Latest news with #ginger
SBS Australia
27-05-2025
- Health
- SBS Australia
Ginger – the little food that could
file:3013_sbs The bold, sculptural flower that marks ginger's spot in the ground can be seen as a testament to the rhizome's global importance – ginger has powered trade, medicine and flavour for at least 5,000 years. First cultivated in Southeast -Asia, it spread across the Indo‑Pacific with Austronesian sailors, reached Mediterranean spice routes by the 1st century, and was familiar in England by the 11th. Arab, Chinese and later Spanish traders carried it farther still, embedding the spice in countless local cuisines. That globetrotting history explains ginger's double life. In Ayurveda it fires up digestion; in Chinese medicine it's a warming tonic. Chemically, its key compounds – gingerol, shogaol and zingerone – shift from hot to sweet as the root is cooked, dried or candied, giving cooks extraordinary range. 'We always say it's a plant that gives more than it takes,' says James Stretch of Stretch Family Farms, specialist ginger growers in the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. 'It thrives under tough conditions, regenerates quickly and links generations of food and healing traditions. Ginger really is the little food that could.' A favoured producer of celebrity chef Marion Grasby, who visits the farm in her SBS series Marion's Flavours of Heart and Home , Stretch farms ginger in fields in deep volcanic soils near the Coochin Twin peaks that yield a product that is tender and rich in natural oils. As interest in wellness grows, so too does an appetite for the nutritional powerhouse. 'Customers now ask which rhizome to juice for immunity, which to steep for inflammation,' says Stretch. 'The wellness side is exploding, but flavour is still king in Aussie kitchens.' Resilient, generous and versatile, ginger has travelled from ancient trade caravans to modern wellness shots without losing its punch. Whether it's Indian masala chai or Japanese shōga‑yaki, Caribbean ginger beer or Australian ginger biscuits, ginger's shape‑shifting nature lets it blitz into cuisines around the world. Inside these silky wrappers awaits a fragrant, juicy mix of minced pork with ginger and spring onion. The dressing of chilli oil, vinegar and garlic is sure to make them disappear fast. The dish can be traced to Hainanese comfort cooking: browning ginger releases caramel notes before the soy‑braise. Reheat it next day and the sauce, time‑thickened, tastes arguably even better. Golden from turmeric and ginger, this dish channels Indonesian nasi goreng and is a great use for leftover rice. Crowned with a lacy‑edged fried egg, the molten yolk glosses every grain. For this elegant dish, salmon in poached slowly in olive oil, keeping it blush‑pink and creating a silky texture. Spoon over a ginger‑oyster sauce and top with coriander sprigs, julienned red chilli and spring onions for extra dramatic effect. Rotisserie chicken, ginger, canned tomatoes and pantry spices turn into a 30-minute curry favourite with long simmers. A riff on Hong Kong's market classic, barramundi steams in its own juices while shredded ginger and spring onions release perfumed steam. No steamer? No problem — a plate over a wok does the job. In what could be seen as Central Vietnam's answer to coq au vin, wine is swapped for fistfuls of bruised ginger, producing a sticky and peppery caramel sauce. Inspired by Chinese ginger‑milk custard, wobbling tofu meets a citrus‑ginger syrup—light enough for breakfast yet dinner‑party pretty. An old Cantonese trick is the key to this recipe — fresh ginger juice curdles hot milk into a delicate set, no gelatine needed. Sweeten lightly and eat warm before it weeps. These quick fritters channel Italian frittelle with an Asian twist — ground ginger and freshly grated ginger bring a zing to the batter, and a ginger syrup adds extra intrigue and bite. Not only is this slice super easy to make, with a crunchy base and a sweet, soft topping — it tastes even better the next day. A bring-a-plate and lunchbox staple. For this rich Jamaican cake, both fresh and dried ginger are used, creating layered warmth that cosies up to treacle's smokiness—an afternoon‑tea classic. These retro bakery classics get a modern spin with ground ginger and white pepper spiking the buttercream icing. A Tết favourite in Vietnam, sugared ginger petals symbolise warmth for the new year. Dry them thoroughly and they'll keep in an airtight jar for months. Blanching twice tames the burn before the final sugar toss. Watch now Share this with family and friends
