Ginger Delivery or Pickup

Ginger is the rhizome of the flowering plant with the same name. Although some people think that a rhizome is a root as it grows underground, it's actually the plant's main stem. The ginger plant's rhizome is pungent and aromatic and commonly used as a medicine or a food spice. 

Colloquially, the rhizome of the ginger plant is referred to as ginger or ginger root. Some other plants in the genus Zingiber also utilize the term "ginger" in their name. For instance, galangal, which is similar to ginger but has a sharper and more peppery taste, is known as blue or Thai ginger. Ginger is also related to turmeric and cardamom.

The use of ginger dates back more than 5,000 years, when the Austronesian peoples first cultivated the plant. They ate fresh ginger on its own and also used it to flavor their food. The leaves of the plant were used to weave carpets. Ginger also had spiritual meaning for these people, and they used it in their rituals to ask for healing and protection. 

When you're shopping for ginger, you want to look for ginger with shiny, taut skin. You'll want to select pieces with firm, heavy hands and avoid any that are wrinkled or show signs of mold, as this means they are past their sell-by date. Pieces with soft spots are also best left on the shelf. 

It's totally acceptable to snap off only as much ginger as you need from the rhizome. If it breaks off easily, you know you're buying fresh ginger. When you cut through a piece at home, and the inside of the ginger has blue streaks, don't worry that it may be off. This simply means you've bought Hawaiian blue-ring ginger.

Ginger root will stay fresh enough to use for about a week or so if you leave it outside in your vegetable rack. If you don't use ginger regularly, you can keep it fresh for longer by placing it in a resealable plastic bag and storing it in your fridge. Stored this way, ginger can last up to a month. If you've already peeled the ginger, place it in a closed container and use it within a few days. 

You can also put the ginger in a freezer bag and store it in the freezer. When you need some ginger, you don't need to thaw it, as frozen ginger is easy to peel and grate. An alternative way to store ginger is in a jar filled with sherry. Place the jar in the fridge, and the ginger will retain its texture for quite some time. In addition, you'll have some ginger-flavored sherry to use in your cooking.