Note to housewives: how to properly store ginger at home

What ginger can be stored

Ginger is a very healthy root vegetable. It saturates the body with vitamins, useful microelements. Regular use of roots significantly improves the functioning of the digestive tract, helps to fight seasonal colds, improves skin condition, and the work of the cardiovascular system.

The first thing to do before harvesting ginger is to select high-quality roots. You can store a root crop for a long time, which:

• has no signs of rot, spoilage, traces of mold and dents;
• has a firm and fresh skin.

The flabby and wrinkled peel of ginger indicates that the root vegetable is already stale, and therefore cannot be stored for a long time.

Where can you store ginger?

Saving ginger for the winter is easy. The most popular are two storage options: refrigerator and freezer.

Before sending the root to the refrigerator, you must carefully examine it for damage and signs of deterioration. For longer storage, ginger can be dried thoroughly, wrapped in a napkin and placed in a vacuum bag. This method will retain the properties of the spice for 1.5–2 months.

You can use the freezer to keep the ginger at home for a longer period. It should be borne in mind that the beneficial properties of the frozen root are lost, only the taste and smell remain.

Before sending the root to the freezer, dry it, chop it into large or small pieces and distribute it in containers. You can also prepare whole ginger by wrapping it in plastic wrap. The shelf life of the spice with this storage method is about six months.

In addition, the root crop is stored in cellars and basements, where the temperature is relatively low. However, in this case, there is a high risk of decay of the spice.

Video "How to store ginger at home"

This video shows you how to properly store ginger root.

Storage methods

A variety of options for harvesting spices at home will allow each housewife to choose the most suitable method. Beforehand, it is recommended to carefully examine the root crop for the presence of mechanical damage, traces of damage, rot or mold. If this rule is neglected, the shelf life of the spice is significantly reduced. In addition, the fruit will be of poor quality and tasteless.

Fresh

Now for how long fresh ginger is kept. In the event that it is prepared correctly, the shelf life of the root is about 2 months. Fresh root vegetables should not be peeled as this will only speed up spoilage. Ginger must be washed and dried thoroughly. After that, it is distributed in bags or wrapped in cling film. It is recommended to store it in a cellar or refrigerator.

Purified

The peeled root is not stored for long. Therefore, it needs to be harvested:

1. Send the root to boiling water, cool. Distribute in glass lidded containers.
2. Cover with lime juice. Send to a cool place.
3. Pour over with wine or vodka. Close tightly.

Sliced

The chopped root vegetable can be stored using the same method as the peeled root vegetable. This type of ginger has a short shelf life, so the main condition should be met - a cool, dark place.

Dried

The dried root has a much longer shelf life. It must be placed in a bag or paper and sent to a dry, dark place. The temperature should not be higher than 25 ° C.

A significant advantage of this storage method is the fact that dried ginger does not lose its beneficial properties.

Ground

If the ginger is in a factory container, it is stored in it. But if the root is crushed with your own hands, you should send it to a tightly closed container and put in a dark, dry place.

Marinated

Pickled pieces must either be preserved or sent to a vacuum bag. In the first case, ginger is stored in the refrigerator, in the second - in the freezer.

Rubbed

The grated root crop is stored for the winter in the same way as peeled. It is important to provide a low temperature, dry and dark place.

Ginger oil

Ginger oil can be purchased at any drug store. It is actively used in cosmetology and cooking. To keep the oil as long as possible, it must be placed in a cool, dark place.

Unusual storage methods

In addition to traditional methods of harvesting ginger root, there are original methods.

In the ground

The best composition for storing the root is a mixture of sand, peat and compost. It is recommended to place the container with soil in a dark and dry place. After some time, the plant will germinate. Fresh leaves can be eaten.

In alcohol

The method of preparing a ginger root in alcohol includes several stages:

1. Purification. The root crop should be carefully peeled. The layer to be removed must be very thin. To do this, you can use a teaspoon or a special knife for peeling potatoes.
2. The root must be cut into large slices or grated.
3. Send the chopped ginger to a glass dish.
4. Pour the mass with vodka or liquor.
5. Close the container and send it to the refrigerator.

Sugar

The ginger prepared according to this recipe will resemble candied fruits. Such a delicacy will perfectly complement any tea party.

To prepare the root, you must follow the following algorithm of actions:

1. Dissolve cane sugar in water. The proportion is 1: 1.
2. Cut the ginger root into slices and pour over the prepared sugar syrup.
3. The mass must be boiled over low heat for 20 minutes.
4. After that, the syrup with pieces of spice should be cooled.
5. Each slice is dipped into a container with powdered sugar, and then onto a baking sheet.
6. The pieces are baked in the oven for half an hour. It is important that the oven is preheated to no more than 80 ° C.

Such a spice is stored in a dark, dry place.

In vacuum cans and bags

Vacuum bags and containers keep the ginger intact. It is preliminarily crushed into pieces, grated or simply peeled.

How much ginger can be stored

This question cannot be answered unequivocally, because each storage method requires compliance with certain rules and regulations. The shelf life for each type of workpiece is different:

• fresh - the root crop without any packaging is stored for no more than a week, in paper or a bag - about a month;
• dried - about 1.5–2 years;
• cleaned - no more than 15 days;
• pickled - about 2 months;
• frozen - six months;
• ginger oil - 1 month;
• decoctions and tinctures - 2-3 hours at room temperature and 6 hours in the refrigerator.

The prepared ginger root will be an excellent addition to baked goods, various meat and fish dishes. In addition, the spice can be used in the preparation of the marinade, and the candied slices will diversify any tea party.