Since ancient times, ginger has been used in traditional medicine recipes as a healing product. Fresh produce can be purchased in stores at almost any time of the year, but from time to time its cost becomes unacceptably high. An alternative option is to dry ginger at home, but to preserve its valuable properties, it is important to know how to do it correctly.
Why do you need to dry ginger root?
There are several reasons to try drying ginger root yourself.The plant is considered unique for its natural and medicinal properties. It is used in many folk recipes to maintain and restore body tone, used to prepare decoctions and teas, as an ingredient for cosmetic masks, and as a spice for culinary dishes.
The most famous masks contain ginger with lemon and olive oil as components. This product quickly eliminates sagging skin, reduces the severity of the first wrinkles around the eyes and lips, normalizes skin color and relieves inflammation.
The root is often added to tea or coffee to tone up and give strength.
The plant creates the property of “vigorous” mustard; pomegranate seeds are often added to drinks to make healing teas.
There is not always time or desire to go to the store to purchase ginger. In some periods, such a product may be temporarily unavailable on store shelves, or its cost may be quite high. Having such a product on hand always makes it possible to use a valuable product if necessary, but the main thing is to learn how to properly dry and store it. Fresh root can deteriorate and, if defects are present, quickly becomes unsuitable for consumption. The dried root can be used for 2 years without losing its healing properties.
A few words about the benefits of ginger root
Before using the root vegetable and drying ginger root, it is worth learning about its beneficial properties. The healing qualities of the product are due to the presence of active elements.
Application of the root has the following effects:
- reduces nausea, therefore it is often used during pregnancy, boat trips and chemotherapy;
- reduces cholesterol levels, helps cleanse blood vessels;
- improves blood clotting properties;
- relieves inflammation and swelling;
- removes toxins;
- effectively fights against worms;
- helps improve immunity;
- improves bone tissue structures.
Consumption of ginger helps to quickly relieve fatigue and restore strength. Due to the quality of cleaning the arteries, it is often prescribed as a prophylactic agent after a stroke.
The plant helps in the treatment of psycho-emotional disorders associated with the appearance of causeless fears and anxiety.
It is important to observe moderation in taking ginger, as if consumed in large quantities, the root can cause insomnia.
Ginger root - what is it like?
Today there are many varieties of ginger. The most common type is white, light in color with a slight yellowish tint; over time, the root may turn brown. This is the variety that is chosen in most cases to dry the product.
On sale you can find black ginger, roots with incredible bright green and yellow colors and even blue veins.
Root vegetables can come in different shapes and have different flavors and odors that may resemble oranges. In fact, black and white ginger are the same plant variety and differ only in the way they are collected and processed. Regardless of the variety, all ginger roots have one feature - when ripened, they acquire the property of being pungent.
How to properly dry ginger root
Drying food products involves preliminary preparation of raw materials. For purchase, choose only a hard root without obvious signs of damage. The root structure should be dense and the surface should not be heavily wrinkled.
You can dry the root using the following cutting methods:
- thin plates;
- small cubes;
- using a coarse grater;
- in a blender.
The latter method is used when it is necessary to obtain a dry mixture in powder form. The root vegetable is dried unpeeled, since when the skin is cut off, a large amount of useful substances is lost. To reduce tear production, it is recommended to work with the root under cool running water.
Natural warmth
The simplest method in which dried plates can be obtained with minimal time, and this does not require special equipment. Cooking requires an open area with direct sunlight.
Ginger cut into thin slices is laid out in a thin layer on paper and left in the sun. To prevent insects and their metabolic products from getting into the mixture, it is recommended to cover it with gauze.
It is recommended to turn the slices at least 2 times during the day to achieve uniform drying.
At night, the dried root vegetable is brought into the room, and, if necessary, the process is repeated the next day.
Dryer
In an electric dryer, ginger is dried in such a way that there is a small gap between adjacent plates. The layer should not be too thick and uneven, otherwise it will not be possible to achieve uniform drying. To achieve the desired effect, the trays are periodically swapped. You can dry the ginger in this way for 6 to 9 hours, it is recommended to set the temperature to 60 0C.
Oven
Ginger will be dry in the oven when kept for 2.5 hours at 50 0C. First, the sheet is covered with baking paper, on top of which ginger slices are laid out in a thin layer.After this time, the temperature is brought to 70 0C and kept until completely ready. If your oven has a convection function, it is recommended to turn it on. The average time to obtain the finished dry product is 5 hours.
Air fryer
Drying in a microwave oven makes it possible to get quick results, since the process takes on average from 1.5 to 3 hours. To do this, the equipment is set to a temperature of 70 0C and maintain the required time. The duration directly depends on the cutting method used; the smaller the size of the pieces, the faster you can get a dry product.
Attic spaces
This method is ideal for owners of private houses. How to properly dry ginger:
- wash thoroughly, remove damaged areas, dry;
- cut into thin slices;
- spread on a flat surface in a thin layer;
- Turn over periodically to prevent mold from forming.
It is important that there is natural air circulation in the attic and that there is no increased humidity; the temperature should not be low. If these requirements are not met, the desired effect will not be achieved, and the ginger will begin to become moldy.
