Ginger is one of those foods that should never be missing from your kitchen: native to the Far East and classified as a spice, even though it's actually a root, it not only adds a unique touch to any recipe but also provides a series of amazing benefits to your body. For this very reason, it's commonly used in herbal teas, teas, and flavored waters, although it's actually extremely versatile in the kitchen and can be used in main dishes, side dishes, and, of course, desserts.
You can buy dried or powdered ginger, but the best way to reap all the benefits of this root is to use it fresh: only then are its precious nutritional and organoleptic qualities truly intact. The only problem with fresh ginger, especially once you start cutting it, is that it deteriorates rather quickly. But don't worry, there are several very effective preservation methods that allow you to preserve all the characteristics of this precious root, both while it's still intact and after you've used it.
How to Store Ginger in The Refrigerator
The easiest option if you've purchased whole ginger root and haven't cut it yet is to store it in the refrigerator, where the cool, controlled temperature will keep it intact for about a month. Simply place the ginger root in a tightly closed paper bag (the root should not be in contact with air) and place it in the crisper drawer. As you cut your root, or if you need to store it already cut, you can use the same method, but the shelf life is reduced to no more than 10 days.
How to Store Ginger in The Freezer
Cut ginger doesn't keep for long, and you may need to keep your fresh root for longer than a month. In this case, you should opt for freezer storage, where the freezing process will keep your ginger root intact for 3 to 6 months. You can freeze your ginger root whole, or you can already chop it, cut it into slices, rounds, or small pieces, and place everything in airtight containers or bags. This makes it easier to use, because remember that once you've thawed ginger, it's not recommended to refreeze it.
How to Store Ginger by Pickling It
A popular way to properly preserve ginger is to prepare a marinade, a very useful preparation that allows you to have the spice very flavorful and ready to be used for various culinary purposes. The marinade consists of placing the ginger in a mixture of water, sugar, and vinegar, then placing the mixture in an airtight glass jar and storing it in the refrigerator. It doesn't keep very long—ginger can be kept this way for up to 2 weeks —but the flavor of marinated ginger is exceptional.
Other Methods for Storing Ginger
A good way to preserve ginger for a long time is drying it, a very simple process that takes little time and allows you to not only have ginger available for a long time, but also have it ready to use. To dry ginger, peel and wash the root, then cut it into chunks or slices and arrange them on a tray if you want to dry it in the sun, or on a baking sheet and bake at 60°C (140°F) for about 3 hours. Alternatively, you can also dehydrate ginger by microwaving it for a couple of minutes on medium-high power, checking it every 30 seconds or so to prevent it from burning or drying out. In both cases, place the dried or dehydrated ginger in an airtight container and store it in a dry place, away from heat sources. You will be able to enjoy its full beneficial properties for several months.
As an alternative to all the methods we've illustrated so far, you can also preserve your ginger in a jar, soaking it in various liquids. One excellent method is to preserve ginger in oil: this method will not alter the root's flavor and will also yield an excellent flavored oil that can be used regardless of the pieces. Fresh ginger can also be pickled using a mild vinegar like apple cider vinegar, but remember that this may alter the root's flavor. In both cases, place the ginger in a jar, cover it with the liquid of your choice, seal tightly, and then store it in the bottom half of the refrigerator. Ginger can also be preserved in an alcoholic liquid (such as vodka), as the alcohol helps preserve all of its properties and flavor. Again, remember that this is a strong preservation method that may alter the ginger's taste and flavor.
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