Ground ginger

Ginger is an oriental spice that was one of the first to reach European soil. Today, this piquant spice can be easily purchased in almost any store. They sell whole and sliced ginger roots, fresh or pickled, dried plates, and ginger oil. Well, we will talk about such a popular spice as ground ginger.

The Slavs used it to bake gingerbread, cookies, to make drinks and liqueurs, and to prepare various pickles. At one time, ginger was also added to brewing beer.

How to make ground ginger?

Ground ginger, as you know, can be purchased at any grocery store, in the spice section. However, you can also make this seasoning yourself: homemade ground ginger is much more aromatic and delicious.

Making ginger powder is a very simple process:

• prepared ginger (peeled or simply well washed) is cut into thin slices, as for making chips;
• The slices are dried in an oven, in a special dryer or simply in the sun. Dried chips easily break and crumble;
• Now all that's left is to grind the chips into powder. This can be done using a coffee grinder or a hard mortar.

It is worth noting that dry seasoning bought in the store is stored much longer than home-made. Therefore, ground ginger of home preparation should be immediately poured into a dry and hermetically sealed container. It is recommended to use such a product within four months.

Ginger is a fairly popular spice, so it can always be used in the kitchen. Ginger is used to season baked goods, soups, mushroom and meat dishes, vegetable stews. In addition, ginger contains many vitamins, rejuvenates the body and strengthens the immune system.

Ground ginger for weight loss

The fact that ginger powder promotes weight loss has been known for quite some time. Both fresh and ground ginger retain all its beneficial and unique properties.

For a visible weight loss effect, sometimes it is enough to add the spice to almost any meal: ginger can be used to season first courses (soups, solyanka, borscht, rassolnik, shchi), meat and vegetable dishes (stews, sautés, goulash, casseroles), drinks (compote, kvass, tea), as well as sauces and even some desserts.

The use of ginger for weight loss cannot be one-sided: weight loss must be supported by regular exercise and dietary adjustments. Hoping for the "miraculous" effect of ginger and continuing to eat sweet and fatty foods is, to put it mildly, illogical. Any approach to solving the problem must be comprehensive.

How can ginger help you lose weight? This spice is known in dietetics as a means of reducing hunger, adding strength, accelerating metabolic processes (metabolism), and cleansing the digestive tract. If you follow the rules of a balanced diet, sometimes it is enough to replace dinner with tea with ginger, and the process of losing weight will go much faster and more noticeably.

Properties of ground ginger

Ginger is considered a good source of gingerol: this substance activates all stages of digestion and accelerates metabolic reactions, which helps get rid of excess fat deposits.

There have been no special scientific studies on the effect of ginger powder on the body. However, no specialist or nutritionist doubts the benefits of this seasoning. Ginger perfectly stabilizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract, and, in particular, the intestines, reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, rids the body of accumulated toxic substances and metabolic products.

The active substances that the spice is rich in are able to fight pathogenic bacteria, relieve signs of inflammation, and expel parasites from the body. In addition, ginger is able to effectively fight atherosclerosis, increased blood glucose levels, and hypertension. It is successfully used for edema of various origins.

The effect of ginger in case of colds is multifaceted: the spice promotes expectoration during dry cough, warms the body during fever, and has a detrimental effect on many types of pathogenic microbes.

Eastern medicine practices the use of ginger for convulsive conditions, PMS, paroxysmal pain and high temperature, joint inflammation and rheumatism. Traditional medicine recommends using this spice for poisoning with plants and mushrooms or bites of insects and vipers.

Benefits of Ground Ginger

Most of the useful elements in ginger are contained directly under the thin skin, which we usually peel. Therefore, before drying the ginger root, it is advisable not to peel it, but simply wash it well, then the benefits of the product will be much greater.

In China, ginger root is considered a spice that gives youth: eating the root slows down the aging process, improves libido, and awakens sexual desire.

Ginger root inhibits the growth and reproduction of microbial cells, activates the immune system, and prepares the body to fight infection.

The anti-emetic and anti-edematous effects of ginger make it effective for toxicosis during pregnancy: periodic consumption of ginger tea helps women to survive this period favorably.

