The ginger plant has a
thick, branched rhizome (underground stem) with a brown outer layer
and yellow centre that has a spicy, citrusy aroma.
Every year, it grows pseudostems (false stems made of tightly
wrapped leaf bases) from the rhizome which bear narrow leaves.
Ginger is the dried knobby shaped rhizome of the plant Zingiber
officinale. The Latin name, zingiber, derives from interpretations
of the name in Indic languages where ginger was described
asshaped
like a deer\'s antler (horn).
The flavor of fresh ginger is slightly
peppery and sweet, with a pungent and spicy aroma.
Much like garlic, fresh ginger mellows with cooking and turns
bitter if burned. The ground form is not as strongly flavored but
has a warm bite and a little sweetness.
