The Top Tip For Storing Ginger

Ginger is one of the most versatile foods you can have in your kitchen. Originating from the Middle English "gingivere," ginger dates back more than 5,000 years as a root to treat many different types of aliments, including colds, nausea, migraines, and more, per a 2011 report published in "Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects." Because of its strong taste and many medicinal uses, it has long been a used throughout the centuries in India, China, Japan, Jamaica, Greece, and more.

Today, you might be more accustomed to ginger served alongside sushi or mixed into an immune-supporting drink. But if this is where you stop integrating ginger into your diet, you're missing out. Ginger is a versatile root that can be added to a variety of dishes, including energy bars, cakes, soups, smoothies, and more.

Once you start integrating more ginger into your diet, you'll find yourself buying and storing it. To get the best effects from ginger — in taste, freshness, and full health benefits — you'll want to sure you store it properly.

If you enjoy having fresh ginger for its health benefits and fresh, zesty taste, learning how to store it is important. If you have fresh ginger root that isn't yet peeled or cut, you should be able to keep it for multiple weeks. 

Ginger roots can be stored at room temperature or in airtight containers in the refrigerator's crisper drawer, the latter lasting for three to four weeks. "Fresh ginger has a pretty decent shelf life under refrigeration," Colorado-based chef Samuel McCandless said to MindBodyGreen. If you keep it on the counter, meanwhile, you'll want to ensure that it's kept in a darker, cooler place, out of direct sunlight (per MasterClass).

Of course, storing anything varies depending on location and current climate conditions. If you live in a warmer and more humid environment, your ginger might start getting bad faster than it would in a drier environment. If your ginger starts losing its hardened shape and begins to grow mold spots, it's time to throw it away.

Ginger that's already been broken, either by peeling or mincing, should be stored differently than untouched ginger root to prevent oxidation. You can do this by wrapping peeled ginger in plastic wrap and placing it in the fridge, MindBodyGreen suggests. According to MasterClass, peeled ginger should stay fresh for up to three weeks. You can also use a paper towel to dry out the exposed part of the ginger before wrapping it and placing it in the fridge for even better results.

Freezing ginger is another great method for storing ginger for months at a time. You can place a whole ginger root directly in the freezer in a plastic bag or container, which will allow you to use it for up to six months, according to MasterClass. One benefit of freezing ginger is that you can start cutting or grating it right out of the freezer when you're ready to use it and don't have to wait for it to thaw. (Just make sure to wash it first before freezing.)

You can also peel ginger and freeze it. According to MasterClass, you can peel ginger and place it in a freezer-safe container to last for a couple of months. Additionally, you can make ginger puree or paste and freeze that. Spoon it into an ice cube tray, freeze, and then move it into a freezer bag. With this method, you can place your homemade ginger paste cubes right into your blender or frying pan.