I slice it up and brew it like tea. It helps to get rid of fat accumulated over the years
It warms, refreshes, but also has health benefits: it aids digestion, supports the circulatory system, and boosts the body's immunity. It has an interesting, slightly spicy taste with a spicy aroma. Do you need more arguments to prepare ginger tea?
11:58 AM EDT, October 12, 2023
Ginger originates from Southeast Asia, where it was cultivated 3 thousand years ago. This bulbous plant was used in traditional Indian, Chinese, or Persian medicine, employed in the treatment of indigestion, bloating, nausea, ulcers, headaches, joint inflammation, and lungs. It was also considered an effective aphrodisiac, inhabitants of the Philippines or Indonesia to this day drink extract from ginger root as a stimulating preparation. Women in New Guinea, meanwhile, use it as a contraceptive method.
This plant is utilized in various ways in Asia. One of the oldest is ginger tea, which was enjoyed in China during the Tang dynasty, between the 7th and 10th centuries AD. The beverage was then flavored with orange peel, cloves, and peppermint.
Ginger tea has long been popular in other corners of Asia as well. In Korea, pine nuts are added to it, in Indonesia it's sweetened with palm sugar and flavored with pandan leaves (which have a subtle flavor of roses, almonds, vanilla, and coconut), while in India, it's served with lemon juice. The beverage is often served with milk.
No matter the additives, ginger tea is a very healthy specialty, which is especially good for fall and winter. How to prepare it?
"Ginger - Nutritional Values"
Ginger rhizomes hide a wealth of essential oils, primarily zingiberene, which gives it a sharp, spicy taste. We can also find resins, sugars, mineral salts, and organic acids in them.
Thanks to its unique composition, ginger has strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, used among others in alleviating ailments associated with rheumatic diseases. The aromatic spice acts against blood clots, reducing blood viscosity. It supports the circulatory system.
Ginger tea is also a very effective fat burner - it causes a significant increase in the body's thermogenesis, thereby speeding up the metabolism. It also stimulates the secretion of enzymes, which positively affects the digestive and food systems. Ginger root has a protective effect on the stomach, preventing the formation of ulcers. It alleviates nausea and prevents vomiting. It is a natural stimulant, giving energy and improving concentration. It helps clear respiratory pathways and strengthens the immune system.
Ginger, thanks to the high content of compounds called gingerols, effectively prevents motion sickness, which was already used centuries ago by Chinese junk sailors, chewing the root of this plant while working.
How to prepare ginger tea
We thoroughly rinse the ginger root and remove any discolorations or impurities. Then, we cut it into very thin slices - we need 2 tablespoons of this ingredient, which we then add to a pot of fresh water (about 16.9 fluid ounces). Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes. The longer it simmers, the stronger the tea will be, but it will also be spicier.
In the end, we strain the drink and season it with fresh juice squeezed from a lime or lemon (1 tablespoon) and sweeten it with honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup (2 tablespoons).
Ginger tea can be enriched with other additives, for example, by adding a stick of cinnamon before boiling, thin slices of turmeric (which provides even more nutritional value, an orange color, and an intriguing taste), or sprigs of mint providing the beverage with a pleasant freshness, and after cooling, also refreshment.