description
Alpinia galangal is a member of the Zingiberaceae, or ginger, family. This
plant grows from rhizomes in clumps of stiff stalks up to two meters in
height with abundant long leaves which bears red fruit. The robust rhizome
has a sharp, sweet taste and smells like a blend of black pepper and pine
needles. It is a perennial herb, between one and two meters in height,
depending on variety. The leaves are 25-35 cm long, rather narrow blades.
The flowers are borne at the top of the plant and are small, white and
streaked with deep-red veining. The rhizome resembles ginger in shape but it
is much smaller. Some varieties have a dark reddish-brown skin and the
interior is nearly white. The rhizomes are tough and difficult to break.
common names & nomenclature
The name Galangal is derived from the Arabic Khalanjan, perhaps a distortion
of a Chinese word meaning "mild ginger".
Also known as:
greater galangal, thai galangal, blue ginger, thai ginger, laos, lengkuas, galanga root, languas galangal, kanghu, pa de kaw, galingale, kha