A variety of vitamins, essential oils, and microelements allow this product to be highly valued in dietetics and therapeutic nutrition. Activation of blood circulation, metabolism, decreased appetite, stabilization of digestive processes - all this can be ensured by consuming ginger, if possible, with every meal.

Ground Ginger Recipes

Ground ginger has a sharper taste than fresh ginger. Therefore, add it to dishes little by little, so as not to overdo it. This spice can be used when cooking meat (15 minutes before the end of cooking), when making baked goods (added when kneading the dough), or in compote (5 minutes before removing from heat).

We'll talk about how to make ginger tea and coffee later. Now let's talk about what else useful can be made from ground ginger.

• Ginger tincture. A medicine used for colds, acute respiratory viral infections, cardiac and nervous diseases. The tincture purifies the blood, reduces the fat layer in tissues, adds strength after illnesses, increases libido, and has a beneficial effect on vision. Use 100 g of ground ginger powder per 1 liter of quality vodka: mix and leave in a dark place for two weeks, stirring the mixture periodically. Then strain the tincture, you can (but it is not necessary) add some honey or sugar. Drink 1 teaspoon twice a day before meals, mixing with half a glass of water.
• Ginger bath. It has a relaxing, warming effect on the body, helps protect against colds. For 1/2 liter of water, take 4 full teaspoons of crushed dry ginger, boil for 12 minutes and add directly to the bath with moderately hot water. It is better to take a bath for 15-20 minutes, after which, without rinsing, dry yourself with a towel.
• Ginger milk. Used as a cough suppressant. Add a quarter teaspoon of ginger powder, a teaspoon of honey, and a pinch of turmeric to a cup of warm milk. Drink little by little throughout the day.
• Anti-flu drink. Pour a glass of boiling water over a teaspoon of ground ginger, the same amount of ground cinnamon and honey, you can add a pinch of black pepper. Drink this hot infusion, one glass at a time, every three hours.
• Antidiarrhea remedy. Add a teaspoon of ground ginger and half a spoon of nutmeg powder (or ground walnut partitions) to a glass of water. Stir the mixture and drink it twice a day.
• Ginger compress. Used for joint and muscle pain, radiculitis, neuralgia. Make a mixture of a teaspoon of ground ginger, half a spoon of turmeric, a pinch of red pepper, a drop of mustard oil, adding a little hot water. Apply the gruel to a clean cloth or thick gauze, apply to the affected area, cover with polyethylene and wrap warmly. You can remove the compress after half an hour, after the procedure you should cover yourself again and lie down.
• PMS remedy. Infuse a teaspoon of ground ginger and a tablespoon of dried nettle in 0.5 liters of boiling water. Filter after 15 minutes and take half a glass three times a day.
• Ginger scrub for excessively oily hair. Mix a tablespoon of ground ginger with two tablespoons of sesame oil. Rub the mixture into the scalp and leave for half an hour, then rinse the hair thoroughly.

Adding ground spices to any dish is already beneficial, do not neglect it and improve your health.

Coffee with ground ginger

Ginger coffee is not only morning vigor and pleasure, but also an effective fight against extra pounds. If you are a big coffee lover and also want to lose weight, then these recipes are for you:

• for the especially lazy – add a pinch of ginger to your cup of coffee, prepared in any way;
• milk ginger coffee – add 2 cloves, a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger, a tablespoon of ground coffee beans to 400 ml of water and boil. After boiling, add 400 ml of boiled milk, strain and serve;
• Mediterranean coffee - a mixture of three tablespoons of ground coffee, a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger, a teaspoon of cinnamon, cocoa powder and anise, a little orange or lemon zest, boil in 400 ml of water. Add sugar to taste;
• Indian coffee – for 200 ml of water take 3 cloves, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, a crushed cardamom pod, a little nutmeg, a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger, a few mint leaves, sugar and ground coffee – to taste. Brew coffee with spices, add sugar and 200 ml of milk. After a few minutes of infusion, strain and drink hot.

Ginger coffee is a unique and unforgettable drink. In the East, coffee with spices is served to dear guests, emphasizing your good attitude towards them. You can try, balance the composition of spices to your taste, remove or add the spices you like, improving the drink at your discretion.

Ground green coffee with ginger

Green coffee is a relatively new product, which appeared on our market only in 2012. Its effectiveness in solving the problem of weight loss has been proven by American scientific research.

