By Taylor Sutton, MS, RD
United Supermarkets’ Lifestyle Desk
Ginger is an underutilized ingredient in the Western diet, contrasting with its popularity in several other cuisines. It’s a spice derived from the root, not the plant’s flowering part.
Yellow ginger is the most common type, but there are many others, offering a unique flavor profile with warming sensations, citrus notes, earthiness, and a hint of soapiness. Substituting it is challenging, but you can attempt a blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice if you can’t run to the store. Whether in sweet or savory dishes, cakes, tea, or sauces, its versatile use is entirely up to you.
Ginger root, sourced from the zingiber officinale plant, boasts a rich history in Chinese and Indian medicine for treating various ailments, supported by both anecdotal evidence and some research studies. It’s been known to treat a variety of ailments including nausea, joint pain, menstrual cramps, upset stomach, cold/flu symptoms, and more. However, it’s crucial to conduct your research and consult your care team before incorporating ginger into your health routine.
Dried ginger is excellent in baking, curries, or stews, though its flavor differs from fresh ginger. Fresh ginger may require less than its dried counterpart due to how spices behave. Dried or fresh, ginger can enhance water, tea, jello, or simple syrup. Candied ginger or ginger candies, with distinctions between them, might aid with nausea.
If considering ginger supplementation, it’s essential to discuss it with your doctor before making any decisions. You can find this spice dried and ground in the spice aisle, whole in the produce section, and, in the living well supplements area as a powder or pill. If you are thinking about taking ginger it’s important to talk with your doctor before supplementing it.
Lemon Ginger Tea
What You Need
- 1 sliver Ginger
- 1 Lemon
- 1 tsp. Honey
- 2 c. Water
How It’s Made
1. Wash ginger and lemon.
2. Slice a thin piece of ginger.
3. Slice 1 lemon.
4. Heat water in the microwave.
5. Stir in honey.
6. Place ginger and lemon in the water and steep for 5 minutes.
7. Pour into a cup and add honey.
