Description of Ginger Plant
The ginger plant is distinctive in both appearance and taste. This plant has been in use for centuries, and its flavorful root makes a great addition to any kitchen pantry. Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification:Zingiber Officinale
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The ginger most commonly used is in fact the root of a plant called Zingiber officinale. The plant is native to Asia, and it has been used in medical treatments and food preparation for over 4,000 years.
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The Plant's Features
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According to Floridata, Zingiber officinale is usually about four feet tall, with long, narrow leaves that measure around seven inches long. When the plant flowers, it produces small yellow-green flowers. The word "zingiber" is a distant relative of the Sanskrit word "shringavera," which means "shaped like a deer's antlers" (referring to the shape of the plant's leaves).
Ginger Root
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Ginger used for cooking and medicinal purposes is not the outer part of the ginger plant, but the root. Ginger root is light beige in color and looks a bit like a hand, with many small extensions from a larger main body. Ginger root should be firm and have no growths on the exterior.
Growing
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Ginger grows best in tropical climates. The largest producer of ginger is India, according to Floridata. However, Jamaica is known to produce the highest-quality ginger. Ginger root is available in the produce section of most grocery stores.
Uses
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Ginger is known to aid in nausea relief. It also provides distinctive flavor to many Asian and Indian foods. Many sweets also use ginger as a flavor agent, perhaps most notably the gingersnap.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit "rhizome" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: Crystl (Crystal) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
