Ginger has robust anti-inflammatory abilities which may help in the treatment of conditions such as osteoarthritis and heart disease. Ginger also has a calming effect on the stomach, is believed to lower "bad" cholesterol levels, enhances brain function and can help stabilize blood sugars. And that's just for starters. With all that in mind, it makes sense to find ways to incorporate ginger into the things we eat and drink. In this post, the team behind Sparkling CBD Soda look at ten ways you can use ginger in the kitchen. Let’s get right into it.
1: Add ginger to your favorite tea
Even if you are not a fan of ginger tea you can still enjoy the benefits of ginger by sprinkling a bit into your tea of choice. The easiest way to do so is to shave some into your tea while it’s steeping using a grater. To take the edge off just squeeze some fresh lemon juice in as well. A great idea when you’re feeling a bit under the weather.
2: Make your own ginger tea
Let’s say you are a fan of ginger tea but you also like to do things your own way in the kitchen. No problem. Peel and slice the equivalent of 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger then add them to a pot with 4 cups of water. Bring it to a boil for 10 minutes (20 minutes for stronger tea), strain the result, add honey and fresh lime juice and, viola! Your own ginger tea.
3: Add it to your stir-fry
If you really want to spice up your stir-fry dishes (literally) try adding a couple of teaspoons of ginger to your normal stir-fry recipe. Whether you are making a meat-based stir-fry or a completely vegan dish a little bit of ginger will add a distinctive flavor and aid in digestion.
4: Add it to your chicken soup
If you are not feeling well and plan to whip up some chicken soup to treat what ails you, take that traditional dish to a whole new level by adding some ginger to the broth. The ginger will add a tangy touch to the taste, while the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger will help reduce aches and pains and put you on the road to recovery.
5: Use it as a seafood marinade
A lot of folks are not aware that ginger and fish go great together. If you’ve never considered combining the 2 it’s easy to create a tasty ginger marinade. Just combine honey, soy sauce, ginger and sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until it comes to a boil, let it cool, then pour it into a ceramic dish and add your fish of choice. Cover the concoction and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Then remove and grill.
Spicing up Your Cold Beverages with Ginger
Above we looked at how to brew your own ginger tea and use ginger to enhance warm foods and beverages. Ginger can also also adds a healthy and refreshing aspect to cold drinks, including one or two made with CBD Sparkling Soda, as we’re about to see now…
6: Add it to sangria
Sangria is a summertime favorite that can be enjoyed with a multitude of dishes. If you are into making your own sangria and want to brew some that will raise the eyebrows and tickle the tastebuds of your guests at your next BBQ, try adding a couple of tablespoons of thinly sliced ginger to the mix. Remember you can adjust the potency of your sangria by adding CBD beverages like our Sparkling Water.
7: Try a ginger champagne cocktail
Those who enjoy it most don’t think of champagne as needing any kind of embellishment. But that’s because they’ve never tried embellishing it with ginger! One way to do so that’s bound to bring the happy feels on New Year's Eve is to mix minced ginger and sugar in a saucer, then moisten the rims of champagne flutes with a lemon wedge and dip the rim into the ginger/sugar mixture. Don’t forget to drop a tiny bit of minced ginger into the bottom of the flute before pouring in the champagne.
8: Add it to a ginger ale cocktail
Next time you're making ginger ale cocktails using high-quality CBD Sparkling Soda take things a step further by adding some minced ginger to the mix. You'll find just a wee bit of fresh ginger makes your Tequila and Ginger Ale, Rum and Ginger Ale, Whiskey Ginger or Pimm's Cup really pop.
9: Add ginger to your simple syrup
Amateur mixologists the world over love making their own simple syrup to sweeten their cocktails, lemonade, iced tea and other assorted cold drinks. But if you really want your cocktails to stand head and shoulders above the rest add some ginger and marvel at the results.
10: Add ginger to a smoothie
There are as many kinds of smoothies as there are people who enjoy smoothies. But we’re willing to bet that you have never enjoyed a ginger-enhanced smoothie. It doesn’t have to be the main ingredient. In fact, that might be overwhelming. But adding just a smidgen of fresh ginger to your smoothie of choice will help balance any fruity flavors.
The Bottom Line
Sparkling CBD Ginger Ale and other CBD drinks and CBD beverages are great all by themselves or when mixed into your favorite cocktail or mocktail. But there’s something to be said too for finding creative ways to use fresh ginger in your culinary creations.