Knowra Ginger Ginger Ginger is a genus of aromatic rhizomatous plants native to tropical and subtropical regions, cultivated for culinary spices and ornamental flowers. Its best-known species is Zingiber officinale.
Zingiber officinale : A ginger species whose pungent rhizome is widely used as a spice and medicinal ingredient. This cultivated species supplies most ginger sold as a culinary spice.
Ginger cultivation : The agricultural growing of ginger plants, usually for their rhizomes and sometimes for ornamental flowers. Cultivation practices determine the quality and yield of ginger rhizomes.
Turmeric : A spice and dye obtained from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, a member of the ginger family. Turmeric is a close botanical relative and another prized rhizome spice.
Wild ginger : A common name for several plants outside the genus Zingiber, often unrelated to culinary ginger. The shared common name can obscure that these plants are not true gingers.
Rhizome : A horizontal underground plant stem that produces roots and shoots from its nodes. Ginger’s familiar aromatic portion is a rhizome, not a root.
Ginger as a spice : The use of ginger rhizomes to season food and drinks with a warm, pungent flavor. The genus is best known worldwide through the spice made from Zingiber officinale.
Galangal : The aromatic rhizomes of several ginger-family plants used in Southeast Asian cuisines. Galangal is a ginger-family spice with a distinct flavor and culinary role.
Ginger lily : A common name for flowering plants in the ginger family genus Hedychium. Despite its name, ginger lily is a different genus, often grown as an ornamental.
Zingiberaceae : A family of flowering plants that includes ginger, turmeric, cardamom, and galangal. Ginger belongs to this family of aromatic tropical plants.
Ginger tea : A beverage made by steeping fresh or dried ginger in hot water, often with other ingredients. This preparation draws ginger’s aroma and pungency into a drink.
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