Ginger - 2023 Herb of the Year!

Ginger - 2023 Herb of the Year!

Ginger is a wonderful herb that has been used for thousands of years for both its culinary and medicinal properties. It's no wonder that it was named the herb of the year! Here's everything you need to know about growing, storing, harvesting, and using ginger.

Growing Ginger:

Ginger is a tropical plant that requires warm temperatures and moist soil to grow properly. Here are some steps you can follow to grow ginger:

  1. Choose a ginger root from your local grocery store or farmer's market. Make sure it's fresh and plump, with no signs of mold or decay.

  2. Fill a shallow container with rich, well-draining soil. Make sure the container has drainage holes.

  3. Soak the ginger root in warm water for a few hours to encourage sprouting.    

  4. Plant the ginger root with the eyes (or buds) facing up and cover it with a few inches of soil. Water it thoroughly.

  5. Place the container in a warm, humid location with indirect sunlight. Ginger likes to be kept moist, so water it regularly.

  6. In a few weeks, you should see sprouts emerging from the soil. Keep watering and caring for your ginger plant, and you should have fresh ginger in 8-10 months.

Storing Ginger:

Once you've harvested your ginger, it's important to store it properly to keep it fresh. Here's how to do it:

  1. Wash the ginger root thoroughly and dry it with a paper towel.

  2. Store the ginger in a paper bag or an airtight container in the refrigerator. Ginger can last up to 3 weeks in the fridge.

  3. You can also freeze ginger for long-term storage. Simply peel and chop the ginger, then store it in a zip-top bag in the freezer.

Harvesting Ginger:

When your ginger plant is ready for harvest, you'll notice the leaves turning yellow and dying back. Here's how to harvest ginger:

  1. Dig up the entire ginger plant, being careful not to damage the roots.

  2. Carefully remove the soil from the roots and cut off the stems.

  3. Separate the rhizomes (or ginger roots) from the rest of the plant.

  4. Rinse the ginger roots thoroughly and store them using one of the methods mentioned above.

Using Ginger:

Ginger is a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas:

  1. Grate or chop fresh ginger and use it in stir-fries, soups, and curries. It will ad a hint of spice. We use it to up the spiciness, but not the heat in our BBQ Blend, Chili Blend and 4 Spice Meat Rub.

  2. Make ginger tea by steeping sliced ginger in hot water with lemon and honey. We have ginger our Therapeutic Tea as well as our Traditional Chai

  3. Use ginger in baking, like in gingerbread or ginger snaps. We use ginger in our Cinnful Dessert Blend.

  4. Make ginger syrup by boiling sliced ginger with sugar and water. Use the syrup to flavor cocktails or as a sweetener in tea.

  5. Include Ginger in Fall dishes to encourage the body to stay warm.  We include it in Mulling Spices and Boston Baked Beans, two special Fall items.
  6. Use ginger massage oil or cream as a natural remedy for sore muscles, headaches, and nausea.

So there you have it - everything you need to know about growing, storing, harvesting, and using ginger. Give it a try and see how this amazing herb can add flavor and health benefits to your life!

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