what is the origin of ginger

Full Answer

What country did Ginger originate in?

This root we use as a spice and as medicine since the ancient times. Ginger first appeared in the southern parts of the ancient China. From there, it spread to India, Maluku Islands (so-called Spice Islands), rest of the Asia and West Africa. Europe saw ginger for the first time in the 1st century when the ancient Romans traded with the India.

Where did Ginger originate from?

Ginger originated from Maritime Southeast Asia. It is a true cultigen and does not exist in its wild state. The most ancient evidence of its domestication is among the Austronesian peoples where it was among several species of ginger cultivated and exploited since ancient times.

Where do ginger people originate from?

The highest percentage of redheads in the world reside in Ireland, according to Eupedia, a European website that explores ancestry and genetics. Gingers are almost equally found in Scotland, and a slightly lower percentage come from Cornwall in England as well as Western Switzerland. [7]

What does Ginger come from?

Ginger is native to the tropical rainforests of Southern Asia, is used widely in culinary and for medicinal purposes. Ginger is also scientifically known as Zingiber officinale and is a flowering plant that is perennially herbaceous and grows stems annually that are about a meter tall with narrow green leaves and yellow flowers.

Where did ginger originally come from?

ginger, (Zingiber officinale), herbaceous perennial plant of the family Zingiberaceae, probably native to southeastern Asia, or its pungent aromatic rhizome (underground stem) used as a spice, flavouring, food, and medicine.

Who first found ginger?

Interestingly, ginger does not grow in the wild and its actual origins are uncertain. Indians and Chinese are believed to have produced ginger as a tonic root for over 5000 years to treat many ailments, and this plant is now cultivated throughout the humid tropics, with India being the largest producer.

Is ginger Indian origin?

It is a tropical plant with the centre of origin in India and Malaysia. Now it is widely cultivated in India, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Malaysia, Southern China and Japan. Ginger requires warm and humid climate and thrives well from sea level to an altitude of 1500 mtrs above MSL.

When was ginger first discovered?

The known history of ginger dates back about 5000 years. Its native home is debated but its medicinal and spiritual uses were first documented in Southeast Asia, India and China. Like many other spices, ginger was once a costly commodity.

Which country eats the most ginger?

With nearly X thousand tons of ginger consumed in 2015, India became the world's leading ginger consuming country.

What does ginger do for a man?

Accordingly, dietary ginger root may enhance testosterone production by boosting the production of NO and increasing the blood flow in the testis. Testicular weight is an important anatomical indicator of the fertilization ability of males [61,62].

Is ginger a fruit or a vegetable?

VegetableGinger / Fruit or VegetableVegetables are parts of plants that are consumed by humans or other animals as food. The original meaning is still commonly used and is applied to plants collectively to refer to all edible plant matter, including the flowers, fruits, stems, leaves, roots, and seeds. Wikipedia

Where is ginger grown in the world?

Most of the global production of Ginger is harvested in India, followed by Nigeria, China, Indonesia and Nepal. Thailand, Cameroon, Bangladesh, Japan and Mali complete the top 10.

Is ginger Good For You?

Ginger is loaded with antioxidants, compounds that prevent stress and damage to your body's DNA. They may help your body fight off chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diseases of the lungs, plus promote healthy aging.

Does ginger cure infection?

Can help fight infections. Gingerol can help lower the risk of infections. In fact, ginger extract can inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria ( 44 , 45 ). According to a 2008 study, it's very effective against the oral bacteria linked to gingivitis and periodontitis.

Is ginger a herb or vegetable?

herbGinger is listed as an herb in many culinary recipes while others classify it as a spice. Some call dried ginger powder a spice while calling the fresh root version an herb.

What was ginger used for in ancient times?

The ITM scholars believed that ginger was a vermifuge as well as a remedy for paralysis and obstructive jaundice. They also revealed that this phytomedicine cures diarrhea due to corrupted food.

Where did ginger originate?

Originating in Southeast Asia, domesticised by the Austronesian people, it can be traced as one of the earliest spices exported to Europe during the spice trade, valued for medical and culinary purposes in China, Ancient Greece and Rome, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Amongst the Romans, it was an expensive spice, so was regarded as a symbol of wealth. Which is part of what makes the history of ginger so very interesting.

