Ginger is very important commercial crop grown for its aromaticrhizomes which is used both as a spices and medicine. Ginger is valued for thedried ginger spice and preserved, crystallised ginger. Ginger is a perennialplant but is usually grown as an annual for harvesting as a spice. Ginger isbest grown in partial shade and can be incorporate as an intercrop in coconut,coffee and orange plantations.
Ginger possesses a warm pungent taste and a pleasant odor, henceit has a wide use as a flavoring in numerous food preparation, beverages,ginger bread, soups, pickles and many soft drinks. There are two general typesof ginger viz. fresh green ginger used for the preparation of candied ginger(in sugar syrup) and dried or cured ginger applied in the spice trade, forextracts, oleoresins and for the distillation of its volatile oil.
An increasing demand for ginger in India coupled with a drop indomestic production is resulting in India becoming a net importer. India is theworld’s largest producer and consumer of ginger. Ginger can be processed into awide variety of products. Many products can be manufactured from ginger likedehydrated ginger, ginger candy, ginger powder, ginger oil and oleoresins andso on. Ginger is an important commercial crop with versatile applications. Ascondiment, ginger is used for flavoring many food products like tomato sauce orketchup, salad dressings, meat sausages, gravies, pickles, curry dishes and soon.