What is dried ginger?

Dried ginger is a medicinal spice made from ginger by peeling and drying it in the sun or through any other methods.

How to make dried ginger?

Dried ginger can be made by peeling raw or fresh ginger and drying it in the sun or through any other methods.

How to make dried ginger powder?

Making dried ginger powder is a simple process. Take some dried ginger and put it into a grinder and then powder it.

'Dried ginger' a medicinal spice-Apr. 20, 2024

Dried ginger is a spice made by drying the ginger scientifically known as ‘Zingiber officinale’. It is used mainly in powdered form to prepare masalas, curries and stews, especially in Asian cuisines. It is also used as a folk medicine to treat certain digestive disorders and ailments.

The spice is processed by drying the fresh ginger after soaking it in water overnight and removing the outer peel with a peeler or a knife. The process takes around a week, during which the same is sun-dried and periodically turned until they dry enough and turn pale white in colour.

The spice is believed to have originated and been first used around 5000 years ago in Southeast Asia from where it was propagated by the Austronesian peoples across the Indo-pacific regions like Australia, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

In India, during the ancient spice trade, ginger and dried ginger were produced primarily in the Southern states and the same was one of the first spices exported from Asia to Europe and used by ancient Greeks and Romans.

Ginger plants can be cultivated in a wide variety of soils. However, well-drained sandy loam, clay loam and laterite loam soils are the best ones for the ginger plants that require humid climates with adequate sunlight for their proper growth. Ginger can be harvested 8-10 months after planting. But to make dry ginger, the same has to be grown till it reaches full maturity. In short, the ginger which is grown to make dry ginger has to be grown for a longer time than the ginger which is grown to be used in its fresh and raw form.

Dry ginger is said to have many health benefits and it is also purported to help lose weight, lower cholesterol and blood sugar, relieve indigestion and menstrual pain and treat nausea and inflammation. Dry ginger contains proteins, fat, crude fiber, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, phosphorous, iron, manganese, copper and zinc, making it highly beneficial to health.

largest producer of dry ginger in the world is India, followed by China, Thailand and Nepal. The largest exporter is China, followed by Netherlands, India and Thailand, while the top importer is the US followed by Japan, the Netherlands, Pakistan and Germany.

In India, the largest producer of dry ginger is Assam, followed by Kerala, Orissa and Maharashtra.

Some of the main trading markets of dry ginger in India:

Assam (Berpeta, Langku, Darrand, Kamrup)

Kerala (Idukki, Wayanad, Palakkadu, Alleppey)

Orissa (Dharamgarh, Koraput, Kondhamal)

Names of dry ginger in different Indian languages:

Hindi Sookha adarak

Tamil Chukku

Malayalam Chukku

Frequently Asked Questions

What is dried ginger?

Dried ginger is a medicinal spice made from ginger by peeling and drying it in the sun or through any other methods.
How to make dried ginger?

Dried ginger can be made by peeling raw or fresh ginger and drying it in the sun or through any other methods.
How to make dried ginger powder?

Making dried ginger powder is a simple process. Take some dried ginger and put it into a grinder and then powder it.

Rebinson P.L.

Rebinson P.L. (@ebinso) is a self-published author, content marketing strategist, copywriter and editor who has been writing blogs, articles and advertising copies for various firms since completing his master's in English literature. He's dedicated to helping and guiding businesses of all sizes to achieve their desired reach and popularity.