How Long Does Ginger Root Last And Ways To Preserve Them Longer

Heya guys! How’re you holding up?

I’m sure all you fellas are blooming like a sunflower, ain’t it? So am I! 

Yesterday, I was swinging by my kitchen in a hope that someone would offer to make a cup of tea for me. Due to the manipulating powers of my puppy eyes, my brother gave in and asked me to get him a ginger root for relieving my irritable throat. When I gave him one, he said and I quote “Don’t you know how to tell if the ginger root is bad?” I simply stared at him like a dumbass. 

After such deep humiliation, I decided to learn about how long does ginger roots last.  So I researched and asked my mum all about it and came to the conclusion of how long does fresh ginger last and how to identify if it’s bad.

And, you guys know me well by now, I can’t keep fresh info to me for long. So here I’m to enlighten you with some ginger-spicy facts!

If you wanna grow ginger in your herb garden, then follow these steps!

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About Ginger

Ginger, scientifically known as Zingiber officinale, is a perennial flowering plant with annual pseudostems. Its root, a rhizome, is also known as ginger root or ginger. It shares the family Zingiberaceae along with turmeric and cardamom. It is believed to have originated somewhere in Southeast Asia. It is the first spice that was ever exported to Europe from Asia for trade. Currently, India is the largest producer of Ginger.

The word ‘Ginger’ originates from the medieval Latin word ‘Gingifer’. Ginger has yellow blooming flowers which plump out of a whitish-pink bud.  

Benefits Of Ginger

• Ginger is anti-inflammatory, so it helps in fighting symptoms of cold and flu.
• It also aids digestion and relieves nausea.
• Ginger is high in Antioxidants.
• It helps reduce the symptoms of Arthritis.
• It regulates blood sugar levels, thus reducing heart-related risks.
• Ginger helps minimize the intensity of menstrual cramps.

Uses Of Ginger

• One of the most famous uses of ginger is as a spice. Be it Indian, Korean, Italian, or Chinese cuisines, ginger is extensively used in all their recipes.
• Due to its property of treating cold, ginger is also used in tea concoctions, either freshly grated or ground.
• Ginger is also used in Alcoholic Cocktails to infuse them with its spiciness.
• Ginger can also be made into ginger wine or ginger candy.
• Ginger is also used in a variety of Ayurvedic Medicines.

Can Ginger Go Bad?

The question that emerged way before then “How long does ginger last?” was obviously “does it even go bad?”. I mean, I never knew if it could.

But it was yesterday when I found that yes, it can go bad! Just like any other herb, Ginger too has an expiration date attached to its life span. 

Now, let us find out how long does ginger roots last.

Shelf Life Of Ginger

“How long is ginger good for?”, this can be the question of whose answer you’re looking for here. So, let me solve this one for you! 

The answer to the question of how long does ginger root last depends on the situation and conditions your ginger root is in. I’ll be listing down ginger and its shelf life in different situations below. So keep on scrolling!

• Fresh Whole Ginger

Fresh ginger lasts for about a week if in the pantry and can last for up to a month if stored in the refrigerator. Just make sure that it is completely dried up, that is, doesn’t have any residual water on its surface or in the surroundings you are storing it.

• Peeled-Chopped Ginger

There isn’t any other alternative but to store peeled and chopped ginger in the refrigerator. And if you’re asking how long does ginger root last if it’s peeled and kept in the pantry, then you’ll be lucky if it stays fresh even for a day. In the refrigerator, it lasts for up to a week.

• Ginger Powder

It will be best when stored in an air-tight container in the pantry. Ginger powder can last for up to 2-3 years if stored properly.

• Chopped Ginger Jar

Mostly, these supermarket jars last till the date mentioned on the pack. For added safety, you must store it in the refrigerator and use it within 2-3 months.

• Ginger Paste

The ginger paste can last for 1 to 1.5 months when stored in the refrigerator.

That is all you need to know about how long does ginger root last, now let us move forward.

How To Tell If Ginger Has Rotten

Now that you know how long does ginger root last, the next immediate question hauling in your mind must be ‘How to identify rotten ginger root?’, isn’t it? Okay so here’s the answer. Rotten ginger root is accompanied by a foul smell. On the surface, it turns moist and soft, also develops a blackish tint. If you see any of these things happening to your ginger roots, it is time to throw them off.

How To Store Fresh Ginger

After answering ‘how long does ginger root last?’ and ‘how to tell if it is bad?’, it is time to start with the actual agenda of storage. 

I’m going to share with you guys some of the best ways to preserve fresh ginger roots for longer than usual! So let us hop on to the listicle!

• Tipsy Ginger (wink)

One of the best ways to store peeled ginger in your refrigerator is to soak it into alcohol. Peel and chop your ginger and dip it into whisky or vodka or whatever you like. Now you can freeze this for however long you want! 

The benefits of this method are- as alcohol’s freezing point is lower than the temperature of your freezer, you don’t have to worry about defrosting your ginger for every use. Also, ginger infuses its flavor into the alcohol, hence allowing you to try your hands at ginger-flavored cocktails.

• Or Just Freeze It

Simply toss your ginger roots into the freezer by wrapping them into a plastic wrap and sealing them into an air-tight container.

• Don’t Peel, Just Place

For the lazy chefs, you don’t need to do much for storing your ginger and escaping frequent vegetable tours to the supermarket. Just take a paper bag. Now dry your ginger roots of any extra moisture that might be present on its surface. Place the dried roots inside the paper bag and toss them into the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. You’re done!

• Paste Storage Technique

If you want to store the ginger paste for your recipe then follow the further steps for long ginger life. After making the paste if your desired consistency, add salt to it. This will keep the ginger paste from moisture and keep it from going bad. You can also add some olive oil and spice if you want to.

After adding these condiments, transfer the paste into an airtight jar. The key here is to keep away any undesired damping. You can also add a layer of plastic wrap before placing the lid onto the jar. Now, you’re ready to toss it into your fridge or freezer, as per your choice.

I hope I have been able to answer your questions of ‘How long does ginger root last?’ and ‘How to store ginger for long?’. Until next time, toodles!