What is the history of ginger?

Zingiber officinale – The little root with a long saga. The history of ginger spans a good 5000 year. The long and consistent history of ginger can be traced around the world in almost every country and culture; used in just about everything from food, healing and witchcraft – there is an old superstition that throwing a ginger root into the sea can calm a thunderstorm.

What is ginger?

Ginger is a rhizome of a flowering plant with the same name and is a member of the same plant family as for example cardamon and turmeric. It has a spicy aroma due to the presence of ketones and has been used as a spice and in medicine since the break of dawn. Ginger has many uses for various reasons along with various forms. When it is young it is juicy and fleshy it’s referred to as fresh ginger and many recipes today call for it as an ingredient. When it is left to mature it dries and can then be made into a powder which in turn can be used as a spice, it is in this form we use it for example in gingerbread cookies and ginger ale.

Does ginger help with nausea?

The most common and well established use of ginger throughout history must be for that of alleviating nausea and actually vomiting. Because of this it is well known for helping to alleviate morning sickness. Ginger, especially in a tea with some lemon, is a great way for keeping nausea and vomiting at bay. Works well for seasickness too, if you happen to be a sailor or going on a ferry at some point.

Does ginger make you sweat?

Ginger is a diaphoretic, which means it makes you sweat. So if you have a cold or flu, ginger can help you sweat it all out.

Does ginger help with rheumatism?

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that mean it is great for reliving pain in tired muscles. It can also help decrease inflammation and swelling and in some cases osteoarthritis and rheumatism. It is also reported to be just as useful as Ibuprofen in easing menstrual pains. Inflammation is believed to be at the cause of health issues such as heart disease, so a little ginger every now and then can help you overall.

Is ginger a spice?

So, ginger. A long lasting and unifying little thing that has stood the test of time. Grow some in your garden, keep some in your kitchen, brew some in your tea ; it’s a useful and resourceful spice to have at hand, whether your healing, casting, or simply making your grandmother’s famous gingerbread.

Where did ginger originate?

Ginger originated from Maritime Southeast Asia. It is a true cultigen and does not exist in its wild state. The most ancient evidence of its domestication is among the Austronesian peoples where it was among several species of ginger cultivated and exploited since ancient times. They cultivated other gingers including turmeric ( Curcuma longa ), white turmeric ( Curcuma zedoaria ), and bitter ginger ( Zingiber zerumbet ). The rhizomes and the leaves were used to flavour food or eaten directly. The leaves were also used to weave mats. Aside from these uses, ginger had religious significance among Austronesians, being used in rituals for healing and for asking protection from spirits. It was also used in the blessing of Austronesian ships.

Where did the word "ginger" come from?

The English origin of the word "ginger" is from the mid-14th century, from Old English gingifer, from Medieval Latin gingiber, from Greek zingiberis, from Prakrit (Middle Indic) singabera, from Sanskrit srngaveram. The Sanskrit word is thought to come from a Tamil word that also produced the Malayalam name inchi-ver (from inchi "root"), ...

What family is ginger in?

Ginger is in the family Zingiberaceae, which also includes turmeric ( Curcuma longa ), cardamom ( Elettaria cardamomum ), and galangal.

How is ginger grown in India?

Ginger produced in India is most often farmed through homestead farming. Since most ginger crops are produced on homestead farms, the farm employees are mostly family members or other local members of the community. Gendered roles within ginger farming are distributed quite evenly and fairly. From land preparation to seed storage, all works of ginger cultivation in India are generally done by both female and male farmers. Male farmers are widely known as the ones who purchase seeds, do the ploughing, and mulching, while female farmers usually do weeding and both genders share the work of hoeing, digging, planting, manure application, and harvesting. This being said, since these farms are family run the distribution of work is more dependent on the family situation rather than gender. For example, if there are more men in the family then there would be more men working on the farm, but if there are an equal number of men and women, or less men than woman then there would be more women seen working on the farm. Who does the selling of the ginger varies throughout different cities and states in India. In Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland (all in the Northeast of India) woman are important benefactors in the sale of ginger, but in Sikkim which is also in the Northeast region, men play a larger role than women do in the sale of ginger.