Green coffee contains less caffeine than its black counterpart, but in return it contains chlorogenic acid, which promotes weight loss by reducing the amount of body fat.

In essence, these are the same coffee beans we are used to, but with a different degree of processing. After all, the more coffee beans are roasted, the less active substance chlorogen remains in them. Therefore, losing weight by drinking green coffee is much easier. By the way, this drink does not cause an increase in blood pressure and has a less pronounced invigorating effect due to the low caffeine content.

Adding a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger to a cup of brewed green coffee will further speed up metabolic processes by enhancing thermogenetic processes. This will help burn calories, practically without resorting to great physical exertion.

Green coffee combined with ginger reduces the body's level and need for glucose.

The drink is consumed in the amount of one cup per day half an hour before breakfast. During the period of drinking coffee, it is recommended to increase the amount of drinking water in the diet to 2 liters.

Ginger tea made from ground ginger

Ginger tea can be used not only for weight loss, but also for bowel disorders, nausea, poor digestion, colds, coughs, and fever.

Powdered ginger is convenient for adding to tea: pour it in with the tea leaves and let it brew for at least 5 minutes. You can drink this tea throughout the day regardless of food intake: when adding ginger, the drink may become cloudy and acquire a slightly sharp taste - this is a normal reaction of tea to ground spice.

The basic recipe for making tea is as follows:

• half a teaspoon of ground ginger;
• a glass of boiling water;
• honey to taste.

Ginger is poured with boiling water and boiled for 10 minutes, after which it is infused for another 10 minutes and served with honey.

If you couldn't appreciate the taste of the drink the first time, don't despair: you need to get used to the sharp taste of ginger. Many people add a slice of lemon or orange, a leaf of mint or lemon balm, or jasmine to this tea: this makes the taste of the tea less pronounced.

If you have a cold, you can add a pinch of ground black pepper to your tea. Drink the tea in small sips, without rushing – this way the benefits of the drink will be more noticeable.

Green tea with ground ginger

The combination of green tea and ginger is an excellent complex of vitamins, microelements, antioxidants and antidepressants. This rejuvenating drink cleanses the skin of the face, improves its color, stabilizes digestion and gives energy to the body.

This tea stimulates brain activity, has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, increases sexual desire, and helps in the fight against extra pounds.

• Tea for colds. Brew regular green tea, adding a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger per 100 ml of tea. Let it brew for 7 minutes. Add honey, cinnamon, lemon or sugar to taste.
• Mint-ginger tea. Brew regular green tea, adding ground ginger (1/4 teaspoon per 100 ml) and a few mint leaves. Infuse for 10 minutes.

Green tea and ginger are a wonderful and healthy combination. You can enhance the taste of the drink by adding lemon, orange or apple juice, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom. Some lovers add garlic to ginger - such tea is especially good for colds and the first signs of flu, especially if you add a pinch of ground black pepper to it.

How to drink ground ginger?

We have already looked at how to use ground ginger to make tea or coffee. But what other drinks can be made from ground ginger? Any. For example:

• Ginger lemonade. Boil half a liter of water, 300 g of sugar, a teaspoon of ground ginger and let it brew. Filter the mixture, add the juice of 2 lemons and dilute to taste with clean carbonated water.
• Ginger smoothie. Make freshly squeezed juice from three medium carrots, two apples, add half a teaspoon of ground ginger. Mix in a blender with one peeled orange, two bananas and a few mint leaves. Serve chilled.
• Iced ginger coffee. Brew coffee with ¼ teaspoon of ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Let the drink brew. After cooling, strain, add condensed milk to taste and crushed ice. Drink in small sips.
• Ginger kefir. A unique cocktail for weight loss. For a glass of kefir or natural yogurt without additives - half a teaspoon of ground ginger and the same amount of cinnamon, you can add a little red pepper. Shake and drink before meals, preferably in the morning on an empty stomach.

A unique and natural remedy that prolongs health and youth, gives a slim figure, and cures many diseases is ground ginger. Drink ginger tea or coffee, but do not forget about a healthy lifestyle in general: regular physical activity, a complete and balanced diet, and adherence to a drinking regime. Only a comprehensive approach will lead you to your intended goal.