About the Root: The piece of root in the picture is only a small piece of a whole root. Larger pieces look much like cactus in the desert. You find fresh gingerroot in the section of the produce department that is kept cold and moist, where you would find fresh greens, celery, and carrots. Take a look next time you are at the store. They look pretty strange, almost prehistoric.
About the Root cut open: The meat of the gingerroot is dense and fibrous. In other words, it is tough. Preparing gingerroot is not an easy task. With all the nubs and arms it is difficult to peel. The small, peeled pieces you are able to salvage after removing the skin are not easy to work with either. Simply put, if you want to use freshly cut gingerroot in a recipe, you are going to work for it.
About Ground Ginger: Ground Ginger is derived from a root that has been dried and then ground up. Ginger is a distinctive taste. Ground ginger, like other dried spices or herbs, has an even more intense flavor than it’s fresh counterpart. Ground ginger is the flavor in gingerbread, ginger snap cookies and pumpkin pie. It is found. jarred. in the spice section. Many cultures use ginger in their savory food a lot more than typical American cuisine does.
About fresh pre-processed Ginger: If if you want the taste of fresh ginger without all the work, getting a bottle of fresh ginger that is already prepared and ready for a recipe, is the way to go. Fresh ginger is a light, bright taste. Ginger Ale is the taste of fresh ginger. You can find the pre-processed ginger in the produce department, in jars or squeeze bottles. They are usually tucked on a shelf under a vegetable bin. It is with pre-processed garlic in jars and squeeze bottles.
Whether you use dried ground ginger or fresh pre-processed ginger is personal preference. Our recipes will give you the measurements of each, if ginger is an ingredient. Ground ginger can overpower other flavors, especially if they are mellow flavors, so use conservatively. On the other hand, fresh ginger mellows out amidst other pronounced flavors, so you will use twice, sometimes three times as much.