What is ginger used for?

Ginger is a very popular spice used worldwide; whether it be used to spice up meals, or as a medicine, the demand for ginger all over the world has been consistent throughout history. Ginger can be used for a variety of food or medicine items such as vegetables, candy, soda, pickles, and alcoholic beverages.

How deep does ginger grow?

Ginger has the ability to grow in a wide variety of land types and areas, however is best produced when grown in a warm, humid environment, at an elevation between 300 and 900 m (1,000 and 3,000 ft), and in well-drained soils at least 30 cm deep.

Why is ginger called wild ginger?

The distantly related dicots in the genus Asarum are commonly called wild ginger because of their similar taste. In 2018, world production of ginger was 2.8 million tonnes, led by India with 32% of the world total.

What is ginger used for?

The peeled rhizomes may be preserved by boilingin syrup. In Japan and elsewhere, slices of ginger are eaten between dishes or courses to clear the palate. Ginger is used medically to treat flatulenceand colic.

What is the main component of ginger?

Subscribe Now. Ginger contains about 2 percent essential oil; the principal component is zingiberene and the pungent principle of the spice is zingerone. The oil is distilled from rhizomes for use in the food and perfume industries.

How thick are ginger flowers?

The flowers are in dense conelike spikes about 1 inch thick and 2 to 3 inches long that are composed of overlapping green bracts, which may be edged with yellow. Each bract encloses a single, small, yellow-green and purple flower. common ginger. Common, true, or Canton ginger ( Zingiber officinale ).

How is ginger propagated?

Ginger is propagated by planting rootstalk cuttings and has been under this type of cultivation for so long that it no longer goes to seed. Harvesting is done simply by lifting the rhizomes from the soil, cleansing them, and drying them in the sun. The dried ginger rhizomes are irregular in shape, branched or palmate.

How to preserve ginger?

The peeled rhizomes may be preserved by boiling in syrup. In Japan and elsewhere, slices of ginger are eaten between dishes or courses to clear the palate. Ginger is used medically to treat flatulence and colic. The leafy stems of ginger grow about a metre high.

Where does the name Zingiber come from?

Its generic name Zingiber is derived from the Greek zingiberis, which comes from the Sanskrit name of the spice, singabera. Its use in India and China has been known from ancient times, and by the 1st century ce traders had taken ginger into the Mediterranean region. By the 11th century it was well known in England.

Where is the ginger factory in Australia?

Visit the Ginger Factory in Yandina on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

What is the origin of the word "gingiber"?

mid-14c., from Old English gingifer, gingiber, from Late Latin gingiber, from Latin zingiberi, from Greek zingiberis, from Prakrit (Middle Indic) singabera, from Sanskrit srngaveram, from srngam "horn" + vera- "body," so called from the shape of its root. But this may be Sanskrit folk etymology, and the word may be from an ancient Dravidian word ...

What does gingery mean?

In reference to coloring, by 1785 of fighting cocks, 1885 of persons ( gingery with reference to hair is from 1852). Meaning "spirit, spunk, temper" is from 1843, American English (see gin (v.1)). Ginger-ale is recorded by 1822, the term adopted by manufacturers to distinguish their product from ginger beer (1809), which was sometimes fermented.

Where did the word "inchi ver" come from?

But this may be Sanskrit folk etymology, and the word may be from an ancient Dravidian word that also produced the Malayalam name for the spice, inchi-ver, from inchi "root.". The word apparently was readopted in Middle English from Old French gingibre (12c., Modern French gingembre ).

When was ginger first used?

Other theories suggest that the term ginger was used much earlier. In fact, it was used for the first time in the 18th century, taking its inspiration from a tropical plant called the Malaysian Ginger Plant.

Why Are Redheads Called Ginger?

Nobody knows the true origin of the word ginger. And, while some theories sound more convincing than others, all of them are speculative. In this section, we will look at all the explanations in detail.

Is It Rude to Call Someone Ginger?

