What is ginger?
Ginger, also known as Zingiber officinale, is a widely used herb and one of the most popular spices in the world. It is used for its unique flavour. But ginger also offers many health benefits. Ginger has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Ginger is also increasingly used as a natural remedy for various health problems. But what exactly is ginger, and what can you do with it?
What can you do with ginger?
Ginger is a versatile spice that can be used in lots of dishes and recipes. You can also make countless (alcohol-free) cocktails and smoothies with it. On our site you’ll find a number of recipes for alcohol-free cocktails you can make yourself with pure ginger juice.
You can also easily use it to make a warming cup of ginger tea, among other things. You can make ginger tea by steeping slices of ginger in hot water. You could also make ginger tea very easily with our pure ginger juice. Read more about ginger tea here.
Ginger shots are also growing in popularity. Make them yourself by pressing fresh ginger into juice and mixing it with other juices. Or order ready-made ginger shots with no added sugars or water in our shop. These shots are made from 80% mandarin juice and 20% ginger juice. These ready-made ginger shots contain no added sugars or water.
Read more about the benefits of ginger shots and how to make them here.
What is ginger good for?
Ginger can be used in different ways. Many people find that taking a ginger shot every morning gives their day a ‘kickstart’. But did you also know that ginger offers various health benefits? Ginger contains several active compounds, one of which is gingerol. Gingerol is a powerful compound that could, among other things, strengthen your immune system. Ginger could also have an anti-inflammatory effect. Read more about the many health benefits of ginger here.
Where does ginger come from?
Ginger originally comes from Southeast Asia, where China is the largest producer in the world. Today, however, ginger is grown in many different countries. Besides China, a lot of ginger is also grown in India, Peru and Nigeria. In Europe it is still difficult to grow ginger in large quantities. The ginger from these different countries differs in flavour. Ginger is also used differently in every culture.
What is organic ginger?
Ginger can be produced using 2 methods. Ginger can be grown conventionally or organically. Organic farming doesn’t use any artificial substances. This makes the ginger safer for human consumption and less harmful to nature. Conventional farming does use artificial fertilisers, for example. This makes this way of growing cheaper. However, residues of these artificial substances can remain in the ginger. GoNow is SKAL certified, so you can be sure that our juices are 100% organic.
Do you need to peel your ginger?
When we produce our pure ginger juice, the ginger is pressed unpeeled. Even though the brown skin doesn’t look all that appetising, it is edible. What’s more, ginger skin contains high concentrations of the active compounds in ginger. The skin even contains higher concentrations of these compounds than the flesh. So you can safely use ginger skin in your dishes. Just make sure the skin is washed well and free of dirt.
Read more about ginger skin here.
Ginger juice vs ginger powder
Fresh ginger juice and ginger powder both offer health benefits, but they differ in nutritional value and ease of use. Fresh ginger juice, made from pressed ginger root, contains more active nutrients such as vitamin C and enzymes, which are quickly absorbed by the body. It has a fresh, spicy flavour and is ideal for cold drinks. Ginger powder is more concentrated and keeps for a long time, making it handy for hot dishes, but it loses some nutrients during the drying process. For immediate health benefits and a rich flavour, fresh ginger juice is an excellent choice, while ginger powder is practical for everyday use in the kitchen.
How does the ginger plant grow?
Ginger root comes from the ginger plant, which grows in tropical climates. Growing ginger requires a warm and humid climate. After pieces of ginger root are planted, a plant grows to about 1 metre tall. After flowering, rhizomes start to grow underground, and after 5 months they are ready to be harvested. The harvested ginger is cleaned and is then ready to be made into juice.
Read more about how ginger grows here.
What is turmeric?
Turmeric, also known as yellow root or kunyit, is a popular spice, just like ginger. It is even part of the ginger family. Turmeric is a widely used spice in curries and soups. But these days turmeric is also widely used as a flavouring in turmeric tea or as a turmeric shot. The plant that turmeric comes from originally hails from Southeast Asia or India.
What can you do with turmeric?
Turmeric is a versatile spice that can be used in lots of recipes and meals. You can make countless juices and sauces with it. On our site you’ll find a number of recipes, including a dressing for meals, that you can make yourself with pure turmeric juice.
You can also easily use it to make a warming cup of turmeric tea, among other things. You can make turmeric tea by steeping slices of turmeric in hot water. But with our pure turmeric juice, you can make yourself a healthy cup of turmeric tea very easily.
Turmeric shots are also growing in popularity. Make them yourself by pressing fresh turmeric into juice and mixing it with other juices. Or order ready-made turmeric shots with mandarin juice in our shop. These shots are made from 85% mandarin juice and 15% turmeric juice. These juices are also pure and free from added sugars or water. That way you always have turmeric shots to hand, quickly and easily.
Read more about the benefits of turmeric shots and how to make them here.
What is turmeric good for?
So turmeric can be used in many different ways. Turmeric is often used to give dishes an extra flavour sensation. This means you can experience the health benefits of turmeric in lots of tasty ways. Turmeric contains an active compound called curcumin. Among other things, curcumin is naturally anti-inflammatory. Turmeric can also be good for digestion. Read more about the health benefits of turmeric here.
It is a good idea, though, to also add black pepper to recipes that contain turmeric. Did you know that black pepper improves the absorption of curcumin? The active compound in black pepper will make sure you experience the many health benefits sooner.
