Candied ginger: benefits, harms, medicinal properties and cooking methods

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

The benefits and harms of candied ginger are of great importance to anyone who plans to use them for medicinal purposes. There are literally legends about the benefits of this dessert, but you need to understand that it may be contraindicated for some. We will talk about this in the article. It should be clearly understood in which diseases this product will really be useful, and in which it will be harmful.

Description

It is important to understand the benefits and harms of candied ginger in order to properly use this delicacy and take it only when it is really necessary and guaranteed not to cause any harm to he alth.

In fact, these candied fruits are dried pieces of ginger root boiled in rich sugar syrup. Ginger is one of the most beneficial for the human body and amazing herbal plants. Its homeland is officially considered to be Western India, but nowadays ginger can be found on other continents. It grows in Vietnam, China, West Africa, Japan, Argentina, Brazil and Jamaica.

At the same time, it is worth recognizing that outwardly candied fruits in ginger sugar look extremely unpresentable. These are pale yellow heavily candied slices of a very small size. At the same time, they retain the burning taste of fresh ginger, which becomes less pronounced due to the fact that it is softened by sweetness. The most important thing is that candied fruits retain the vast majority of the beneficial properties inherent in the original product. But ginger has not just a lot of them, but an incredible amount! This plant is considered one of the main healing agents in oriental medicine.

Benefit

Take a closer look at the benefits and harms of candied ginger. It is believed that they have a lot of useful properties, like a fresh plant. The composition of candied ginger contains a large number of useful components, which allows us to consider this delicacy an effective remedy for many well-known ailments. Among the substances important for our body, ginger contains:

• magnesium;
• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• manganese;
• calcium;
• sodium;
• chrome;
• silicon;
• iron;
• germanium;
• vitamin C;
• oleic, nicotinic and linoleic acid;
• choline;
• tryptophan;
• phenylalanine;
• asparagine;
• valine;
• methionine;
• threonine.

It is worth noting that even this is not a complete list. In factthere are even more useful substances, these are only the most basic and important.

Ginger owes its characteristic burning taste, by which this plant can be immediately recognized, to gingerol. This substance, which helps to accelerate metabolic processes in the body, has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect, and also prevents the formation of tumors.

Thanks to so many different substances, candied ginger has many beneficial properties.

The most important of them are:

• treatment of various diseases of the upper respiratory tract due to warming, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, diaphoretic, expectorant, decongestant and analgesic action;
• strengthening the human immune system;
• providing an antispasmodic effect;
• activation of digestive processes in the body; candied fruits relieve intoxication, relieve constipation, stimulate appetite;
• treatment of various pustular skin diseases;
• cleansing the blood of toxins and improving blood circulation;
• normalization of female and male hormonal systems;
• slowing down the aging of the body;
• improvement of the cardiovascular system;
• regulation of lipid metabolism, which greatly contributes to weight loss;
• antitumor effect;
• increase endurance and improve memory.

Thus, the benefits of candied ginger, when used correctly, are really great.

Healing properties

The healing properties of this traditional medicine are of particular interest. Most of the patients who used them for various diseases responded positively to the question of whether candied ginger is useful. At the same time, it is worth recognizing that in the form of candied fruits this plant is not as effective as in fresh, but it can still help with various ailments. Candied ginger root is used in the complex treatment of various diseases, as well as for their prevention.

First of all, these candied fruits are effective in the fight against colds. They have the ability to destroy pathogenic bacteria, neutralize inflammatory processes, relieve swelling. At the same time, they warm well, stimulate expectoration, eliminate chills. If a patient has a sore throat, it is believed that it is enough for the patient to thoroughly chew a small piece of candied ginger so that the painful and unpleasant sensations in the throat completely disappear.

Candied fruit is also recommended for patients who have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This he althy sweet effectively stimulates the digestive system, significantly improving gastric secretion, increases appetite, and relieves belching.

Ginger, including in the form of candied fruits, is considered an effective antiparasitic agent that allows you to get rid of helminthic invasions. In addition, it effectively cleanses the blood, strengthens blood vessels, and removes harmful cholesterol from the body. Due to the last listed properties, it is often advised to take it with consistently high blood pressure.pressure, with a breakdown, as an aid in the fight against atherosclerosis.

Of course, candied ginger (photos are presented in the article) is not a panacea for all diseases. We emphasize that this is still a folk method of treatment, therefore, for serious ailments, it can only be used as an adjuvant in complex treatment. Along with drugs prescribed by a doctor, these candied fruits help with arthrosis, arthritis, and rheumatism. It is believed that ginger root can effectively stop the growth of cancer cells, so it is recommended for the prevention of cancer.