It can certainly be rude to call someone ginger, and that’s because of the fact that some people will be offended by it. Different people with red hair have different opinions about the word.

Why is ginger called redhead?

Ginger is Objectifying. One of the reasons you should refrain from calling a redhead ginger is because the term can be objectifying. Even though some amount of a person’s identity comes from their hair color, it is not the only thing that defines them. There is more to them, just like any other group of people.

Who is Ginger Grant?

This is because the popular American TV show featured a character named Ginger Grant (Tina Louise), who had red hair and pale skin. Ginger quickly became enormously popular among Americans and people began calling redheads gingers because they looked similar to Ginger from the show.

Does ginger reopen wounds?

It Reopens Wounds. Calling someone ginger may reopen old wounds. Most people with red hair have been bullied at some point in life, especially in school. Movies also show red-haired kids as targets for bullies as they are very noticeable.

Are the terms “Redhead” and “Ginger” the Same?

To most of us, they mean the same thing, with ginger being the slang term for redheads.

What is a ginger?

Not necessarily official, but here is the Urban Dictionary’s definition of ‘Gingers’: A human, characterized by pale skin, freckles and bright red hair. ‘Gingers’ are generally considered to be inferior to their more.

How old is ginger?

In fact, we’ve heard that ‘Ginger’ could be older than a hundred years old, with late 18th century references to prove this. During this time and throughout the 19th century, Britain occupied parts of Malaysia, home to the Red Ginger plant.

Why are redheads called ginger?

Some think this is because redheads tend to have a fiery temper and can pack a punch (not always literally). But, we think this can’t be the sole reason why we’re called ‘Gingers’, if at all.

Why are people with red hair called ginger?

Another theory is that those with red hair are called ‘Gingers’ thanks to ginger-flavoured food, which tend to show an auburn, reddish tinge: ginger cake, gingerbread, and ginger snaps.

Where is ginger grown?

Indians and Chinese are believed to have produced ginger as a tonic root for over 5000 years to treat many ailments, and this plant is now cultivated throughout the humid tropics, with India being the largest producer. Ginger was used as a flavoring agent long before history was formally recorded. It was an exceedingly important article of trade and was exported from India to the Roman Empire over 2000 years ago, where it was especially valued for its medicinal properties. Ginger continued to be a highly sought after commodity in Europe even after the fall of the Roman Empire, with Arab merchants controlling the trade in ginger and other spices for centuries. In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the value of a pound of ginger was equivalent to the cost of a sheep. By medieval times, it was being imported in preserved form to be used in sweets. Queen Elizabeth I of England is credited with the invention of the gingerbread man, which became a popular Christmas treat.

What are the constituents of ginger?

At least 115 constituents in fresh and dried ginger varieties have been identified by a variety of analytical processes. Gingerols are the major constituents of fresh ginger and are found slightly reduced in dry ginger, whereas the concentrations of shogaols, which are the major gingerol dehydration products, are more abundant (Jolad et al. 2005) in dry ginger than in fresh ginger. At least 31 gingerol-related compounds have been identified from the methanolic crude extracts of fresh ginger rhizome (Jiang, Solyom et al. 2005). Ginger has been fractionated into at least 14 bioactive compounds, including [4]-gingerol, [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, [10]-gingerol, [6]-paradol, [14]-shogaol, [6]-shogaol, 1-dehydro-[10]-gingerdione, [10]-gingerdione, hexahydrocurcumin, tetrahydrocurcumin, gingerenone A, 1,7-bis-(4′ hydroxyl-3′ methoxyphenyl)-5-methoxyhepthan-3-one, and methoxy-[10]-gingerol (Koh et al. 2009). The proportion of each individual component in a sample of ginger depends on country of origin, commercial processor, and whether the ginger is fresh, dried, or processed (Schwertner, Rios, and Pascoe 2006). Of the bioactive pungent components of Jamaican ginger, including [6]-, [8]-, and [10]-gingerols and [6]-shogaol, [6]-gingerol appears to be the most abundant pungent bioactive compound in most of the oleoresin samples studied (Bailey-Shaw et al. 2008). Although phylogenetic analysis has showed that all ginger samples from widely different geographical origins are genetically indistinguishable, metabolic profiling showed some quantitative differences in the contents of [6]-, [8]-, and [10]-gingerols (Jiang et al. 2006). An examination of the concentrations of [6]-, [8]-, and [10]-gingerols and [6]-shogaol in 10 different ginger-root dietary supplements purchased randomly from a variety of pharmacies and health food stores yielded some disconcerting results (Schwertner, Rios, and Pascoe 2006). Perhaps not surprisingly, the content of these active components was found to vary extensively from none or very minute amounts to several milligrams per gram. In addition, the suggested serving size ranged from about 250 mg to 4.8 g/day (Schwertner, Rios, and Pascoe 2006). The basis for the wide range of dosing is not clear. These studies suggest that ginger contains a variety of bioactive compounds and standardization of contents is critically lacking.

