Storage of ginger root at home: rules and shelf life, tips

In this article we will talk about how to properly store ginger root in different forms.

The root of ginger, or as it is also called the "horned root" is one of the most useful plants with valuable healing properties. Given this, many prefer to always have it at hand. But not everyone knows how to properly store ginger root. After all, he must preserve not only his fresh appearance without damage, but all the useful elements in the proper amount. Therefore, in this article we will consider what conditions of savings in the eastern spice should be followed.

How much and how to store the root of ginger in fresh form: rules, terms, recommendations

Before starting to store the root of ginger, it is worthwhile to verify its freshness. This is easily determined by its even, smooth appearance, good density and white or light yellow on the cut. Soft, wrinkled, dried, with a damaged skin, yellow or even brown ginger for storage on a cut is not suitable!

• It should be said right away that the season of this plant - Autumn and the beginning of winter.At this time, buying fresh ginger is not a problem. It is freely sold in markets, in stores and fine Store in the refrigerator.

Important: in no case do not try to store ginger root at room temperature! Literally after 2-3 days it will become gray on the cut, change its taste, and then the aroma.

• But here it is important not to forget the main condition - Before storage, the root must be well dried,so that there is not a drop of moisture on its surface. True, if there is no pollution on it, then it should not be wetted. Like any root crop, washing before storage reduces the term itself.
  • You can store spices In a paper napkin,which will absorb excess moisture. But then you can store ginger root for no more than 1 week.

• The second important rule - Exclude air contact! Ginger itself has a fairly sharp and specific smell. He can convey it to other products. But even oxygen dries the root crop faster, bringing the time of damage.
  • Therefore, we wrap it in a package, tied tightly, or use modern packages withzIP. You can also wrap them in a food film. Conveniently and practical, and most importantly-the shelf life increases to 2-3 weeks.
  • Also Small life hack- Place the root in the package and close it almost completely. Insert the tube and soak the air from the package, creating the conditions of the vacuum. So the product will last longer and will take places less. But still for more than a month it does not lie.

Important: ideally, such a manipulation should be done with each root. After all, starting to deteriorate, the root crop can “infect” other ginger products. Or, at least once every 2-2.5 weeks, conduct an audit, selecting spoiled roots.

• The third important rule - This is light.If you exclude it as much as possible, then increase the shelf life to 1 month. Therefore, the most effective scheme when you wrap each root in a napkin, and then put in packages with a fastener, removing air from them.
  • An excellent solution is also foil. You can do with it only by its help, or you can also pack it in a bag.

How and how much can the root of ginger be stored in purified, cut or grated form?

This method acts as an excellent alternative when it is necessary to preserve the root of ginger, which has already begun to deteriorate. That is, you need to remove the place of damage and Follow this algorithm:

1. Spoon or back of the knife, clean the skin. It is very thin, and a large mass of nutrients is focused precisely under the skin. Therefore, we do not cut it!
2. Cut with crowbar or straw, or rubbed on a grater
3. Pour water and tightly cover with a lid. You can use plastic soda

The following scheme will help to reanimate the root and extend the shelf life:

• previously, soak the root in water for 7-8 hours, then scrape the upper layer of the skin
• after placing in a container with cold boiled (!) Water so that it completely covers it, and put it in the refrigerator for storage. Use as necessary

Important: but a cleaned root, in a crushed or very form, is not stored in water for more than 10 days! You can extend the time a little if you fill the root rice vinegar or lemon juice, lime.But for more than 2 weeks, the product will not stand. In addition, take into account that such a rich liquid will affect the taste of the root crop.

How much can I store the root of ginger in the form of decoctions?

Unfortunately, such a product is not stored for more than 3 hours at room temperature, and up to 5 hours in the refrigerator. Ideally, always prepare a new decoction. It is also worth knowing that over time the decoction begins to bitter, acquiring a bright ginger taste.

Ginger tincture will help keep ginger root longer

• One of the most common ways to preserve ginger is alcohol tincture. Everything is done in the same way as for storing ginger in water. Only instead of boiled water is used White wine, alcohol or vodka.
• In this case, in addition to the root, which retained all its valuable qualities, we also get useful tincture, which can be used as a therapeutic agent. For example, you can add to tea with a cold. And the shelf life of ginger in this form is extended For 3-4 months.

