Ginger

Ginger
Ginger is a flowering plant in the family Zingiberaceae whose rhizome, ginger root or simply ginger,
is widely used as a spice or a medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual stems about
a meter tall bearing narrow green leaves and yellow flowers. Ginger is indigenous to southern China,
and was spread eventually to the Spice Islands, other parts of Asia and subsequently to West Africa
and the Caribbean. Ginger was exported to Europe via India in the first century AD as a result of the
lucrative spice trade.India remains the largest producer of ginger.Ginger produces clusters of white
and pink flower buds that bloom into yellow flowers. Because of its aesthetic appeal and the adaptation
of the plant to warm climates, ginger is often used as landscaping around subtropical homes. It is a
perennial reed-like plant with annual leafy stems, about a meter tall. Traditionally, the rhizome is
gathered when the stalk withers; it is immediately scalded, or washed and scraped, to kill it and
prevent sprouting. Ginger produces a hot, fragrant kitchen spice.Young ginger rhizomes are juicy and
fleshy with a very mild taste. They are often pickled in vinegar or sherry as a snack or just cooked as
an ingredient in many dishes. They can also be steeped in boiling water to make ginger tea, to which
honey is often added; sliced orange or lemon fruit may also be added.