Galangal Root Delivery or Pickup

Galangal root is the underground rhizome of a tropical shrub. Galangal is very similar in appearance to ginger. This cylindrical root grows in a series of branched knobs and shoots. It has tan woody skin circled in dark brown rings. The root is firm and fibrous. 

Inside, the flesh of the galangal root is ivory to yellow in color. It has a floral aroma with a distinct kick of spice. The flavor is warm, pungent, and woodsy with sweet notes of citrus. It's primarily used to flavor Asian cuisine. You can find it in many traditional Malaysian, Thai, Indonesian, and Chinese dishes. Compared to ginger, galangal root has a flavor that's spicier and more peppery. Turmeric is similar in flavor to ginger and galangal as well, though turmeric is more bitter.

Galangal root is believed to have some medicinal properties. It's used widely in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Galangal root has antibacterial properties and is believed to treat infections, fight various types of cancer, and reduce inflammation. It's even thought to increase fertility in men. 

Scientific studies back up some of these claims. In test-tube studies, the galangin compound in galangal root was able to kill two types of colon cancer cells. Galangal root extract has improved male fertility in some early studies, and test-tube and animal studies have shown that the HMP in galangal root has anti-inflammatory properties.

This rhizome contains antioxidants that can help your body fight disease. Essential oils extracted from galangal root can help fight infections. This rhizome also has polyphenols that can help control blood sugar and cholesterol levels and improve memory.

When you're selecting a fresh galangal root, you should look for one that has smooth skin without blemishes. It should have papery skin with slight rings around it. Small eyes are normal, but you should avoid galangal with soft spots or major blemishes. The root should feel firm.

You can purchase galangal root dried or in powdered form as well. Find all the galangal root products that you're looking for through Instacart and order them conveniently from the comfort of home!

You can keep galangal root fresh for up to three weeks by storing it with a damp paper towel in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator. You can freeze unpeeled galangal to preserve it longer. Wrap it securely in plastic wrap to help retain its freshness.

There are many ways that you can incorporate galangal root into recipes. It's often pounded or crushed to release the flavor and make it easy to stir galangal into a dish. You can also slice galangal root thinly to add it to your recipe. Galangal adds a flavorful kick to curries, stews, rice dishes, and satays. It's popular in recipes that include seafood, as the galangal root helps mask the fishiness of these meals.

Galangal root's sweet yet spicy flavor pairs well with garlic, onions, chiles, peppers, and green onions. It's well-suited to savory dishes such as meat and poultry.

You can also use galangal root in sweeter dishes where you want to add a little kick to smooth tastes like coconut milk and peanut sauce.