Ginger tastes good and may have health benefits, besides. Many cultures, particularly in Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries, often cook with ginger and also use it medicinally. You make ginger spice paste by blending ginger with other spices and using the paste to season dishes. Ground ginger is also used as a seasoning. Neither has a benefit over the other; both contain real ginger and are made from the rhizomes, the part of the plant that grows underground.
Cooking with Ginger Spice Paste
One benefit of using ginger spice paste is that you can make it up ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator to use when needed. You can also blend ginger with different spices for different flavors and dishes. Unlike ground spices, pastes contain ingredients, such as onions or garlic, which don't keep their flavors well when dried, according to author Dr. Gabe Mirkin. You can mash the fresh ingredients together or use a food processor.
Cooking with Ground Ginger
Ground ginger also comes from fresh rhizomes. Ground ginger which is the same thing as powdered ginger, often isn't a good substitute for fresh, according to the website Food.com. The flavor of ground ginger can vary significantly from that of fresh grated ginger, losing much of the sweetness.
Amounts
The amount of ginger spice paste you use will vary, depending on the other spices in the mix and what type of dish you're using it for. In general, substitute around three times as much of the paste as you would use of the dry ingredients, according to Mirkin. When using ground ginger, substitute 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger for 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, recommends Food.com.
Ginger for Health
Ginger may help prevent or treat nausea, which is why mothers often give ginger ale to settle the stomachs of sick children. Ginger might also help heart disease by lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and by preventing clots from forming in blood vessels. Don't consume more than 4 grams of ginger per day from any source, cautions the University of Maryland Medical Center website.
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