Ginger is a perennial plant, belongs to the Ginger family. More than 140 species are known, the most common pharmacy, which is also known as medicinal or ordinary.
Plant description
Ginger flower can be decorative and medicinal, which is also used in cooking. The plant comes from places where the tropical climate prevails. Therefore, for comfort it is necessary to provide high humidity and heat.
Flowering ginger
Appearance
When discussing ginger, what it is, they primarily recall its root, similar to Jerusalem artichoke. This is a tuberous plant, often called an earthen pear. Many do not even think about what a ginger plant looks like.
Decorative views are more colorful flowering. Ginger, used in medicine and cooking, does not bloom so abundantly as to direct forces to form powerful rhizomes. Because of its resemblance, a plant is compared to reeds. But his stalk is not covered with scales.
Bloom
Ginger blooms in spring and summer, and at home this is an extremely rare occurrence. With proper care and comfortable conditions, flowers appear in the third year of life. The color depends on the type of exotic representative of the flora. The most common shades:
- brown;
- orange yellow;
- reds.
What does a ginger plant look like:
- Inflorescences resemble ears formed on the top of the stem from folded leaves. They can be monophonic or combine several shades;
- The shape of the inflorescences is diverse. They look like cones, lilies, peonies.
Note! The flowering period is accompanied by the spread of a sweet aroma. It can lead to allergic reactions. With the onset of cold weather, flowering ends.
Leaves
Leaves begin to grow at the root. They are narrow and reach a length of 20 centimeters, while the plant itself can grow up to two meters. At the ends, the leaves are pointed, have scales.
Root
The root of the plant is almost on the surface, in the upper layer of soil. An underground stem covered with leaves is often confused with it. Inside it is yellow and fleshy. Rhizome develops and releases ground stems. They subsequently form leaves and inflorescences.
Root
The root has a sharp taste, in English it sounds like a ginger. The word has a different meaning - piquancy, which fully reflects the quality of the plant.
Ginger: vegetable or fruit
The question often arises: what is ginger, a vegetable or a fruit. In fact, it is neither one nor the other. He has a rhizome located in the ground. Therefore, ginger can not be attributed to fruits, usually growing on trees. It also cannot be called a fruit. Therefore, it is generally accepted that this is a herbaceous plant.
Where does ginger come from?
India and Southeast Asia are considered the homeland of ginger, from where the flower spread throughout the world. In Europe appeared in the Middle Ages. The inhabitants of Asia in ancient times used it as a spice and medicine. In China, used in ceremonies, it was believed that the plant scares away evil spirits.
Varieties and types for growing
Usually ginger root is light, slightly yellowish. Over time, with prolonged storage, it darkens, becomes brown. On the cut it is white, and then turns yellow. There is a variety characterized by a reddish color on the cut. But this is his only feature, it does not affect the taste and appearance of the terrestrial part of the plant.
Different varieties differ in color of inflorescences. They can be:
- green
- purple
- yellow with blue veins.
Flowers smell differently:
- an orange;
- freshly cut grass;
- kerosene.
The shape and length of the rhizome are another hallmark. There are different underground stems:
- resembling a fist or a hand with spread fingers;
- round and flattened;
- elongated;
- horned.
Ginger Zerumbet
Ginger Zerumbet is an ornamental plant whose inflorescences resemble a cone. Its scales are densely closed. At first they are green, during flowering they become bright red, then they acquire a brown tint. At this time, between the flakes you can find seeds that are used for reproduction.
The plant is popular, as it is considered unpretentious. You can grow at home and in the open field.
Ginger Zerumbet
Additional Information. Zerumbet has useful properties: in flowers there is a liquid that can be added to shampoo and wash your hair.
Ginger purple
Purple ginger is also called Play. It differs from the usual one in that it has a cooling effect. Therefore, it is often used in medicine as an anesthetic and antiseptic.
The root part is yellow or green. It grows mainly in India and Thailand. In the spring-summer period, flowers appear, they can be white or yellow. This spreads a pleasant aroma with a camphor note. Purple ginger is often added to essential oil, it is beneficial for:
- joint pain;
- asthma attacks;
- bowel problems;
- fatigue, insomnia.
White ginger
White ginger is also called Bengali. This is a plant variety intended for trade. The root is taken out of the ground and cleaned. Then it is kept for some time in a weak solution of sulfuric acid. The purpose of the procedure is to make the root not so sharp, it acquires softness and a pleasant aroma.
Black ginger
Black ginger is also a commercial plant variety. His other name is "Barbados." After the roots are taken out of the ground, they are poured with boiling water. Thanks to this action, the root acquires a burning and pungent taste.
Pink ginger
Pickled ginger (burning) is red. On the cut of the fresh root, the tint is yellowish gray. It turns red as a result of the action of vinegar and sugar, with which the plant is mixed. Usually it is served with fish dishes to break the taste and proceed to the next product.