• If you use alcohol:
  • keep in mind that it needs to be taken no more than 70%. Otherwise, it will need to be diluted with water
  • alcohol tincture is ideal for compresses, and is taken inside only for medicinal purposes and in diluted form 1: 4
• If you took vodka or wine as a basis:
  • you can take any other strong drink - this only increase the taste and aroma. For example, sherry, whiskey or rum is perfect
  • such a drink is ideal for cooking meat dishes, sauces, broths or baking

Important: also remember the important rule of any tincture - you need to store and expose it only in dark and glass containers! It is preliminarily withstanding 14 days in a warm and dark place, wrapping with paper to exclude sunlight.

How to store the frozen ginger root?

It is believed that ginger, stored in the freezer, significantly loses its useful qualities. But at the same time, it retains taste and initial freshness for a long time. If you plan to use ginger as a therapeutic or preventive agent, then it makes no sense to freeze it. But if it is planned to use as taste additives to various dishes, then it is quite possible to make its frozen reserves.

There are several ways to keep ginger:

1. Clean the root, cut with comfortable pieces and packing according to forms
2. It is not necessary to clean the root, chop into thin slices, put on the board and freeze. After packing bags or soda
3. Grate or scroll through a meat grinder. Lay out into the tin-ice molds. After hardening, you can pack it in another container or package
4. You can lay out the dull mass on the parchment, forming a layer of 1 cm. Freeze, and then cut into portioned pieces and pack it in molds, bags

Important: this method allows you to maintain ginger root for 6 months.

Dried ginger is the longest way to keep ginger root

Inferior in its useful properties to fresh root crop, but has a more concentrated odor and taste. Therefore, it is also used mainly for flavoring various dishes.

• If you have a store or home product in a powder -shaped doll, then you can store ginger root in a tightly closed glass jar or a plastic container at room temperature.
  • Keep in mind that ginger He does not like heat and high humidity. Therefore, remove it in a dark place from direct sunlight, but also monitor the temperature regime - up to 30 ° C. In this form, the root can be stored in the refrigerator.
• If you bought or yourself dried the slices of ginger in the oven, then storage conditions are slightly different. By the way, it is very simple to do this - it is enough to withstand it for 2 hours at a temperature of 50 ° C, periodically turning over.
  • Avoid hermetic container - There should be an air circulation. Therefore, store in a paper or fabric bag
  • In a dark place up to 35 ° C, with avoiding moisture! Storage in the refrigerator is allowed

Important: the total shelf life of dried ginger up to 2 years if the requirements for moisture and temperature regime were observed.

How to store pickled ginger root?

Japanese cuisine does not do without this fragrant component, and in many salads it finds its application today. Usually pickled ginger is purchased ready -made in stores, but if desired, you can marine yourself if the young roots of this plant can be found in the season. But in any case, it is necessary to store the root of ginger correctly so that it does not begin to deteriorate.

• The shelf life of pickled ginger - no more than 2.5-3 months
• There must be a refrigerator for storage
• In no case do not allow contact with metal, and even worse - with aluminum
• Pickled ginger can be frozen. Moreover, this can be done in a package, in a ship or in ice forms
• But he does not tolerate repeated freezing

How to preserve the root of ginger in the ground for a long time?

• This method, however, is suitable only for those who have a cellar or cool pantry to store ginger root. It is necessary to mix sand with peat and humus in equal parts. An important condition is dryness! All components must first need to dry well.
• To do this, you interfere with dry and whole roots in pots and fall asleep with soil. Shelf life up to 6 months, But the root crop retains its original freshness as much as possible.
• If you put the boxes with ginger in a warm room, and even in the sun, then you can soon harvest your crop!

How to store the root of ginger, groomed with honey, lemon?

• Unfortunately, this "wonderful mixture from colds and for immunity" requires quick use! Maximum shelf life - 2 weeks, and only in the refrigerator.
• In no case can you store ginger root in an aluminum or metal container, Since the product is possible! Choose glass jars that will be well closed with a lid, better plastic. Metal twisting covers must be without any flaws!
• And how to prepare such a healing mixture correctly, you can read in our article  « 10 best ginger recipes with honey and lemon». 

Ginger contains about four hundred trace elements and vitamins. It was used as a therapeutic agent in the Middle Ages. And today, the spectrum of its application is so wide that many call it the “root of life” and “cure for all diseases”. But all this applies to him if you store the root of ginger correctly!

Video: How to store ginger root?