The significant increase in ginger consumption during winter makes many people curious about its effects on the body. Are you one of those who are yet to fully understand the benefits of ginger? Then this dossier we've prepared might change a lot for you this winter!

Nature is so much more to us than we perceive; it constantly works for our well-being, even if we're not explicitly aware of it. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are the greatest proof of this! Because these foods not only grow according to hot and cold weather conditions but also provide effects perfectly suited to our body's seasonal needs. Ginger, whose harvest time falls in the last months of the year, is one of them… So, what kind of components might this root plant contain? The answers to this and many other questions you might have about ginger await you on the next page!

1. WHAT IS GINGER?

Ginger is a type of root plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, which it is named after. Growing in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Asian continent, this plant has held a wide place in traditional recipes of different societies for centuries. Today, ginger can be consumed directly for nutritional purposes, either fresh or dried, and is also frequently used as a raw material in various industries.

2. HOW IS GINGER USED?

In Turkish cuisine, ginger is used in two ways: both its fresh roots and powdered spice form. Fresh ginger, having a bitter taste, is usually not consumed raw by itself. Instead, it is grated or sliced and combined with different flavors for recipes such as tea, daily supplementary mixtures, or various dishes and pastries. Powdered ginger, on the other hand, can be directly added to ready-to-eat foods, beverages, or meals.

2.1. AREAS OF GINGER USAGE

• Homemade recipes: Used in fish, chicken, red meat dishes, pastries, and beverages.

• Food industry: Added to beverages such as sodas and ready-made snacks like cakes and cookies.

• Pharmacology: Used as a raw material in products such as lozenges, syrups, and capsules.

• Cosmetics: Its essential oil or extract is added to the formulas of skin and hair care products.

• Aromatherapy: Used as a room scent or massage oil.

3. WHAT IS GINGER USED FOR?

Ginger is generally preferred in homemade recipes to give dishes a sharp and refreshing aroma. This plant, whose refreshing property is even more prominent in cold beverages, also gains a stimulating quality in hot beverages thanks to its distinctive aroma and powerful components. The use of ginger in ready-made foods is similarly for leveraging its unique strong aroma. The essential oils and extracts obtained from ginger contribute to achieving targeted results in medicine, cosmetics, and aromatherapy.

4. WHAT SUBSTANCES DOES GINGER CONTAIN?

Looking at the nutritional values of fresh ginger, it first stands out for containing approximately 80 percent water. With very low carbohydrate (17.8 percent) and fat (0.75 percent) content, this root plant contains saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, 10 types of minerals, and 4 types of vitamins along with their different subtypes. Furthermore, ginger contains 18 of the 20 types of amino acids found in nature.

5. HOW IS GINGER CONSUMED?

Ginger usage naturally varies between fresh and dried powdered forms. Accordingly;

5.1. FRESH GINGER CONSUMPTION

• You can grate it and add it to water or milk.

• You can brew it grated or sliced to make ginger tea.

• You can use it in milk-based desserts for a lighter flavor.

• You can add it to chicken, fish, and meat dishes during cooking.

• You can add it to food sauces.

• After grating, you can add natural honey to prepare daily supplementary mixtures.

5.2. POWDERED GINGER CONSUMPTION

• You can add it to water and milk and consume it.

• You can add it to all desired dishes, soups, salads, and sauces.

• You can add it to single or mixed herbal teas.

• You can use it in your bread or sweet pastry recipes.

• By mixing it with honey or other ingredients, you can obtain pastes that can be used internally or externally.

• You can prepare natural facial masks with ingredients such as honey, milk, yogurt, etc.

6. HOW MUCH GINGER SHOULD BE CONSUMED?

It is recommended to limit fresh ginger consumption to a maximum of one small rhizome per day, and powdered ginger to a maximum of 2 grams per day.

7. HOW MANY CALORIES DOES GINGER HAVE?

100 grams of fresh ginger has an energy value of 80 calories, while this value reaches 335 calories for powdered ginger. However, considering that one fresh ginger rhizome weighs 50 grams, this amounts to only 40 calories per day for those who consume the plant in its root form. For 2 grams of powdered ginger consumption, this value is 6.70 calories.

Did you know that the Apitera series, which brings together miraculous bee products with valuable plants, also offers a ginger product option? And it's combined with other winter essentials like lemon, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper! Now is the perfect time to try Apitera Zen, which gains even more power with honey and propolis...