What Is Ginger?
Ginger is a root with pungent and flavourful flesh that has been used as an herbal medicine by Asian, Indian and Arabic cultures since ancient times. In its natural state, ginger is a thick, knotted beige (light brown to golden-brown) root often referred to as a "hand" due to its vague resemblance of a human hand. It can be found in the produce section of almost any grocery store or fresh food market .
Jamaican ginger is generally regarded to be the best quality, but you can also find Indian and Kenyan ginger which tends to be darker in colour. Ginger is most commonly available in its natural raw state and in powdered spice form. You can also find pickled ginger, crystallized or candied ginger and young ginger which is pale green in colour.
Ginger In Cuisine
In the West, ginger is typically used in baking, such as gingerbread and ginger snaps but it is used in both sweet and savoury foods in India, Japan, Burma, Indonesia and the Middle East. Ginger is essential to Asian cuisine most especially as part of curry pastes and powders. Is is also commonly used in a pickled form or used raw in salads and often added to tea and coffee in the Middle East. Candied ginger is popular in India and it is also used as a flavouring for vegetables and lentil curries.
A carbonated beverage made from ginger root called ginger beer originated in England during the 1700s. Ginger ale, a milder form of ginger beer is popular in many cultures today and commonly used as a mix in alcoholic drinks.
Benefits of Ginger (http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/ginger.html)
Most commonly, ginger is used to relieve digestive woes. Because ginger increases the body's production of saliva and digestive fluids, it relieves indigestion, stomach cramps, gas and diarrhea.
Ginger has been found to be more effective than Dramamine in quelling nausea brought on by motion sickness and sea sickness, as well as pregnancy nausea.
Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to relieve pain and inflammation associated with rheumatism and arthritis. Ginger also stimulates blood circulation which cleanses the kidneys and the bowels and encourages the skin's natural rejuvenation process.
The stimulating effects of ginger can effectively warm the body and assist in breaking a fever. It can also help to break up phlegm in the lungs caused by asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems.
Ginger can boost energy levels and is often used to help treat and prevent colds and flus. It may also help to lower cholesterol. Ginger is believed to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties,
Ginger is also considered to be an aphrodisiac, particularly for women.
A Recipe for Homemade Ginger Ale
This recipe makes a fresher-tasting, more flavourful version of the ginger ale you can buy at convenience or grocery stores. You can also control both the sweetness of the drink and the strength of the ginger flavour by mixing to your preferences.
You may also experiment with ground cloves or cardamom for an extra kick of spice. Just a touch though!
Ginger water
- 1 cup peeled, finely chopped ginger
- 2 cups water
- Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- Club soda
- Lime juice
- Lime wedges
Directions:
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add ginger. Reduce heat to medium low and let ginger sit in the simmering water for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 20 minutes. Strain liquid through a fine mesh strainer. Discard ginger pieces.
- In a separate saucepan, make the Simple Syrup by dissolving 1 cup granulated sugar into 1 cup of boiling water. Set aside.
- Make individual (tall) glasses of ginger ale by mixing 1/2 cup of cooled ginger water with 1/3 cup of cooled Simple Syrup and 1/2 cup of cold club soda. Add a few drops of fresh lime juice, gently add ice cubes and a lime wedge to each glass. You may also garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
Makes four servings.
