Terri Ramsey Beavers The usage of ginger can be traced back 5000 years ago when ancient Indians and Chinese concocted ginger roots to cure common ailments. Further, even though it originated in Southeast Asia, ginger was also cultivated in Europe and became a popular spice in Mediterranean countries because of the traders.
Moreover, ginger is also known not just for its medicinal uses but also for its immense contribution to cooking. While ginger is widely used on main dishes, it is also added to various desserts to create a kick and depth of flavor. But, working with this spice can be daunting at first, especially if you don’t know how to get the most of it.
Thus, worry no more because we’ll provide the ultimate kitchen tips and tricks when dealing with ginger in your cooking.
1. How to Properly Store the Ginger
Are you having a hard time looking for a kitchen trick on how to prolong the life of fresh ginger? Well, the answer is here. You can store your fresh ginger in the refrigerator, still intact and without removing the peel. For longer shelf life, place the ginger in a freezer bag, remove the air inside, and put the bag in the crisper drawer in your refrigerator. This trick might be simple, but it’ll extend the ginger’s life.
2. Easy Peeling Technique
Peeling the ginger skin using a knife can remove most of its flesh, especially if you don’t have a good knife skill. As a result, you’ll be left with a few ginger portions. Instead of using a knife, you can use the inside of the spoon to peel the skin. This way, it’s only the skin that will be removed. Try it now!
3. Ginger Tea Benefits
In ancient times, ginger tea was given to people who were suffering from common illnesses. Today, through medical advancements, scientists have discovered the magnificence of ginger, especially when it enters the body. If you’re having a bad day or just wanting to revitalize your body, just prepare a cup of ginger tea and enjoy its health benefits.
Relieves Nausea
Researchers say that ginger can alleviate morning sickness and relieve nausea. In a study, using ginger powder supplements to people who have undergone chemotherapy reduces nauseousness. Also, doctors say the benefits of ginger intake relieve gastrointestinal issues, which can cause nausea, too.
Boosts Immune System
Ginger contains anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants that help the immune system fight alien substances inside the body. During this pandemic, you can take a cup of ginger tea as a supplement to boost your immune system. Besides drinking the tea, you can inhale the steam from the ginger tea as it can help unclog your decongested nasals.
Improves Weight and Blood Sugar
Increasing the feeling of being full and reducing the thought of being hungry is one of the benefits you can get from drinking ginger tea. This way, it becomes helpful to maintain your weight and blood sugar. Studies also concluded that ginger tea could help manage obesity and other complications related to obesity.
4. Multipurpose Ginger Powder
Are you running out of ideas about how to make the most out of your ginger? Why not try making ginger powder?
Ginger powder is a multipurpose kitchen condiment that can be used as instant ginger tea or seasoning to soup, dressing, marinades, stir-fries, etc. All you need to do is to peel the ginger, clean them with water, dry them using a clean towel, slice them, and arrange them in your dehydrator, a kitchen appliance.
5. A Great Addition to Pie Fillings
Nobody likes an out-of-this-world pie filling, right? Therefore, adding grated ginger to your pie filling adds a zingy dimension to your pie. Furthermore, the flavor of ginger complements berry fillings like blueberry and raspberry and the classic apple filling. It’s also a great addition if you’re making a tropical-flavored pie, such as pineapple pie.
6. Grow Your Own Ginger Indoors
The price of ginger in the market can change from time to time. The price change may occur when there’s not enough or if the demand is high. It’s also difficult to identify whether the ginger in the market is still fresh as sellers can easily conceal the low-quality produce. That’s why to ensure safety and freshness, plant your ginger garden outside or a small pot inside your kitchen.
Takeaway
In a nutshell, ginger is a luxurious and versatile spice that has been proven to have tons of contributions to medicine and cooking. In cooking, it’s also important to maintain the ginger’s freshness so that it won’t get rot quickly and still be used in your next cooking. Thus, with the help of the tips and tricks enumerated above, dealing with ginger will never be unnerving.
Upon knowing that ginger has a lot of uses, it’s better to plant and grow one in your indoor or outdoor garden.
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