Ginger-mania
Is it just me, or is “Ginger” taking over the world? No, I’m not talking about the greatest hair color of all time - I’ll save that for another day. Literally the flavor of ginger, as in the tuber used in food and medicine. Traditionally popular in holiday baked goods, you can now find many post-holiday beverages and more flavored with this spicy root.
Your most obviously recent experience with ginger was probably as a gingerbread cookie. Delicious? Yes. At the very least, you probably have some warm memories that involve the story of the Gingerbread Man…Frightening? Perhaps. But as an ingredient, it’s come a long way from a simple Xmas dessert. It seems ever popular in faux-Asian recipes today but hasn’t stopped there.
More excitingly – ginger is popping up in beverages again, and not just those of the teetotaling kind. The kids seem to be especially fond of Gin & Ginger these days and of course, the ever popular infused vodka or typical frilly cocktail. But be warned – anything labeled “Ginger Beer” is most likely NOT alcoholic.
And because there’s no stopping them – ginger tea, usually paired with a citrus flavor is also hitting store shelves near you.
Cosmetic and botanical companies, like Burt’s Bees, have also been quick to include ginger in various products. It, again, seems to be especially popular when mixed with citrus to create “revitalizing” scents. I find this amusing because according to Wikipedia (the source of all truth in the Universe), ginger actually has sedative properties.
Now all I can think about is how much I want a Vernors.
-B.C.Bodnar
My dad loves ginger tea, straight up ginger steeped in hot water. As for cooking, it’s actually a pretty integral part of real (as well as fake) Asian cooking; I know at my house, there’s always some ginger in our refrigerator that my mom will throw into a pot.
Oh yes, I agree about the role of ginger in Asian cooking. I just find it a bit funny that just adding ginger makes something “Asian inspired”, etc.
So perhaps this new-found love for ginger amongst middle-Americans is actually part of a greater affinity for Asian cultures?