The facts

Ginger is a root vegetable; it is misshapen and nugget like in appearance with a whitish, yellowish tone in colour and a zesty tang in flavour.

The uses

There are many uses for ginger and it comes in many forms, including fresh, pickled and powdered. The fresh and powdered forms are commonly added to Asian meals, stir fries and soups for extra flavour, while pickled ginger is a great accompaniment to sushi or sashimi. It can also be crystalised and eaten as a sweet treat. Ginger has also been known to ease nausea.

Choosing in store

When choosing fresh ginger look for pieces that are hard and crisp. They should permeate a slight spicy scent. Choose smooth ginger, if it has begun to go crinkly it might be too old.

Pair with

Stir fried vegetables, chicken, meat, fish and shallots.

Tip

To make a healthy cup of ginger tea, boil water, add 3 or 4 small pieces of ginger and simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Add honey to taste.