Often, candied ginger is taken by the fair sex. For them, this remedy is recommended for relieving spasms with too painful periods. In addition, ginger root has the ability to stimulate the uterus. It is believed that this helps when trying to get rid of infertility.

Recommend a remedy based on ginger and for toxicosis. Candied fruits effectively relieve the symptoms that accompany it. Finally, ginger has the ability to burn fat, so it is included in a variety of diets, recommended to patients who get rid of extra pounds. It should be borne in mind that candied fruits, however, show effectiveness only in small doses, since due to the presence of sugar in them, they are considered high-calorie and rich in carbohydrates. Candied fruits contain three times more calories than fresh ginger. So for those who are struggling with excess weight, it is still better to opt for a fresh plant, without additional impurities.

In the end, let's add that ginger has long been known as an effective aphrodisiac, which significantly increases the libido of both women and men.

Contraindications

It is important to remember the benefits and harms of candied ginger. Unfortunately, this tool is not considered safe for everyone. There is a category of patients for whom it is contraindicated, as it can cause real harm. The fact is that the ginger root itself is a plant that is very rich in composition. Therefore, its reception, even in the form of candied fruits, can not always be considered absolutely safe. Like everything in this world, there are contraindications for candied ginger.

First of all, caution should be shown to patients with diabetes. In this case, patients are prohibited from candied fruits in any form, including those prepared on the basis of ginger, since they contain a large amount of sugar in their composition. This is one of the main components that you cannot do without (how to make candied fruits from ginger will be described in the article). Therefore, in diabetes mellitus, this remedy is categorically contraindicated.

Also, candied ginger will harm with duodenal ulcer and stomach ulcer. The fact is that some of the components that make up this delicacy can greatly irritate the mucous membrane. As a result, inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract increase significantly.

Moreover, ginger is not recommended for severe kidney and liver diseases, especially for urolithiasis or cholelithiasis. Its stimulating effect can provokemovement of stones, which in itself is a very painful process. In addition, there is a possibility of stones getting stuck, which can lead to surgery. It is worth recognizing that the effect that candied fruits have is much weaker than that of a fresh plant, but it is still very strong. Therefore, it is better to refrain from this remedy in the presence of this ailment.

Also, ginger is contraindicated in bleeding of any kind, as it can significantly worsen the patient's condition. You can not take it and at elevated body temperature.

It should be borne in mind that ginger has the ability to significantly enhance the effect of almost all drugs with which it is used in parallel. You should be especially careful when taking medications for arrhythmia, high blood pressure, blood thinners, and drugs that lower blood sugar levels.

We emphasize once again that ginger itself is very effective in the fight against excess weight. But taking candied fruits based on it, in order to get rid of extra pounds, is still considered inappropriate. 100 grams of the product contains 216 kcal, which is a very high indicator, especially for those who are trying to lose weight. Of course, candied fruits contain gingerol, which contributes to the burning of calories, but still you should not abuse this product, as this can lead to the opposite effect. As a result, you may not lose weight, but, on the contrary, get better.

It is also always worth remembering the individual intolerance of theginger and individual components that make up this product. Due to the fact that ginger is a potent plant containing many different substances, it is possible to provoke a powerful allergic reaction. Therefore, it is recommended to use it with extreme caution.

Preparing for cooking

You can easily make candied ginger at home. There are many ways to do this, but first you need to decide how to choose the right plant that will be the most effective.

When preparing candied ginger at home, you should take only a fresh root with a light and always smooth skin. The fact is that from the old root you will get too sharp candied fruits, and from the young one - not hot enough, and therefore not effective.

When preparing a plant, you must always remember that most of the nutrients are concentrated directly under the skin, so it should be peeled off very carefully, in a thin layer, after washing it. For example, some do not even use a knife or a vegetable cutter for this, but an ordinary teaspoon, simply scraping off the skin. To make peeling ginger even more convenient, you can break the root into several small pieces, so the work will go even faster.

After the ginger is peeled, it is crushed, cut into long strips or rings. In this case, the thickness of the cut depends on how sharp you want to get the final product. Candied ginger, at homethose made from thin slices will taste less spicy than those made from sticks or cubes.

To get rid of excess bitterness, it is recommended to soak the ginger. This method is recommended in many candied ginger recipes. To do this, the workpiece must be filled with ice water, leaving it in this form for three days. Water should be changed every twelve hours.

Classic

To prepare candied ginger at home according to a recipe that is recognized as a classic, you will need 300 g of granulated sugar and ginger root, quite a bit of clean drinking water.

