Ginger

spice · plant · medicine · root

Underground superstar. Ginger grows from a rhizome, which is like a thick underground stem that stores food and energy. This is the part we dig up, slice, and use in cooking and tea.

Tall and leafy above. Above ground, ginger plants grow to about one meter tall with narrow green leaves that soak up sunlight. The plant grows back year after year, making it a perennial.

Fancy hidden flowers. Ginger produces beautiful flowers with pale yellow petals edged in purple, and they grow on special shoots that come right out of the underground rhizome. These flowers are pretty but tucked away underground where they start.

Kitchen favorite worldwide. People have used ginger for thousands of years to add zesty, warm flavor to food and drinks. It's one of the most popular spices in cooking all around the globe.

Natural healing helper. Many cultures believe ginger helps calm upset stomachs and reduce swelling in the body. Modern science is still studying how well these traditional uses actually work.