Ginger

Ginger is a very common ingredient used in the kitchen. It is a rhizome or an underground stem, as contrary to popular belief that it is a root. Gingers originated in China, but it is now also being grown in Southeast Asia, India, the Western part of Africa as well as the Caribbean. It is important to know that ginger and wild ginger are two different plants.

Ginger is used in many food recipes. The ginger root is mostly the part that is harvested and used since it comprises the fleshy and flavorful part of the plant. A lot of sweet snack foods can be made from it. Ginger snaps or ginger biscuits are very popular and they are sold worldwide in pastry shops and bakeries. Ginger bread, on the other hand, takes the form of cake or cookie.

Ginger bread houses are particularly very famous during Christmas since it also serves as beautiful decoration. The ginger bread house has been made famous by the fairytale, Hansel and Gretel, where it served as the witch’s house. The crystallized ginger is another snack made from ginger. It is a sweet, spicy and chewy treat made from ginger roots that are dried and sugar coated. Other foods that are usually made from ginger are ginger steak, ginger cookies and ginger nuts.

Drinks can also be made out of ginger. Ginger tea is a variant that is a bit spicy. It is useful in soothing the throat and relieving menstrual pains. Another drink fondly made from ginger is ginger ale. It is a regional soft drink that can also be mixed with alcoholic beverages. Ginger beer is a carbonated alcoholic beverage developed in England, which is also a good ginger flavored drink.

Aside from its culinary purpose, ginger also offers a lot of medicinal benefits. It has been proven that ginger works well with nausea caused by motion sickness. Many people said that ginger helped while they were trying to quit smoking because it prevents the nausea caused by the sudden quitting of the habit. It is also used to relieve morning sickness and treat inflammations. It also aids in digestion and offers relief for stomach gas pains, dyspepsia and colic. Other benefits of ginger include relieving stress, alternative colds and flu, and lowering blood cholesterol.

Ginger is an all-round wonder herb. It is a good ingredient in food while providing a lot of medical benefits. So don’t forget to include it in your daily diet.