Ginger is a tropical plant native to Asia whose rhizome is used as a spice in cooking. With its characteristic, slightly tangy and spicy flavor, it is in fact used fresh, dried, powdered or candied in cuisines around the world to flavor a variety of dishes, from curries to desserts and drinks. Ginger is also a superfood, known for its medicinal properties. It is traditionally used to relieve nausea, headaches, muscle and joint pain, as well as to stimulate digestion. Ginger is also a food rich in vitamin C, ideal for strengthening the immune system and providing a good dose of energy.
Choosing ginger wisely
Choosing the freshest ginger from the start is the crucial step to extending its life once you get home. To know if ginger is fresh, pay attention to a few indicators. Fresh ginger gives off a strong, spicy, fresh smell. If the root you choose doesn’t have this characteristic smell, it may not be as fresh. Also look for a root with a smooth, firm outer skin, without signs of wilting or decay. It should be light brown to beige.
Finally, if the root feels heavy and firm to the touch, this most likely indicates that it is juicy and fresh inside. Carefully avoid roots that show signs of wilting, mold or rot, as they will not only deteriorate more quickly, but also risk damaging the rest of your fruits and vegetables.
Store ginger
Storing ginger properly is an excellent way to avoid food waste, but it is also a practical way to always have this essential ingredient on hand for your recipes.
First of all, know that ginger keeps much better in the refrigerator than in the open air. Fresh, it can in fact be kept refrigerated for several weeks, generally between 3 and 4 weeks depending on its size.
To do this, wrap the root in a damp paper towel, then in a perforated plastic bag and store it in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. Be careful not to peel the ginger whole, but rather as you use it, because peeled, it will tend to deteriorate much more quickly.
If you rarely use ginger, you can also freeze it. Peel it, cut it into pieces or grate it, then place it in an airtight freezer bag or a container suitable for freezing. It can stay good for several months.
For the more creative, you can preserve pieces of fresh ginger in rice vinegar or white vinegar. The vinegar will not only preserve the ginger, but you can also use it as the base of a sauce. And if you really don’t know what to do with all your ginger, you can preserve the fresh pieces in sugar and make candied ginger. Put them in a jar with sugar and water in the refrigerator and that’s it.
By using these methods, you can extend the shelf life of fresh ginger and always have some on hand for all your culinary preparations.
