulling up the rhizomes from the ground 8-10 months after planting. The rhizomes are boiled for several hours and then dried in hot ovens, after which they are ground into a deep-orange-yellow powder commonly used as a flavoring and coloring agent in many cuisines.

See Also

• Cookbook:Gingerbread
• Cookbook:Ginger Ale
• Cookbook:Ginger Snaps
• Cookbook:Ginger Biscuits