Ginger

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Originally grown in the warm-humid tropical rain forests of East Asia. More than 3000 years ago, the plant reached India where it was cultivated as a medicinal and spice plant. Today's cultivation centres are the Malabar Coast of India, also Bengal and the Punjab, in Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan, Jamaica, Sierra Leone (West Africa), Nigeria, Brazil and other tropical and subtropical regions. Only a third of the world production is exported.

Description:

Of the reedy and very decorative plant with a height of 1.5m and purple to violet blossoms, it is the root stock or rhizome which supplies the spice. The horizontally spreading root becomes up to 50cm long, is tuberous branching, similar to the fingers of a hand, outside brownish, inside yellow and slightly fibrous. The individual segments of the root are slightly flattened. It contains the following substances: 0.6- 3.3% volatile oil with 70% zingiberene as main constituent, zingiberol as aroma carrier, and a sharp-tasting resin mixture with shogaol, zingeron, gingerol etc. These and some other chemical substances provide the ginger root with its mild and pleasingly aromatic odour and its characteristic burningly hot, slightly sweetish, pungent taste, especially when used in larger quantity. A protein splitting enzyme is contained in ginger, causing meat cooked with slices of fresh ginger to become more tender. Ginger is used against stomach, head and tooth aches, colds, as ointment against rheumatism and in the treatment of wounds. The Indians use ginger nearly daily as a digestion-supporting additive. It is pleasantly warming and antiseptic due to its sulphur content. The modern medicine considers ginger only as a stimulant to enhance metabolism and circulation in the presence of lack of appetite, digestive disorders, flatulence and colic.

Marketing :

Our ginger requirements are covered through imports during the whole year. The roots are harvested 9-11 months after the planting, when the stem begins to wilt. They are dug out and cleaned from earth. Ginger should be peeled with care, because the tissue layer containing the volatile oil is located directly below the external cork layer. Unpeeled, i.e. only washed and dried ginger is traded as 'black', 'grey' or 'covered' ginger; peeled roots however, are 'white' or 'uncovered' ginger. The roots, after being prepared in different ways, are sorted for colour and size and brough to market whole or cut in 5-10cm long bizarre pieces, sliced, shredded, powderized or canned. Sale per weight. Ginger root will keep fresh in the vegetable shelf of the refrigerator for approx. 10 days, wrapped in foil for 2-3 weeks, but not at lower temperatures.

Use:

Prior to use, a piece may be broken off the root, washed and if not yet done, thinly peeled or the skin is scraped off with a knife. Young, tender and not yet fibrous roots may be finely diced, pressed out or grated. Older, tougher and already fibrous roots should be either sliced in 2mm slices, then added to the cooking process and removed, or pressed through the garlic press in small pieces. The fibrous parts will remain behind. Ginger gives many dishes and beverages a pleasing odour and pungent taste. Soups, green beans, leeks, carrots and other vegetables, sauces, ground beef, live, poultry, venison, seafood, ham, cold pasties. Pork, lamb and mutton may be seasoned with ginger. If rubbed into the meat before roasting, the meat will have a very piquant flavour. Ginger also serves in the taste enhancement of fruit salads, fresh melon, compotes, tartlet stuffing, sweets, sweet and sour marinated pears, cucumbers, pumpkins and beans. It is also used in the preparation of baked goods, e.g. gingerbread and ginger snaps. Even ices, creams and chocolate dishes may have a very exotic overtone with a bit of ginger. Ginger may be added, in small doses, to apple jelly, gooseberry and rhubarb comfit and orange marmalade. Large quantities of ginger are used industrially in the production of seasoning mixes, curry powder, ketchup; candy and chocolates, ginger ale, but also in the perfume manufacturer for oriental fragrances, and much more