Peel the skin off the ginger and cut into thin slices. Then boil it in water for 30-40 minutes so that it loses its too strong pungency and becomes softer. After that, it is recommended to dry it a little and cool it.

While the ginger dries, prepare the sugar syrup. To do this, in three glasses of water, you need to boil the sugar until it is completely dissolved. In the resulting syrup, put pieces of ginger, boiling it over low heat until all the moisture is completely evaporated. The ginger should become slightly translucent. During this process, it is important to ensure that your future candied fruits do not burn. You can avoid this by stirring them regularly.

After the ginger boiled in syrup, place on a baking sheet sprinkled with sugar and covered with parchment. Sprinkle sugar on top again. In total, it will take you about two-thirds of a glass. Now put it in the oven at40 degrees for about half an hour. In principle, you can do without the oven, leaving the candied fruit to dry at room temperature. But in this case, it will take much longer to cook (about a day).

Ready-made candied ginger is poured into a jar with a tight lid or wrapped in cellophane. In this form, they can be stored for three to four months. This is the classic way to make candied ginger at home.

It is interesting that they are used not only as a traditional medicine, but also actively used in cooking. It is a common ingredient in the preparation of marmalade, marmalade, jam and many other sweets. With the help of candied fruits, you can improve the useful and gustatory properties of these sweets. They also contribute to the processes of natural conservation. The fact is that ginger itself is an excellent preservative, and it does not matter in what form it is - candied or fresh.

Candied ginger is added to all kinds of pastries. In this case, the aroma becomes spicy, and the taste itself becomes more saturated. For example, they are used in traditional Russian gingerbread, which is why they are called ginger.

Candied ginger is a familiar ingredient for many in the preparation of compotes. They are also used to make some alcoholic drinks, primarily liqueurs.

Many people prefer to replace candy with candied ginger. It is not only tasty, but also much he althier. It is recommended to drink tea with them in the cold season as a prevention of viral and colds. At the same time, candied fruits canput directly into the cup. Pieces of ginger will help you warm up, make you more energetic, and help strengthen your immune system.

Moreover, the syrup that remains after the preparation of candied fruits, you can also add to tea. In this case, it will acquire a surprisingly pleasant aroma and persistent aftertaste.

Citric acid cooking method

For this option, you will need to take 200-250 g of chopped ginger root, which is poured with two glasses of boiling water, and then boiled over low heat for an hour. This is required so that all excess bitterness is partially boiled away. If you plan to use these candied fruits as a regular dessert, and not as a medicine, then it is advised to change the water several times. So there will be practically no unpleasant bitterness left.

Now you should make the syrup. To do this, take half a glass of water and 200 g of sugar. Pre-boiled and then thoroughly dried ginger (this is best done on a sieve) is placed in a saucepan with syrup, in which it is boiled until the syrup thickens completely and the pieces of the plant itself become transparent. This will indicate that the ginger is completely saturated with sugar, which is very important for us.

Next, in a flat plate, mix a quarter of a spoon of citric acid with two tablespoons of granulated sugar. Using kitchen tongs or the most ordinary fork, put the pieces of ginger into the prepared mixture, carefully rolling it on all sides. This is a simple recipe for candied ginger,which even a novice hostess can implement.

Recipe for candied fruits boiled with s alt

This is a very unusual way to make candied ginger. In this case, you will need two large ginger roots, one teaspoon of s alt and 250 g of sugar.

Ginger is cut into thin slices no more than five millimeters thick. It is poured with water so that the liquid completely covers the cut by about two centimeters. In the same bowl, add a quarter teaspoon of s alt. In this solution, ginger should be boiled for 30 minutes.

After that, the liquid must be drained, and the ginger should be poured with fresh water with exactly the same amount of s alt. Now boil for 20 minutes. Repeat the procedure with changing the s alt water and simmering for 20 minutes two more times.

After boiling in s alt water in this recipe for candied ginger at home, it is recommended to cover the main ingredient with all the cooked sugar and pour one liter of cold water. The root should be boiled over low heat for an hour and a half. In this case, the pan should not be covered with a lid.

Sprinkle the finished slices with sugar on all sides and dry until tender. Here is an original recipe to help you make candied ginger.

Dryer option

This dish can be dried at room temperature, in the oven or using an electric dryer. This is an efficient and effective way to make candied ginger.

In this case, we need the followingcomponents:

• 800 g peeled fresh ginger;
• 400g granulated sugar;
• 1 liter of clean drinking water;
• 150-200 g of sugar for sprinkling.

