The Boozy Way To Keep Peeled Ginger Fresh
Ginger is one of the most delicious and beneficial roots you can enjoy. Known for its yellow, tanned hue and the amazingly zesty kick it brings to food, ginger is a worldwide phenomenon everyone wants a piece of. Whether you prefer the spice in sweet dishes like ginger cakes and candies or grated into savory foods like Fung Tu hot pot and chile-pork wontons, it is the best spice to bring to the table. Not only is it delicious, but Johns Hopkins Medicine says that the ginger plant is fantastic for treating nausea relief, bloating, digestion, and even for revitalizing your cells!
Odds are, you love to use ginger one way or another, but much like star anise and peppermint, a little goes a long way, and you aren't going to use an entire fresh ginger root in one recipe. The problem is that when stored in the refrigerator, even if you seal it properly in an airtight bag, peeled ginger only lasts two to three weeks (via Masterclass). That is not a long time to use up what can often be an overwhelming amount of spice. Luckily, there is more than one way to store your ginger.
The benefits of booze
A little booze never hurt anybody ... well, at least when it comes to ginger. According to America's Test Kitchen, when comparing the best methods for preserving ginger, the samples of the fresh, peeled stems were stored better in spirits than in water. In non-alcoholic liquids, the fibers in the ginger turned to mush because the plant's enzymes broke down, but when preserved in sherry or vodka, the liquor stopped those very enzymes from deteriorating, allowing it to remain firm. Fine Dining Lovers says that to successfully store your ginger, you should cut it into slices and seal it in your choice of booze (though they suggest sherry or brandy) in a clean jar. When you cook the ginger, the alcohol will burn off, or if you want you can use them as liquor-enhanced garnishes for desserts or cocktails!
All Recipes suggest experimenting with vodka, sake, dry sherry, or rice wine as preservatives as well. You should fill your glass storage jar until the booze completely covers the ginger and keep it in the refrigerator until it is time to use. In addition to maintaining the quality of your grinder pieces, you'll also find yourself with the added bonus of ginger-infused alcohol which you can use however you like! In practicing this storage method you'll reduce food waste, keep your ingredients fresh, and also have some fun-flavored spirits to play around with.