Ginger is a spice obtained from 10-month old roots of a perennial
tropical plant original to Asia. Ginger is well known for its warming
and carminative properties and is widely used in Ayurveda. The herb is
also a popular flavoring in many Indian, Chinese and Malaysian cuisines.
As a member of the Zingiberaceae family, ginger is related to
cardamom
and
turmeric. These spices are frequently used together in traditional
Asian dishes, most notably in masala spice mixes, tandoori seasoning
blends and curries.