La biblioteca de ingredientes
Jengibre
Bright, peppery and aromatic. Discover how fresh slices, dried spice and prepared blends bring different expressions of ginger.
A little brings a clear character.
The part of ginger used in the kitchen is a rhizome, an underground stem. Fresh ginger has a sharp aroma and a peppery finish. Dried, powdered, pickled and candied versions offer different textures and flavours, so choose the form that suits the dish or drink.
Encuentra tu formato.
Fresh
Slice for a prepared infusion or grate into a dressing, marinade or cooked dish. The cut changes the texture, so use the form your recipe calls for.
Dried or ground
Convenient for spice mixtures, baking and some drink preparations. Use a recipe intended for the dried format rather than swapping equal amounts of fresh ginger.
Blended or preserved
Infusion bags, sweetened drinks, pickled ginger and candied pieces have different uses. Read the ingredients to understand the sweetness, acidity and other flavours.
A place to start.
Choose the right form
For a fresh preparation, choose firm ginger and wash it before cutting. For a packaged drink or dried blend, begin with the maker's quantity and preparation instructions.
Slice, grate or brew
Use thin slices when your recipe calls for an infusion, or finely grate ginger into a small portion of dressing. Prepare dried blends for the temperature and time stated on the pack.
Taste before adding more
Ginger's peppery character can become the main flavour quickly. Begin with the recipe's suggested amount, taste the finished result and make one small adjustment at a time.
Start with flavour
The warming description here refers to ginger's peppery taste. Choose food and drink preparations for the experience you enjoy, and use the product label for the details of a finished blend.
What to look for.
Check fresh texture
Look for firm ginger. Illinois Extension advises avoiding pieces that are soft, shrivelled or dried out.
Compare the whole blend
A ginger-labelled drink can also contain tea, sweeteners or other botanicals. Check caffeine and allergens on the finished product rather than inferring them from the name.
Store by format
Fresh ginger and a dried spice jar need different storage. Keep packaged products as directed, close them after use and note any instructions for after opening.
Find a moment for it.
Bring the ingredient into an ordinary part of your day.
Introduce ginger through a small portion of dressing or a familiar cooked dish.
Explore products with ginger.
Read the full ingredients and preparation details on each product.
Keep exploring.
A fragrant citrus with a tart edge. A small amount of juice or peel can change a familiar preparation.
Also known as jujube. A mellow fruit flavour found in dried snacks, infusions and everyday cooking.
Further reference: Illinois Extension: ginger formats, selection and kitchen uses.