What are the bioactive components of ginger?

The most extensively studied bioactive components include gingerols and shogaols, especially [6]-gingerol and [6]-shogaol, respectively.

What is the most abundant bioactive component of ginger root?

Structure of [6]-gingerol, believed to be the most abundant bioactive component of ginger root.

Is ginger a condiment?

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae) is one of the most commonly consumed dietary condiments in the world (Surh et al. 1999). The oleoresin (i.e., oily resin) from the rhizomes (i.e., roots) of ginger contains many bioactive components, such as [6]-gingerol (1-[4′-hydroxy-3′- methoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-3-decanone; Figure 7.1), which is the primary pungent ingredient that is believed to exert a variety of remarkable pharmacological and physiological activities. Although ginger is generally considered to be safe (Kaul and Joshi 2001), the lack of a complete understanding of its mechanisms of action suggests caution in its therapeutic use (Wilkinson 2000a). Previous reviews (Barrett, Kiefer, and Rabago 1999; Ness, Sherman, and Pan 1999; Talalay and Talalay 2001) have emphasized the importance of careful scientific research in establishing the safety and efficacy of potential therapeutic plant remedies and in defining the risks and benefits of herbal medicine. Ginger has been used for thousands of years for the treatment of numerous ailments, such as colds, nausea, arthritis, migraines, and hypertension. The medicinal, chemical, and pharmacological properties of ginger have been extensively reviewed (Surh, Lee, and Lee 1998; Ernst and Pittler 2000; Afzal et al. 2001; Bode and Dong 2004; Boone and Shields 2005; Borrelli et al. 2005; Chrubasik and Pittler 2005; Chrubasik, Pittler, and Roufogalis 2005; Grzanna, Lindmark, and Frondoza 2005; Thompson and Potter 2006; Eliopoulos 2007; Shukla and Singh 2007; White 2007; Ali et al. 2008; Nicoll and Henein 2009). Over the last few years, interest in ginger or its various components as valid preventive or therapeutic agents has increased markedly, and scientific studies focusing on verification of ginger’s pharmacological and physiological actions have likewise increased (Ali et al. 2008). The primary purpose of this chapter is to comprehensively examine the available scientific evidence regarding ginger’s proven effectiveness in preventing or treating a variety of pathologic conditions.

Does ginger extract help with radiation?

Ginger extract has been reported to exert radioprotective effects in mice exposed to gamma radiation (Jagetia et al. 2003), and the effect was associated with decreased lipid peroxidation and protection of GSH levels (Jagetia, Baliga, and Venkatesh 2004). [6]-gingerol pretreatment also decreased oxidative stress induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) and activated caspase-3, -8, -9, and Fas expression (Kim et al. 2007). Evidence does seem to suggest that ginger and some of its components are effective antioxidants in vitro. However, whether the physiological activity occurs in humans in vivo is not clear, and the specific mechanism and cellular targets are still to be determined.

Does ginger help with lipid peroxidation?

Ginger consumption has also been reported to decrease lipid peroxidation and normalize the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as GSH and glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase, in rats (Ahmed et al. 2008).

Overview

Origin and distribution

Etymology

History

Horticulture

Production in India

Ginger farming

Transportation and export of ginger