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Expert issues warning over deadly risk of three popular spices - millions could be at risk
Three popular household spices used in everything from cakes to curries may make life-saving drugs useless, a medicines expert has warned. Cinnamon, turmeric and ginger—said to naturally reduce inflammation and boost the immune system—can affect how the body metabolises a range of drugs, including those used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, and common infections. A recent study found that the main compound in cinnamon, cinnamaldehyde, which gives the spice its unique smell and taste, also activates receptors that trigger the body to process drugs much more rapidly, reducing their effectiveness. While people who sprinkle cinnamon on their porridge should be safe, people who take cinnamon supplements could be at risk. 'Overconsumption could lead to a rapid clearance of the prescription medicine from the body, and that could result in making the medicine less effective', scientist Shabana Khan explained. Studies have shown that for some medications, such as blood thinners, therapid metabolism spurred by cinnamon can exacebate the drug's effect. In the case of aspirin and warfarin, this means a risk of potentially deadly bleeding, according to Professor Dipa Kamdar, a pharmacist from Kingston University. Experts now say the type of cinnamon matters too. 'True' cinnamon, a more expensive version of the spice originating from Sri Lanka, has been linked to a range of health benefits: it's rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, helps regulate blood sugar levels and has even been found to lower the risk of heart disease, according to Dr Kamdar. Cinnamon bark, however, which is usually found in supermarkets, contains high levels of coumarin, which can cause liver damage in high doses. Research also suggests that cinnamon could interact with other medications, like statins and antidepressants, making them more potent or less effective. Another household staple with adverse side effects is turmeric, which has previously been linked with liver failure. Turmeric has long been lauded for its anti-inflammatory properties, found in everything from immune boosting shots to curries. 'There's evidence that curcumin [the active incredient in turmeric] can affect how some drugs are metabolised by interfering with liver enzymes [that process drugs],' Prof Kamdar explained. Curcumin is a compound that naturally occurs in turmeric, giving it its bright yellow colour. Experts warn that taking multiple supplements at one time carries potential dangers due to unknown interactions that can make prescription drugs more potent or less effective Prof Kamdar continued: 'This means it could potentially interact with antidepressants, blood pressure medications, chemotherapy drugs and certain antibiotics.' In extreme cases, high doses of curcumin taken with black pepper—which helps the body absorb the spice—have been linked to severe liver damage. Prof Kamdar also speculated that, because turmeric has been found to lower blood sugar levels in animals, it could have the same effect in humans. 'This means it could increase the effects of anti-diabetic drugs or insulin. 'Additionally, turmeric has been shown to reduce blood pressure, which when combined with blood pressure medications could cause an excessive drop', the pharmacist explained. However, she stressed: 'As with cinnamon, these effects are most often linked to high dose supplements, not the small amounts used in food.' Ginger is another common spice lauded for its anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory effects. But, Prof Kamdar warns, its active compounds could interfere with the body's ability to process medication. Some studies suggest high doses of ginger may lower blood sugar, potentially increasing the impact of diabetes medication, risking deadly hypoglycemia. Ginger can also act as a mild blood thinner, Dr Kamdar added. She said: 'If you're taking medications, especially blood thinners, diabetes medicines, or chemotherapy drugs, it's worth having a quick chat with your doctors or pharmacist before starting any new herbal supplements.' 'But for most people, using spices in typical culinary amounts is safe. So go ahead: sprinkle, pinch, or dash—just be mindful of what's in your medicine cabinet—and be wary of taking any herbal supplement in high doses.'
