How to keep Ginger fresh for long

It may be pungent and oddly shaped but ginger has a long-standing reputation as a healing plant. For centuries, it’s been a go-to home remedy for everything from an upset stomach to cold and flu symptoms. With its high levels of Vitamin C, magnesium, and other minerals, ginger root is extremely beneficial for health.

Ginger — the spice of life provides a splash of heat to your favorite soups, curries, and stir-fries. The pseudo-root (which is not the root but a plant’s underground stem) has extensive use in culinary tradition. Whether you know it as ingefära, jengibre, or adarek, you are probably well familiar with ginger.

Ginger is intrinsically tied to Indian and, on a broader scale, Asian history. The spice commonly found in every Indian household is closely related to turmeric, cardamom, and galangal. Ginger can be used fresh, dried, powdered, or as an oil or juice. Ginger will last for 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge if you store it properly, with the right conditions in the fridge.

Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger is among the healthiest spices present on this planet, and has been used as a spice or medicine since ancient times. Nutritional and medical research have noted that ginger has the potential to lower glycemic indices for folks with Type 2 diabetes as well as relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and chemotherapy-induced nausea.

They can be eaten raw, this wonderful root tuber is blessed with so many nutritional values that help in fighting germs, illness, inflammation, and cancer-causing molecules, taking a little bit every day can help to improve your overall health condition.

How to store Ginger

From tea to vegetables, ginger is rich in Ayurvedic properties to enhance the taste of many dishes. It has great utility in the kitchen. Instead of buying ginger for 10-20 rupees, we prefer to bring it in bulk, so that it is cheaper and does not have to go to the market again and again. In such a situation, there is also the fear that it may spoil quickly. Ginger lasts for 10 to 14 days unpeeled on the counter before it can go bad.

The best method to store ginger depends on if the ginger is whole, peeled, sliced, or grated. Whole and unpeeled is the easiest and best way to store ginger; it can be kept in a pantry or refrigerated or frozen. Peeled, sliced, or grated ginger must be protected from air contact and refrigerated.

Ginger at room temperature

When you buy whole ginger the roots can be washed and kept in a cool, dry place on the kitchen counter or pantry. If the temperature of the kitchen is cooler then it can last for 2 weeks without spoiling. But if the temperature is warmer then it will last for up to 1 week on the kitchen top.

Refrigerate the whole ginger root

Ginger along with other vegetables is also kept in the fridge. You can place the ginger in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container, and put it in the crisper drawer. Make sure that the ginger wraps properly so that there is no air and moisture in it. When stored properly it can last for more than a month in the refrigerator.

With the help of acidic liquid, you can store ginger for a long time. For this, you first peel the ginger and then put it in a jar of acidic liquid. If you want, you can easily store it in vinegar or lemon juice.

With the help of a recyclable bag, ginger can be kept fresh for more than a month. Keep the ginger in it and let it out and seal the air present in it. In this way, keep the freshness and aroma of ginger for a long time.

If ginger is not stored properly, it becomes dry and hardens or rots due to excess moisture. In such a situation, you can store it safely for a long time with the help of the tips given.

Freezing Whole Ginger

Ginger can be frozen for future use. Peel the ginger, cut it into chunks and place them in a freezer-safe container. When you are ready to use it just mince the frozen ginger, or puree it in a food processor to use it in gravy. You can also freeze the minced ginger and use it directly in soups or vegetables. Use should use the frozen ginger within six months.