Ginger (spice)

Depending on the method of preliminary preparation, two types of ginger are distinguished:

• white ginger is a pre-washed ginger, peeled from a surface more dense layer;
• black ginger - not subjected to pre-treatment.

Both species are dried in the sun. Black ginger as a result gets a stronger smell and a more burning taste. At the break, ginger is light yellow, regardless of species. The flesh of young rhizomes is almost white; the older the rhizome, the yellower it is at the break.

External signs

Pharmacognostic description of the raw materials:

• The form is cylindrical, slightly flattened.
• Size - length 5-7 cm, diameter 2-4 cm.
• The nature of the outer surface is even.
• The nature of the fracture is fine-grained.
• The color of the outer surface is light brown.
• The color at the fresh break is brown.
• The smell is spicy, characteristic, fragrant.
• The taste is spicy, burning.
• Specific signs - characteristic odor, pungent taste.

Chemical Composition

The content of essential oil in dry rhizomes is 1.5-3%, its main component is zingibern (zingibern) - sesquiterpenes (a group of organic compounds of the terpenes class) - up to 70%, also contains camphene , cineole , bisabolene , borneol , citral , linalool . Ginger also contains vitamins C , B ₁ , B ₂ and essential amino acids . The burning taste is due to the substance gingerol ^[1] .

Most often, ginger is used in ground form. Ground spice is a grayish-yellow powdery powder. If it has a strong and lasting aroma, then it is considered better.

Cooking

Ginger is widely used in Russian cuisine. It is added to sbiten , kvass , liqueurs , tinctures , mash , honey , as well as gingerbread cookies , cakes , butter buns .

Addiction to add ginger to pastries, sweet foods and drinks internationally. Lollipops , preserves , cookies , muffins , biscuits , stewed fruit , puddings , beer , liquors of many kitchen traditions of the world contain ginger.

In Asian countries , ginger is added to preserves from meat and poultry, it is part of the famous curry seasoning, and as a specific flavoring it is used in some varieties of tea.

Young ginger marinated in sweet vinegar - gari ( я リ リ ) is used as a seasoning for sushi and rolls , as well as for their seizing in order to prepare taste buds for another type of sushi. For a more attractive color, burns are tinted pink with leaves of red railing : the natural color of burns is yellowish-gray. In addition, ginger, chopped into small strips and pickled in omeboshi brine, is called beni shoga ( 紅 生姜 生姜 ) (literally “red ginger”), and is used as a side dish for dishes such as gudon , yakisoba , tonkatsu , etc.

Ginger is also used as an independent product. In Southeast Asia, fresh ginger is candied and made from it; in China , Indochina , Burma and in England , orange peel is added to ginger jam - jam is known as chow-chow .

Ground ginger in India is added to flour and 4 grades of ginger flour are produced with different percentages of ginger.

In England , Australia and the United States , ginger beer is made from ginger, as well as soft non-alcoholic soft drinks, such as ginger ale .

The use of ginger in sauces for meat, vegetable and fruit marinades is typical for European and American cuisines. In Asian countries, ginger is used directly for stewing meat and poultry. Ginger has not only an aromatic effect on meat, but also makes it softer.

Ginger is added to different dishes at different times:

• in the dough - during the batch, or at the end of it
• when stewing meat - 20 minutes before readiness
• in compotes , jelly , mousses , puddings and other sweet dishes - 2-5 minutes before readiness
• in sauces - after the end of the heat treatment

Ginger bookmark rates are relatively high - up to 1 gram per 1 kilogram of dough or meat.

In medicine

Ginger rhizome ( lat. Rhizoma zingiberis ) goes on sale in pharmacies in a peeled or unpeeled form from a cork ^[1] .

It is believed that the rhizome has anti-inflammatory properties for the oral cavity and throat.

Ginger in the form of infusion , tincture , tea leaves, powder is used for seasickness, gastric ulcer , to increase appetite and improve digestion , atherosclerosis , impaired fat and cholesterol metabolism, to normalize the state of blood vessels.

"Ginger tea" (decoction) with honey and lemon is often used for colds.

Compresses are used to relieve headaches , back pain and chronic rheumatism .

Essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy for the treatment of psycho-emotional disorders, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, colds and viral diseases. It is used in hot inhalations , in baths, for rubbing, for massage and inside.

Ginger contains the substance gingerol ( English ), which, in combination with others ^{[ what? ]} bioactive components of ginger, has antidiarrheal activity in mice ^[2] .

In cosmetology

Ginger is an antiseptic and has an antifungal effect, and also regulates the production of sebum. Due to these properties, it is widely used in creating masks for hair, face and body. .