Ginger is one of the most nutritious foods and has countless uses for the body. However, fresh ginger can quickly spoil if not stored properly. In today’s article, we will learn about how to store fresh ginger to last longer while still maintaining good quality and great flavor.
Choose high quality ginger
If you want to preserve fresh ginger for longer, you should choose the freshest ginger and use it as soon as possible after purchasing. Fresh ginger has a thin skin, a solid structure, is fresh and has a strong flavor, and feels pleasant when held in the hand. Don’t choose wrinkled or crunchy ginger because they are easily damaged.
The surface of ginger root is usually quite rough, not smooth or smooth. To know exactly whether the ginger root is delicious and spicy or not, you can use your fingernails to gently peel off the outer skin. The skin and flesh of the ginger have clearly contrasting colors. If the color of the ginger flesh and ginger peel are somewhat similar, it means that this root will be less spicy and less fragrant. Redness means that the ginger root is no longer fresh.
For delicious, quality ginger, when you use a light razor to shave, you will feel the characteristic warm, spicy scent of ginger. On the contrary, if you scrape the skin clean but there is only a slight pungent smell, this indicates that this is a lower quality ginger. Besides, you need to be careful not to buy ginger that has a strong odor because it may be spoiled.
How to store fresh ginger to last longer
Fresh ginger is one of the familiar spice ingredients in every dish. However, fresh ginger has a short storage life because it easily deteriorates and loses its flavor. To use ways to preserve fresh ginger longer for long-term use, try applying the following preservation methods:
Storing in the refrigerator: How to preserve fresh ginger for longer can be stored in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life. Before putting it in the refrigerator, put the ginger in a plastic bag or wrap it tightly in foil to limit exposure to air and moisture. Place ginger in the refrigerator, with a normal temperature of about 1-4 degrees Celsius. Fresh ginger can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks.
Freezing: The way to preserve fresh ginger for longer is to freeze fresh ginger to help store it longer. Before freezing, peel the ginger and cut it into cubes or thin slices. Winter ginger can be stored for 3-4 months. When you need to use it, just take out the ginger you need to use and keep the frozen ginger in the freezer.
Vacuum drying: This way of preserving fresh ginger for longer helps the ginger retain its flavor and quality. Ginger is peeled, cut into long strips or thin slices, then placed in a vacuum bag and vacuumed to remove air. Vacuum dried ginger can be stored in a refrigerator or dry place.
Salting: The traditional method to preserve fresh ginger for longer is to salt it. Peel fresh ginger and cut into square slices, then mix well with salt. Place the salted ginger in a glass jar and leave at room temperature. Salted ginger can be preserved for a long time.
Preserving with tea leaves: One way to preserve fresh ginger for longer is to use tea leaves. Just take the tea leaves, wrap the tea leaves in a paper towel, then wrap it in a plastic bag containing the ginger, absorb the air from the outside of the bag and tie it tightly. . Because the tea can absorb the moisture emitted by the ginger, it will keep the ginger bag dry. Finally, just leave the ginger in a cool place. If the plastic bag is too damp, take it out, dry it and put it back in.
Preserving ginger by drying: Ginger needs to be dried for better preservation. Ginger should be peeled and sliced into very thin pieces before drying. Place the ginger pieces on the drying tray and dry at a low temperature of about 50-60 degrees Celsius (122-140 degrees F) until completely dry.
Check and remove damaged ginger
Once you have completed the steps to preserve fresh ginger longer, you should check regularly to see if the ginger is damaged or rotten. If there are any signs of damage or rot, the ginger should be removed immediately. so as not to damage the ginger next to it.
This is a very useful way to eliminate the source of the disease. Because, once rotten ginger contains a lot of toxic fungi, their spread rate is very fast. Once a ginger root is damaged (fungus), within a few minutes, all the surrounding ginger roots will be quickly damaged by fungus. When this situation occurs, you should immediately remove the tubers that have the disease and the surrounding tubers, including the surrounding tubers that still have no signs of disease, because they may still be contaminated with fungal cells.
Conclude
How to preserve fresh ginger longer can help extend its shelf life and maintain good quality. Choosing high quality fresh ginger, storing it at the appropriate temperature, using refrigeration, sealing jars, using salt to marinate, drying or making jam are effective ways to preserve fresh ginger. . Be sure to check your ginger regularly and remove damaged pieces to protect the safety and quality of the ginger you use.
The above methods can be applied according to your needs and preferences. Use the appropriate method to best preserve fresh ginger