Ginger

Ginger is an herb and the root of the ginger plant can be consumed as a spice. Ginger is used for culinary and medicinal purposes. And it can be used or consumed as fresh, powdered, dried, in oil form and as juice.

Ginger generally grows in tropical rainforests in Southern Asia and it grows in China, India, Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia, Nigeria, Africa and the Caribbean. Ginger was originated in Southeast Asia and the total production of ginger in the world is 6.48 million metric tons. China, India, Nepal and Thailand are the major producers of ginger. China produces 24 percent and India produces 23 percent of ginger to the market. These countries are the major exporters of ginger to the world market.

To harvest ginger, it would take eight to ten months. Ginger could be used as a by-product for flavoring in numerous food preparations, beverages, ginger bread, soups and soft drinks. There are two types of ginger, the fresh green ginger is used for preparation of candied ginger and the dried ginger is mainly used for spice trade, extracts, oleoresins and oil. Ginger root has high demand in international markets. Ginger is used for flavoring many food products like tomato sauce or ketchup, salad dressings, meat sausages, gravies, pickles and curry dishes.