Do you have a digestion problem? Or, are you someone looking for something that might reduce high levels of blood pressure? If so, eat some ginger! Although originally used as “folk medicine”, nowadays, ginger is an everpresent element of the culinary world, especially for adding spicy flavor to dishes like stir-fry. Therefore, if you fancy using this miraculous herb, it will be necessary to know how to store raw ginger in proper conditions.
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Contents
How to Store Ginger & How to Keep Ginger from Going Bad
Can ginger be stored at room temperature?
This is the best option if you intend on using all your ginger within a week of buying it. Simply place it on the countertop or in the pantry unpeeled until you need to use it.
But what about peeled or cut ginger?
Once peeled or cut, wrap any exposed area of flesh with aluminum foil, and then place in a plastic container. This will keep it from going bad too quickly.
How long does ginger root last in the refrigerator?
Up to 1 month.
The refrigerator is actually the best place for storing ginger. But how do you do that?
Simply transfer the peeled raw ginger into some paper towel and place it in the fridge.
What about unpeeled ginger root? What you should do is place it in a resealable plastic bag, and pop that into the vegetable drawer of your fridge. This will prevent it from picking up flavors from other food as well as keep it fresh.
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Can I freeze fresh ginger?
There are 2 ways that you can store fresh ginger in the freezer to keep it super cool and super fresh.
1 way is to soak it in alcohol!
Simply pop the peeled ginger into one of your favorite spirits, such as vodka or whiskey, and then let that sit in the freezer. The high alcohol content will preserve the ginger, and alcohol’s low freezing-point means it won’t turn into a ginger alcopopsicle anytime soon.
When you need to use your ginger, simply fish it out of the bottle, dry it off, then use it as you need. You’ll find it’s as fresh and as moist as the day you peeled it. Then, put in back into the bottle, and back into the freezer.
What’s more, the ginger will infuse its flavor into the alcohol it’s placed in, meaning you can make ginger-flavored cocktails.
If you’re not much of a drinker or do not drink alcohol, the freezer is still a great place to keep ginger.
Simply peel the raw ginger, wrap it in plastic wrap, and then seal it in a plastic container. It’s super effective and a lot less boozy.
When making a smoothie, you can use frozen ginger directly in the blender. However, you’ll need to thaw it first for cold dishes, or if it requires preparation like for stir-fry or baked goods. Bear in mind that once thawed the texture will become a bit mushy and soft. However, it is still edible and healthy.
How long does raw ginger last?
| At room temperature | In the refrigerator | In the freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw ginger expires in… | 1 week | 1 month | 5-6 months |
Does Fresh Ginger Go Bad?
Unfortunately, yes.
To find out if your raw ginger has gone bad, here are three things to look for.
Look. If you see a few tiny spots of mold, it’s time to get rid of your ginger. Because of the mold, the ginger will have lost its nutritional value and will become rotten quickly.
If you see any spots of mold on your ginger, it’s best to through the entire piece of ginger out. The roots of mold go surprisingly deep into food and can cause you to become ill if consumed.
Smell. Sometimes the outer skin can still appear normal and you think your raw ginger is completely fine. However, by smelling the flesh inside, you can determine if the raw ginger has gone bad. Typically, rotten ginger will not smell as strongly of ginger and will be accompanied by a sharp unpleasant smell.
Touch. Another reliable sign is a change in the texture. If raw ginger turns out to be soft or mushy, then toss it out.
Other Useful Tips
Should you wash ginger root?
It doesn’t make much sense to wash it if you’re only going to peel the outer skin off anyway.
However, if the ginger is young, its skin will be soft enough that there’s no need to peel it. In this case, you should wash it to get rid of any possible remaining dirt.
Is ginger tea good for insomnia?
Yes, it is.
Mixed with honey, ginger tea can be the best choice to fight the inability to sleep. The hormone, melatonin, which can be found in ginger, helps to calm people down and trigger sleep. Try to have ginger tea before bedtime. This will mean that the melatonin will be at its highest levels in the bloodstream at night, allowing you to sleep better.
Can I use ginger for hair masks?
Yes, ginger goes very well in hair masks.
Ginger contains fatty acids which are good for hair growth. It also helps to fight dandruff as it is a natural antiseptic. For people with dry hair, ginger can be an effective and natural way to make hair shiny by mixing it in a hair mask.
