Differences Between Fresh and Dried Organic Ginger Roots

Both fresh and dry ginger roots have their advantages in different recipes. Fresh, organic ginger root comes in two forms – young and mature. Dried ginger, meanwhile, is fresh ginger that’s soaked overnight and sun-dried for about a week. 

Young ginger root has thin, pale skin and mild flavour. Mature ginger has a thicker skin, which needs to be peeled off before use, and a spicy taste profile.

Here are the differences between ginger root types and ways to include them seamlessly in your diet.

What Makes Ginger, Ginger? 

Recent studies have found that fresh ginger contains higher amounts of gingerols, and dried ginger higher in shogaols. 

Gingerols are chemical compounds that activate your tongue’s spice receptors. They come in the form of pungent yellow oil. Shogaols have a similar structure to gingerols, but only forms if you store ginger in a dry or excessively hot environment. 

More importantly, these compounds help: 

• Reduce inflammation 
• Reduce menstrual pain 
• Prevent fungal infections 
• Lower your cholesterol levels and blood sugars 
• Lower your risk of cancer 
• Lower your risk of stomach diseases 
• Improve brain function and protect against Alzheimer’s disease 
• Protect nerve cells against injury or death 
• Protect your cells against damage caused by free radicals 

Do Fresh and Dried Ginger Root Treat the Same Problems? 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), fresh ginger is believed to have different healing properties compared to dried ginger. Both ginger types are therapeutic to the Spleen, stomach, and Lungs, but dried ginger has the added benefit of boosting Kidney health.

“Fresh ginger can get rid of Wind and Cold and stop you from coughing and vomiting. Dry ginger boosts yang energy and meridian circulation, and remove fluid overload in the Lungs.” – Real Health Medical Senior Physician Brandon Yew

Is Ginger Tea Warming or Cooling?

Interestingly, fresh ginger may reduce a fever by lowering your body temperature by facilitating the dissipation of body heat from your skin, while dried ginger has the opposite effect of increasing body temperature by boosting yang energy internally. These characteristics make both fresh and dry ginger valuable in natural medicine.

How do You Use Fresh and Dried Ginger Roots? 

Fresh ginger and honey is a medicinal recipe that comes with a side of deliciousness. All you need to do is steep both ingredients together for up to four days. Stir the mix often, as it’ll help the ginger essence infuse in the honey.

Use it to top desserts or as a natural sweetener for teas but be sure to store it in the fridge afterwards to prevent further fermentation.

Similarly, fresh ginger is used to produce herbal remedies for a cold and flu, such as Jing Fang Bai Du San (荆防败毒散), Zhi Sou San (止嗽散), and Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (藿香正气散). If you’re pressed for time, use pre-mixed brown sugar cubes containing mature ginger and longan.

Dried ginger tea is a simple pick-me-up that warms your body and soothes your soul. Bring water to a boil before pouring it over one heaping teaspoon (for a mild flavour) and two heaping teaspoons (for a strong flavour) of dried ginger. Let it steep for up to ten minutes.

TCM features dried ginger in formulas like Si Ni Tang (四逆汤), Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang (甘草干姜汤) and Xiao Qing Long Tang (小青龙汤). These remedies are especially good for restoring yang energy levels and supporting the circulation of fluids and vital substances in the body.

How Do You Make Ground Ginger Root Powder?

To make ginger root powder, start by selecting fresh ginger roots. Wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt and then peel the skin off. Next, slice the ginger into thin pieces and spread them out on a baking sheet. Dry the slices in an oven set to a low temperature or use a dehydrator until they are completely dry and brittle. Once dried, grind the ginger slices into a fine powder using a spice grinder or a high-speed blender. The result is a nice flavor and spicy ginger powder that can be used in various Asian recipes.

This homemade ginger root powder can be used as a supplement for its health benefits, added to tea to make soothing ginger tea, or combined with turmeric for a potent health-boosting mix. Store the powder in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and potency. Incorporating this ginger root powder into your daily routine can enhance the flavor of your dishes and provide numerous health benefits.

Herbal Alternatives to Fresh and Dried Ginger Roots

You may find the aroma and taste of ginger overpowering but fret not. Substituting fresh or dried ginger with other ingredients can introduce you to new taste profiles while still reaping the same health benefits. 

Fresh ginger can be replaced with spring onions (cong bai, 葱白), basil leaves (zi su ye, 紫苏叶), and Chinese Mosla (xiang ru, 香薷).

Cinnamon (rou gui, 肉桂), Evodia (wu zhu yu, 吴茱萸), cumin (xiao hui xiang, 小茴香), and galangal (gao liang jiang, 高良姜), meanwhile, are suitable alternatives to dried ginger.

Ultimately, both types of ginger root offer unique health benefits. Before choosing between fresh or dried, consider their differences in therapeutic effects, potency, aroma, flavour, and texture.

Keep in mind that ginger may not be suitable for everyone. It’s best to check with a licensed TCM practitioner to determine which body constitutions pair well with ginger and its alternative ingredients.

If you would like to share your recipes that use fresh or dried ginger root, leave us a comment below.