The plant ginger has been known to people for several thousand years. The most useful is the root. But how to preserve its freshness? There are many methods for storing a plant like ginger at home. Someone prefers to dry the root, others - to freeze, and someone just keeps on the shelf of the refrigerator.
Issues related to the timing, storage temperature of different types of ginger, as well as how to create the right conditions for the content and where to store this root at home will be discussed in more detail.
The minimum and maximum shelf life without loss of useful properties
The shelf life of a ginger plant varies greatly. It all depends on how it is processed. Dried product is stored for the longest time.. Under all conditions, it can be maintained up to 2 years.
Frozen root can also be stored for quite some time: from 6 to 12 months.
Reference. The most minimal shelf life of ginger decoctions. They need to be consumed within a few hours after preparation.
How to store properly?
Dried
Since we extract dried ginger in the process of drying the root itself at room temperature or in the oven, it will be easier to store it. In this form, it is best preserved at temperatures not higher than 30 - 35 degrees. It can be hung on the door of the refrigerator, but it does not make sense to freeze such a product, since there is nothing useful left in it, when drying it loses some of its qualities.
Such ginger should not be stored in the open, as volatile substances, which add spice and unusual flavor to this product, quickly disappear, and the taste of this spicy root loses its former tart flavor. Therefore, To preserve the smell of dried spices, open the bag just before use.. The shelf life of this type of product is up to 2 years.
Fresh
The most useful and rich to your taste, of course, will be fresh ginger. How to make him longer please us with its attractive appearance and wonderful aroma?
For this never leave the plant in a place where the sun's rays fall, store it in a cool dark place, as such is the refrigerator. Let us consider several options for keeping the root fresh for the best at its best.
In an impermeable bag with a clip for food
Put the unpeeled root in the bag and try to release as much air as possible, then put the bag in the fruit and vegetable compartment, in this package the ginger will remain fresh for 2-3 weeks.
This method of product safety is suitable for those who are going to stock up on them for future use. If you want to peel the ginger, then the skin should be cut very carefully., because immediately beneath it are all the beneficial trace elements.
In a paper towel or bag
Thoroughly wrap unpeeled ginger with a paper towel, without open areas, and then put into a paper bag. Let all the air out of it and pack it tightly. Send the product to the fruit and vegetable compartment and store it there for several weeks.
In a paper bag
When there is no time for more detailed processing and packaging, simply put ginger in a paper bag and put it in the vegetable compartment in the fridge. Keep in mind that the shelf life of the product will be shorter than with the above-mentioned techniques, but you can resort to this method if you know that you will use ginger in a short time. Shelf life with this technology will be no more than 7 days.
Can I freeze?
It must be remembered that freezing only solves the problem of extending the shelf life of a product. Such a method can preserve the taste properties, but there will be no benefit from the frozen root. However, some housewives decide to freeze the root when the product begins to rot.
The root of this spice is easy to freeze. Here There are several types of freezing:
- put ginger in a securely closed vacuum container (container, bag), then send it to the freezer;
- cut the product into small slices, freeze first on a solid wooden stand, then place the pieces in the food container.
This frozen root, packed in separate bags, is very convenient to use when cooking various dishes. He kept about six months.
Content of pickled ginger root in the fridge
Consider how much marinated root is stored in the refrigerator. It is important to know that The product should be stored in the refrigerator only in a tightly closed container..
Attention! The shelf life is from 1 to 3 months, but only if the storage temperature is no higher than 6 degrees and the packaging is sealed.
You can also freeze pickled ginger, but this is best done in airtight vacuum containers or zippered bags. If you have a lot of this product, divide it into small portions, since you can not re-freeze the ginger - neither pickled nor fresh.
Marinated ginger under the influence of marinade loses some of its own sharpness, but acquires a different taste.
The advantage of this product is that it can be stored in large quantities., because it has a longer shelf life and retains almost all useful properties.
Grated (ground)
Chopped finely powdered ginger root should be kept in hermetically sealed containers at room temperature. It can also be stored in the refrigerator. If you follow these instructions, the useful properties of the product are stored for six months.
Products
Decoctions
From ginger prepare broths that are not stored for a long time. They are good to drink only for medicinal purposes. Prepare fresh drink before use..
Do not forget that the longer you insist on the decoction, the brighter and stronger the taste of this spice. Remove astringency, you can add water to it, or strain.
A decoction of ginger is usually stored in the refrigerator; You can do this at room temperature, in either case - no more than 5 hours.
Infusions
Same You can make a tincture to alleviate the symptoms of colds.. It is prepared as follows: you need to pour vodka or alcohol finely chopped ginger root. This infusion is stored in the refrigerator for a month.
For tea
Such an additive is good for tea during a cold or just to give the drink a spicy aroma. The shelf life of such an additive is 10-14 days.
For making tea, you can use ginger in any form.What you have at hand, naturally it needs to be stored, as stated in the technology for each type of ginger. If you take dried, then the storage will be the same; if fresh, store it in the fridge as well.
Wrong ways
If the conditions, technologies and shelf life of each type of ginger are violated, not only its appearance is lost, but all the beneficial properties and trace elements disappear.
For example, if ginger is kept in the fridge for about a month or more, it will become soft and rotten, the use of such a product for food is strictly prohibited. The same thing happens with any other kind of ginger. therefore always comply with the conditions and carefully see the timing of the implementation of this product.
The consequences after using old, rotten ginger as food can be the most sad, do not risk life, it is better to dispose of this product. Do not forget to check the freshness of ginger before use, even if it has not expired.
So we see that for each specific type of this spice requires certain conditions and periods of storageat which all useful properties are maximally preserved. It is necessary to strictly follow the rules and recommendations for the storage of all types of this unique root, in order to achieve maximum success and eat only a quality product.
