The pungent, spicy sweetness of Ginger adds a unique taste to many recipes ranging from sweet to savory. Ginger is probably most closely identified with traditional Asian applications such as stir-fries and dipping sauces but it has a wide range of uses that go largely unnoticed.

The aroma, texture, and flavor of Ginger vary depending upon the timing of its harvest. Young ginger (spring ginger) has a pale, thin skin that does not require peeling. Milder in flavor and aroma, it can be found at many Asian markets in the springtime.

Mature ginger is more fibrous and spicy and has a tough outer skin that must be peeled away to reveal the fibrous flesh just underneath the surface. This ginger is harvested between ten to twelve months and is the type found at most American supermarkets.

Culinary Uses
Dried Ground Ginger can be found in the spice aisle and is most commonly used to flavor sweet desserts and some savory dishes. Ground and fresh ginger taste quite different and ground ginger is a particularly poor substitute for fresh ginger. Some of the other culinary uses of ginger include:

• Ginger is often found pickled in vinegar or sherry to be used as a snack. These thin slices of ginger are preserved in sweetened rice vinegar and most often seen used as a garnish or condiment in Japanese cuisine.
• Ginger Tea – Ginger can be stewed in boiling water to make ginger tea. Ginger tea is believed by some to improve digestion and relieve nausea.
• Ginger is also candied and can be used as a flavoring for candy, cookies, crackers and cake. Not surprisingly, ginger is the main flavoring in ginger ale as well as ginger beer.
• In a traditional Korean Kimchi recipe, ginger is finely minced and added into the ingredients of the spicy paste just before the fermenting process begins.

Supplement Information
Though it is more commonly used as a cooking aid, ginger may also be taken in higher amounts as an herbal supplement to prevent or relieve nausea resulting from chemotherapy, motion sickness, pregnancy, and surgery. Powdered dried ginger root is made into capsules to be taken as a supplement.

Ginger has also been used in folk medicine to treat minor gastrointestinal problems such as gas or stomach cramps. The juice of fresh ginger has been used in folk medicine as a remedy for burns and minor skin irritation.