As one of the most popular spices, demand for ginger in the grocery market is high, especially if you live in an Asian country where ginger is commonly used in many forms. However, Some people are often intimidated by the thought of purchasing ginger as they view this ingredient as mysterious and exotic. There are no reasons to be anxious about purchasing or consuming this particular ingredient as long as you have adequate information on choosing fresh and good quality ginger.

When purchasing fresh ginger, the key is to follow your instincts and listen to your sensory cues, be it touching, hearing, seeing, or smelling. Fresh ginger has distinct characteristics, so it should not be challenging to identify fresh ginger from the old ones. To help you get started, below are a few tips for using your senses in choosing fresh and good quality ginger:

Feel the texture

Choose a root that is firm to the touch with smooth skin. Fresh ginger should be without any soft spots, which indicates rot and wrinkles, meaning that the root is dry and past its time.

Snap it off

Choose a ginger root that is too big and snap off a smaller piece. When snapped, it should break apart with a healthy, audible “snap.” If it doesn’t, consider choosing another root.

Observe the skin

A fresh ginger root should look unblemished with shiny, taut skin – never thick and fibrous. You also should avoid any roots that have started to mold.

Smell it in

It should have a zesty, spicy, or pungent aroma if it’s fresh ginger. Otherwise, don’t put it in your grocery bag.

Although you will not be an expert the first time, following your sensory cues will be a massive help while shopping ginger at the grocery store on your own.

However, what if you’re in a rush and do not have time to investigate ginger using your four senses while shopping? How do you tell lousy ginger from a good one when it’s already being purchased?

If that’s the case, the answer is to try spoiling it. Fresh ginger will begin to lose its color and firmness. However, if what happens is the opposite, be ensured to put it aside and get a new one.

To conclude, identifying fresh ginger from old ones is relatively easy to do. However, if you’re new to spices, it is best to research the sources before making a purchase. If you decide to buy your first ginger at a local grocery store, find out where they usually get their ginger from. If you choose to make your own importing, it is also essential that you get reliable information on where the ginger comes from.

References:
1. https://infogrocery.com/buying-fresh-ginger
2. https://www.kitchensanity.com/food/how-long-does-ginger-last/