Ginger

What is it?

Fresh ginger is the knobby, beige-brown rhizome of the ginger plant. Fun fact to drop at the dinner table: as a rhizome, it’s technically a stem, not a root!

It’s used across many cuisines as an aromatic that brings freshness and punch. Common in East Asian, Southeast Asian, Indian, and Caribbean cooking.

Can be used fresh, grated, sliced, minced, or smashed, depending on the dish & texture you’re going for. Usually sold whole in the produce section.

Buying tip: Look for firm, smooth-skinned ginger with a strong aroma. Wrinkly skin or soft spots mean it’s old.

What’s its flavor?

Aroma: Citrusy, slightly piney

Taste: Can be bitter if used in large quantities

Physical: Gentle pungency when raw, dissipates once cooked

Human: Immediately reminds us of certain cuisines

Why should you buy some?

A small knob is worth keeping around. It can keep for weeks in the fridge, and also freezes nicely if you don’t get through it (no peeling needed, just grate it from frozen).

Cheap and widely available at almost every grocery store
Can be used just like you would minced garlic (or paired with garlic)
It balances rich or fatty foods well and wakes up bland dishes

Plus, it’s versatile in other areas of the kitchen: it can be used in tea, syrups, and cocktails too.

What can you make with it?

Ginger–soy stir-fries, noodles, or fried rice
Ginger-forward chicken soup or brothy dumplings
Marinades for chicken, pork, tofu, or shrimp
Ginger scallion sauce for rice, fish, or veggies
Fresh ginger tea or ginger-honey syrup

Fresh ginger is one of those ingredients that just gives your food more energy. Check these out and more on our app.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK ✅

Chicken & ginger stir fry

While ginger is often used as a background aromatic, why not try is as a main ingredient? This stir-fry uses whole slices like a vegetable alongside the chicken. Don’t worry, the high heat tempers the ginger’s pungency and lets you appreciate its full flavor in big bites.

It’s a great summer dish. Try the recipe for yourself here:

Let’s Cook!

FOOD TRENDS 🚀

CSA boxes

CSA = community supported agriculture. A quick google search can pull up options near you.

Here's how Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes work: Farmers sell a limited number of “shares” to the public. When you buy a share, you get a box of whatever the farm harvests each week during the season, usually vegetables, and sometimes extras like eggs, flowers, or bread.

By joining, you share in the ups and downs of farming. If the harvest is plentiful, your box is fuller. On tougher weeks for the farm, you might get slightly less.

Despite these potential inconsistencies, the CSA model has grown in popularity for both consumers and growers alike.

Advantages for farmers:

Market and take care of sales during the off-season and before the long days in the field begin.
Receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm's cash flow

Advantages for consumers:

Eat ultra-fresh produce and get exposed to new vegetables
Develop a relationship with a farm and a farmer who grows their food

If you’re an adventurous cook, CSA’s are an amazing opportunity to be inspired by fresh seasonal produce. Most summer CSA’s are starting up right now, but many farms offer fall packages too.