Ginger root is an amazing spice widely spread among culinary experts all over the world, making it available on the shelves almost everywhere. Ginger is pickled, canned, dried; candied ginger is served as a dessert.
We buy ginger root
The homeland of ginger is Southeast Asia and western India. Currently also grows in Japan, China, Brazil, Argentina, parts of Africa, Vietnam and Jamaica. The pungency and spice of the high ginger root is appreciated by oriental cuisine: ginger is a completely cultivated plant and does not occur in the wild.
You can find two types of ginger on the market: black and white. The difference between them is due to the processing technology: black ginger is called Barbados, it is characterized by a more spicy aroma and pungency compared to Bengal white ginger. Finding Barbados ginger is more difficult: it is used in spicy oriental cuisine and European cuisine is practically not in demand. White ginger is softer, ubiquitous and found both in large chain stores and in small shops with spices, herbs or fruits and vegetables. Ginger root is sold as a weight product, its cost per kg - from 150 rubles. and higher.
Fresh ginger root is more aromatic and sweeter: if there is an opportunity to touch the root, try to pick the skin - the easily detached, fragrant skin of the ginger root speaks of the good quality of the product. You can also determine the freshness of the rhizome by its smoothness, density, and a small amount of fibers. This ginger is good for salads, drinks, you can get juice from it. The saturation of the root with useful trace elements and essential oils is directly proportional to its length.
Young ginger roots are sent for sale about six months after planting; in order to independently dry ginger as a hot spice, it makes sense to look on the shelves for old, knobby and fibrous roots that have ripened in the ground for a year. The shelf life of fresh ginger in the refrigerator is a week, the dried root retains its beneficial properties for up to four months.
Where else can you find ginger root?
If the prospect of walking in a crowded market or a stuffy supermarket doesn't appeal to you, you can use the Internet. In addition to the sites of all the same grocery stores where you can collect a basket and order home delivery, but without knowing in advance what age and quality the ginger root will be delivered, there are specialized sites dealing with spices, including ginger. The advantage of such an appeal will be the opportunity to contact the seller and clarify the request for what exactly you will need ginger: whether to dry, pickle, get ginger juice.
One of the variants of the name of ginger is translated from Sanskrit as "universal medicine": it is easy to buy ginger root without even leaving your home, and the benefits from it are really great.