Restaurants specializing in Japanese cuisine always use pickled root when serving their dishes. Many delivery services use the plant in its name, for example, "Ginger" in Zlatoust, "Southern Ginger" in Krasnaya Polyana.
Ginger Mioga
Mioga - Japanese ginger, is frost-resistant. This is the only plant in the Ginger family that can survive at temperatures below zero. The inhabitants of Japan appreciate the buds that are used in food:
- stew, pickle, preserve;
- add to soups;
- used as a seasoning.
Ginger Mioga
Medicinal ginger
Ginger is a plant known for its medicinal properties. The inflorescence of a tropical pharmaceutical representative of the flora resembles a lump, called spike-like. In the wild, it does not occur. The flowers are purple-brown or yellow. In medicine, plant roots are used that are dug up after flowering. Then cleaned and dried. Their color is white and yellow, have a sharp aroma and a burning taste.
Healing properties
The positive effect of ginger on the body is explained by its composition, it is even called a golden doctor. It contains essential oils, vitamins, amino acids, substances with antiseptic, analgesic effect.
What cures ginger:
- has a laxative and choleretic effect;
- helps fight worms;
- used in heat as a diaphoretic;
- stimulates blood circulation;
- treats muscle, joint pain and inflammation.
It is also used for nervous disorders, which are accompanied by a manifestation of aggression. In addition, it helps to restore memory, improves attention.
Important! When using drugs based on the root of a plant, even if it is an essential oil, you should consult your doctor. There are contraindications for use. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in children under 7 years of age.
Cooking Application
A burning plant is widely used in cooking. Adding root vegetables to dishes will help reveal the taste of the remaining ingredients, the main thing is to use the product correctly. Its use is possible in fresh, dried, pickled forms. It is added in whole or in part. The powder is used to make soups, sauces, desserts.
Note! Shredded fresh ginger is best added to meat and fish dishes. And do it 15 minutes before the dish is ready.
The dough is made from root vegetables and added when kneading. To prepare the sauce, ginger should be poured at the very end. Many desserts and drinks can not do without burning spices.
Drinks are popular due to not only the original taste and tonic effect, they contribute to weight loss. To make tea with ginger, you need to grate a teaspoon of the root and brew boiling water. Ginger goes well with honey. The main thing is to remember that it is added at the end when the drink has cooled to room temperature. Otherwise, honey will secrete carcinogens that are dangerous to the body. A slice of lemon is added to the finished drink.
Ginger Tea
Lemonade and kvass are made from fresh root. You can make a delicious dessert, with the addition of dried fruits. They need to be cooked by adding any spices to taste, for example, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves.
Which dried fruits to choose depends on preferences:
- apples
- raisins;
- dried apricots;
- prunes
- dates.
When the mass, diluted with water, thickens, a teaspoon of ginger is added. Syrup goes well with ice cream.
Turmeric and Ginger
Often when preparing dishes, the question arises, is it the same ginger and turmeric, are they interchangeable spices. Plants belong to the same family, so you can consider them relatives. They have some similarities regarding appearance and development. Turmeric also uses a root. But his taste is not so burning, it is softer and more pleasant. Therefore, when added to products during cooking, you can not be afraid to spoil the dish. Another similarity is the warming effect that both plants have.
Turmeric contains coloring pigments, even the root is bright yellow on the cut. Therefore, it is often used in cooking to give the desired shade. Turmeric is also valued in light industry and traditional medicine. Mostly, it fights bacterial and viral infections, and is capable of healing wounds.
Key differences:
- taste;
- the color of the root in the cut.
Growing Ginger at Home
You can grow ginger from a root purchased in a store. The main thing is that it is fresh and supple. At the root, buds are visible that will help a new plant appear. To wake up, you need to put planting material in the water for a couple of hours.
Note! If part of the root is taken and a cut is made, then the wound must be treated. For this, coal and a weak solution of potassium permanganate are suitable.
Drainage is placed in the pot, then the prepared soil. It should consist of:
- sand;
- turf;
- humus.
The root is deepened by 3 centimeters so that the kidneys are at the top. It is necessary to water the plant abundantly, shoots will appear in 2-3 weeks.
Growing at home
It is important to provide the flower with comfortable conditions:
- periodically spray to create high humidity;
- protect from direct sunlight;
- water depending on temperature, increase the frequency of moisture in hot weather, and avoid drying out the soil;
- after the leaves have wilted, remove them and dig out the root, peel, dry, if necessary, store at a temperature of about 4 degrees.
Care depends on what ginger is for. If acquired for flowering, as an ornamental plant, then at home you need to follow simple rules:
- do not remove the rhizome after the leaves are wilted;
- rarely water in winter, providing the plant with peace;
- in the spring to feed and increase watering;
- use a small pot to limit root growth.
Ginger is a plant that has both decorative properties and is widely used in medicine and cooking. The flower comes from a tropical climate, it can be kept at home, providing warmth and creating high humidity.
