Ginger root is a unique product with healing properties and exquisite aroma. It contains a large amount of various amino acids, vitamins, micro, - macroelements, essential oils.
Due to these properties, it is used for the preparation of many dishes, aromatic teas. But not everyone knows how to peel ginger, and should you do it at all? Let's try to figure it out.
Why and when to peel ginger root?
Ginger root peel contains a large amount of essential oils and other beneficial trace elements. But they don't always leave her. There are situations in which it is necessary to remove the top layer. Depends on how the ginger is used, for example:
- If you plan to eat fresh ginger, you need to peel it. In addition to the skin, dirt accumulates on the root surface.
- Unpeeled ginger root can be used to make tea, but it can negatively affect its taste. It is advisable, at least with a hard sponge, to remove its thin top layer.
- Ginger is pickled together with the skin, this allows you to preserve the aroma and nutrients. The candied root is also not peeled and is good for teas.
- You do not need to remove the entire skin from the root in advance. It is better to cut off the desired piece, and the remaining part will better preserve the aroma and benefits under a protective layer.
- During heat treatment, the skin loses its beneficial properties, so it is better to remove it.
Before using, the ginger root must be washed under running water, but do not rub, the skin may come off. Rinse the root with a hard surface with hot water.
Methods for cleaning ginger root
There are many useful microelements under the top protective layer of ginger root, so you can't cut too much. The thin skin makes the process difficult. To learn how to peel ginger correctly, there is a method for each specific case. There are several effective ways using various devices, namely:
1. Using a soft metal dish brush. The root is placed in water and the top layer is removed with gentle movements in one direction. Make sure that the pulp is not damaged, otherwise the taste and aroma will be lost.
2. Using a slicer to peel vegetables. A very convenient device, but you need to make sure that the cut thickness does not exceed 2 millimeters.
3. Cleansing with a knife or spoon. A simple and popular method, but only suitable for young roots with soft skin. They take a spoon in one hand, hold ginger in the other. Peel off the skin slowly, monitor the depth so as not to damage the pulp. The knife processing technique is the same, but with some peculiarities. The blade should be sharp, but the skin does not need to be cut, it is peeled off, being careful not to cut the middle of the root. The knife is advised to use for old, tough skin that cannot be removed with a spoon.
4. Removing the skin with a toothbrush. This method is suitable for young roots. Under a stream of cold running water, remove the top layer, slightly pressing down on the brush.
The peeled root must be used immediately, otherwise the aroma and beneficial properties will be lost. If there is an unused piece left after preparing a dish, you can put it in tea.
You can not use ginger root in large doses, in the evening and for some diseases. Instead of being beneficial, it can be harmful to health.
