How is Dried Ginger Used in Cooking?

Ginger root has so many health benefits and culinary uses, many people are seldom without some form of dried ginger in their kitchen. Fresh ginger has a spicy, slightly sweet, zesty, and peppery taste. Its storage life is about two months in the refrigerator. Dehydrated ginger, in various forms, has a much longer shelf life yet still provides the spicy flavor of ginger root.

Dry Ginger Powder

Dehydrated ginger powder has a milder flavor than raw ginger. It can be used in baked goods such as cookies, bread, and cakes. The powder is also used to make ginger tea. Ginger tea is often used as a home remedy for colds and as a treatment to ease digestive problems. Adding a little dry ginger powder to honey makes a delicious spread for toast.

You can make your own powdered ginger by grinding dried ginger slices in a spice grinder until you get a fine powder. An appropriate way to store the powder is in an airtight bag in the freezer.

Versatile Ginger Slices

Dried ginger slices have a longer shelf life than fresh ginger. Keeping a supply on hand assures you have the ginger you need when preparing sweet or savory dishes that use ginger root. You can rehydrate dry ginger slices by placing them in a saucepan with a few tablespoons of water and briefly heating them over medium heat. Overcooking the ginger slices will result in a loss of the spicy ginger flavor.

Crystallized Ginger

Not only is crystallized ginger an ideal traveling companion because of its ability to relieve nausea and indigestion, but it’s also a fantastic recipe ingredient. Sugary chunks or slices of dried ginger are an ideal dessert topper. Adding crystallized ginger to cake, cookie, or bread recipes that include ginger powder will give the dessert an extra boost of spiciness.

Ginger in Drinks

Powdered ginger can be used in numeorus drink recipes. Ginger Lemonade is an ideal summertime drink. It’s refreshing and slightly spicy. Ginger water and ginger tea are drinks that are often consumed as a way to acquire the health benefits ginger provides. Hot ginger tea with honey is an ideal way to sooth cold symptoms.