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4 Ginger Storage Hacks: Keep it Fresh All Year Round Without Mold or Shrinkage

11 September, 2024

Ginger is an essential spice in every household, not only for removing the fishy smell of meat and fish but also considered a valuable medicine with many uses such as treating colds, cooling down the body, preventing motion sickness, warming the body, and preventing vomiting.

However, ginger, when left for a long time, may sprout, shrink, or even rot, producing harmful toxins. To preserve ginger for the long term, even for a few months or half a year, you can apply some of the following tips to avoid spoilage.

Preserve ginger with rice

After buying ginger, clean it with water and let it dry completely in a well-ventilated area. Next, prepare some rice and put it in a box or bag, then bury the ginger in the rice. Rice creates a dry environment, and the starch in the rice helps protect the ginger from direct contact with the air. This way, the ginger will not get damp and be protected from mold, staying fresh for longer.

Clean the ginger with water and let it dry completely before storing.

Preserve ginger with sand

Sand helps reduce air circulation and water evaporation, thus helping to keep ginger fresh for longer. To do this, you need a small flower pot or plastic tub. Pour sand into the container, then bury the ginger roots in the sand and cover them with more sand. Note that you should not wash the ginger before storing it as this may affect its quality. With the dry environment that sand provides, ginger can be kept fresh for several months.

Sand reduces air circulation and water evaporation, aiding in ginger preservation.

Refrigerate the ginger

To preserve ginger for an extended period, you can store it in the refrigerator, but avoid placing it directly in the cool compartment as the high humidity will cause the ginger to mold. Instead, put the ginger in the freezer.

Before storing, clean and thoroughly dry the ginger. If you don’t want to use the ginger skin, peel it and cut the ginger into small slices. If the ginger is still damp after cutting, let it air-dry completely before placing it in a box or bag, sealing it shut, and putting it in the freezer. When needed, just take out the required amount for cooking. You can also cut the ginger into small pieces, enough for a single use, before storing them in the freezer.

Preserve ginger with saltwater

After buying ginger, clean it and soak it in diluted saltwater for about 20 minutes. Then, dry the ginger with a paper towel. Wrap the ginger in plastic wrap and store it in a cool place to use gradually.

Frequently asked questions

There are several ways to extend the shelf life of ginger. You can store it in the fridge, freezer, or even at room temperature with some successful methods. For example, storing ginger in a jar with honey, in a paper bag, or wrapping it in a cloth and then placing it in a plastic bag can keep it fresh for months.

Honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help prevent mold and bacteria from forming on the ginger. It also creates a natural seal, locking in moisture and keeping the ginger from drying out and shrinking.