Ginger tubers are peeled. Expect that from one kilogram of tubers you will just get about 800 g of fresh ginger. We cut it into thin plates, if desired, you can use a special grater.

Put the ginger in a saucepan and pour in the sugar. Pour everything with water and wait until the syrup boils. Water should be poured so much that it completely covers the root. The main thing here is not to overdo it, as there should not be too much liquid.

When the syrup boils, the fire should be reduced, then cook the ginger until tender. All the water should boil away so that you have a thick and caramelized syrup at the bottom of the pan. In this case, the strips of ginger will become transparent and shiny in appearance. This means that you are doing everything right, and figured out how to make candied ginger.

Put the pieces of ginger on a sieve, allowing the syrup to drain into a specially prepared bowl. Pour granulated sugar into a plate, put the plates on it. Thoroughly roll each in sugar, and then send it to the electric dryer pallets. Turn on high mode. It takes about 5 hours to cook candied ginger in the dryer. After turning off the appliance, it is recommended to leave the ginger on the trays until it is completely dry.

Candy-like candied fruits

If you cook candied fruits according to this recipe, you will get not only an effective medicine, but also a reala delicacy that many sweet tooth can envy. Such candied fruits as a result are similar to real sweets. This effect is achieved through prolonged soaking and boiling, during which they lose most of their unpleasant pungency.

You should start by soaking ginger slices in water for three days. During this time, the water should be changed three to four times. Soaked ginger is poured with water, and then boiled for another 20 minutes over medium heat. After that, the water is drained, replacing it with clean water. The root is boiled for another 20 minutes. The same procedure should be repeated a third time.

After cooking, place the pieces of ginger in a colander, waiting until the liquid has completely drained. Now it is recommended to weigh the ginger mass to determine the required amount of sugar. The ratio of cooked ginger and granulated sugar should be one to one. In this case, water should be taken in the amount of half the amount of sugar used. Next, the syrup is brewed from water and sugar.

Prepared pieces of ginger are cooked in a sweet mass for 20 minutes, and then left in a saucepan for eight to ten hours until they cool completely. Then the ginger is boiled again for 20 minutes, cooled again. In total, this procedure should be repeated three times. The slices boiled in syrup are carefully sprinkled with sugar and dried.

By the way, there are many ways to dry candied fruits. For example, they can be laid out on a baking sheet covered with special baking paper, or you can build a structure that will consist of a baking sheet andgrid placed above it. Candied slices are placed on the grate, drying them at room temperature.

If you decide to dry candied fruits in the oven, the recommended temperature should be 60-70 degrees. In this case, it is recommended to leave the door slightly ajar. Insert a kitchen towel, a box of matches, or an oven mitt into the remaining opening.

When using an electric dryer in most recipes, it is recommended to set the temperature at 50-60 degrees, and change the grates every one and a half to two hours.

Cooking without sugar

Few people know that you can cook candied ginger without sugar. This recipe will be especially relevant for diabetics, for whom this ingredient is strictly contraindicated. In this case, it is advised to take 100 g of ginger, five tablespoons of water for making syrup and 15 measuring spoons of "FitParad" - a common sweetener.

Ginger clean, removing a thin layer of peel from it. Cut the roots into thin slices. Please note: if you come across old ginger, which has coarse fibers, this should not bother you. In ready-made candied fruits, they will become tender and pleasant in taste, this unpleasant feature will be eliminated. "Hairiness" will not affect the taste of your dessert in any way, only the appearance.

Cook ginger slices in ordinary water for no more than half an hour. As a rule, this time is enough to remove excessive sharpness. The main thing is to completely fill all the sliced \u200b\u200bplates with water for a couple of centimeters.

After that, the broth is drained. And you don't have to get rid of it. Store it in a jar and refrigerate. It can be added to tea, which will diversify the drink. It, like ginger, will promote weight loss and strengthen immunity. Pour exactly five tablespoons of water into the pan with ginger, add FitParad. After that, under a closed lid, cook on a minimum heat for about half an hour. As a result, the liquid should completely evaporate.

If desired, you can add a tablespoon of lemon juice and a little lemon peel, which will give the candied fruit an unusual sourness. To do this, it is better to prepare the crusts in advance: boil for five minutes the day before in syrup, then leave for several hours, and then boil a little more. In general, proceed as with ordinary candied fruits, which are obtained from the peel of citrus fruits.

It is recommended to dry such candied ginger in the oven at the lowest temperature or in a silicone mold. As a result, even without sugar, you will get sweet, tart, spicy and fragrant candied fruits, which will have a pleasant sourness if you add lemon to them. They can be enjoyed as a snack for tea, or you can use them in baking.