Free Malaysia Today
14-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Ginger farming offers high potential for lucrative returns
40-year-old Khairul Azwan Mohamad Hasbor operates his own farm in Kg Sungai Panjang, Selangor. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : An increasing number of Malaysians are turning to side ventures to boost their income. While some might turn to gig-economy jobs for extra income, 40-year-old Khairul Azwan Mohamad Hasbor has chosen agriculture – a field he has pursued since 2019. Born and bred in Sungai Besar, Selangor, Khairul began with crops like bitter gourd, okra, water spinach, spinach, eggplant, and chilli. Then, in October, he ventured into ginger cultivation – a move that proved worthwhile when his first harvest of young ginger last month delivered impressive returns. Working on his farm in Kampung Sungai Panjang, Sungai Besar, Khairul said he prepared for this venture by attending a three-day course organised by the crop industry development division at the Serdang Agricultural Complex last year. 'I also gathered knowledge from Google and YouTube, and visited friends who are experienced in ginger cultivation to gain hands-on insights,' he told Bernama. 'As I had no prior experience in planting ginger, I also sought guidance from the Sabak Bernam district agriculture office. They provided significant support, especially with funding – I simply put my plan into action.' Khairul allocated 2.4ha of land for the project butused only 0.4ha in the initial phase to plant 10,000 Thai ginger saplings. Thai ginger, he noted, is in high demand locally. He shared that ginger can be harvested in a relatively short time – young ginger takes three to four months, while mature ginger takes seven to eight months. Khairul's first harvest of young ginger delivered impressive returns, inspiring him to potentially expand his cultivation area. (Bernama pic) Following the successful results of his first harvest, which he sold to wholesalers and wholesale markets, he plans to expand his cultivation area in the near future. 'There is strong demand for young ginger, with prices ranging from RM7-10 per kg. Seeing the ginger harvest for the first time from my own efforts, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction and pride,' said Khairul, who is helped by two workers. 'I wouldn't rule out expanding my plots one day, if I'm blessed with more capital. With consistency, one can attract orders locally and internationally, as ginger is not only a food source but also an ingredient in health products,' he added. Indeed, the potential of ginger farming was recently highlighted by deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who urged rural communities to take advantage of the opportunity to cultivate the crop, which offers significant financial returns. Ahmad Zahid pointed out that ginger is in high demand in markets such as China, Europe, and the United States, especially for use in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products.
The Guardian
12-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Is it true that … ginger shots boost immunity?
Do you find yourself buying tiny bottles of fiery gloop at the first signs of a cold? You're not alone. Ginger shots have become a trend in recent years, thanks to the perception that they're good for immunity. But are they? Dr Emily Leeming, a dietitian at King's College London, says it's unlikely they are a miracle cure. She says there has been only a small amount of research that shows that gingerol extracts, the active polyphenols in ginger, may help lower some markers of inflammation (an immune response), but the evidence is pretty weak. 'I could only find a limited number of studies with very small numbers of participants, published in low-quality journals, and they tend to use concentrated extracts of the active component ginger, rather than fresh juice like that in stores,' says Leeming. With the juices she wonders: 'Is that active component in large enough quantities? Is it staying active? Is the juice being stored for a long time? Is it heat-treated?' Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion She flags one small, medium-quality study, in particular, that focused on people in extreme circumstances: male endurance runners on a treadmill, who were given dried ginger in about the same quantity as you would get in a juice shot v placebos. 'They did find that there were lower levels of post-exercise inflammation, but these findings might not be the same for inflammation in disease, for example, or for people who aren't extreme athletes.' Most importantly, with inflammation, Leeming says: 'No one food is going to be a quick fix for your immune system.' Inflammation can only be lowered by having a consistent, healthy, balanced diet, exercising, getting a good night's sleep and managing stress levels. A daily ginger shot might contribute to this slightly, but there are easier, cheaper ways to have a more proven impact on your immunity. 'If you want to take ginger shots, there's no harm to it, and there might be a slight benefit,' she adds. 'But maybe it's better to spend that money on some wholefoods, like berries or cooked grains, that are going to help you keep your fibre up and feed your gut microbiome, which acts to support your immune system.'
