Fresh ginger root is typically light brown on the outside and pale yellow on the inside. Ginger goes by many names in different languages such as Akekaduro (Twi), Kakatsofa(Ga), Ata (Ewe), and many others.
Ginger is one of the most used spices in the world and comes in numerous forms, including fresh, dried, pickled, preserved, crystallized, candied, and powdered/ground. In Ghana, ginger is an aromatic and spicy essential flavour in the vast majority of dishes. Aside from adding spice and zest to recipes, here are ways to use ginger.
On a chilly, rainy day, a cup of ginger tea feels like a warm hug. Just treat yourself to a steaming cup of ginger tea. It is simply hot water that has been infused with fresh ginger. It’s a spicy drink that may be made more to your liking by adding additional ginger or steeping it for longer. Fresh lime juice and honey are used in this dish to brighten and sweeten the flavour. Tea can be prepared in less than 25 minutes. Ginger teas are highly effective in treating nausea, and morning sickness and contain powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
If ginger tea isn’t your favorite but you still want the benefits of fresh ginger in your system. grate fresh ginger root into your favorite plain tea to help clear sinuses and for sore throat.
If you love making cocktails or just want delicious flavor-packed syrup for tea, coffee, lemonade, and desserts, then give the ginger syrup a try. Peel the ginger, either slice or grate the ginger depending on how you like it, then add the water, sugar, and ginger to a pot and heat over medium heat, stirring well to help the sugar dissolve. Reduce the heat to low-medium, and simmer for 20 minutes to allow the ginger flavor to infuse. Once the colour of the ginger syrup has changed and darkened, allow it to cool for a short while before straining it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any solids (i.e., the ginger pulp). Pour the cooled syrup into a clean airtight sterilized bottle/jar.
Fresh ginger is great for baking as it can be used for gingerbread, ginger snaps, ginger-spiced cakes, and pies. Ginger juice is good for a nutritious morning brew. Stir-fries and salad dressings are just a couple of the many dishes that ginger juice is fantastic in. It has a wide range of health advantages, including raising metabolism. Add some ginger to your morning smoothie if ginger juice is too strong for you on its own.
Ginger is good for naturally fighting bacteria. It’s also particularly good for treating pain, menstrual cramps, and exercise-induced soreness. Additionally, it can help with stomach issues and help to fight the symptoms of colds and flu.