Yes, it is along with a lot of potential health benefits.
Being a ginger family member, Curcuma Ginger is also known as Zingiberaceae Curcuma. It is basically used as an Asian culinary spice majorly grown in the Southeast part of this continent.
However, there are some common confusions regarding this perennial plant of the ginger family. Some find it as a healthy herb while others find it harmful.
But why so? If it’s edible, then why? Are there any side effects of consuming Curcuma? Let’s find out!
What Is Curcuma Ginger?
Similar to regular ginger, Curcuma Ginger is a rhizome with yellowish skin.
They are basically native to Southeast Asia, the southern part of China, and throughout the Indian subcontinent. From their herbaceous plants, numerous brown rhizomes are emitted and used as a type of culinary spice mostly in Asia.
With its distinct flavor profile and unique aroma, Curcuma has gained immense popularity in recent years to spice up the culinary game.
Is Curcuma Ginger a Turmeric?
No. They are different plants.
Despite coming from the same ginger family, Curcuma ginger is not the same as turmeric.
In fact, turmeric and Curcuma Ginger come from the same Zingiberaceae family. That’s why they share notable similarities in their appearances.
Plus, both are rhizomes produced by their respective herbaceous plants.
You see, the origins of plants are different. So, they both are not the same in terms of flavors, aroma, and purposes.
What Type of Ginger Is Edible?
If you ask, which gingers are edible?– here we go with the varieties:
Butterfly Ginger: Having edible roots and blooms, this primarily belongs to the ornamental category but still remains safe to eat.
Shell Ginger: In many parts of the world, the leaves of this ginger are used to make a tasty and aromatic tea.
Shampoo Ginger: Another type of ginger is known as Shampoo with edible roots. Unfortunately, it tastes terribly bitter.
Cardamom Ginger: Its leaves are mostly used like bay or cumin in Florida.
Common Ginger: Being pretty similar to turmeric in appearance, these gingers are edible in all parts.
Torch Ginger: In many Southeast Asian recipes, torch ginger is used in the form of unopened flower buds to make the food taste better.
Is Curcuma Ginger Edible?
Yes, it is. You can use the rhizomes in preparing several dishes by grating, slicing, or grounding them.
As we already discussed, Curcuma Ginger is mainly used in the Southeast Asian part of the world, primarily as a spice. It adds both color and flavor to curries and other dishes.
Here are the ways you can use this flavorful herb to make your food more palatable-
- Use it in powder form to spice up marinades, dressings, and sauces.
- Blend Curcuma Ginger and use it with smoothies, juices, etc. to have a health benefit.
- Grate the rhizomes and add the slices to soups, curries, meats, and stews.
What Is Curcuma Ginger Used for?
Curcuma Ginger is mostly used in dishes to make them more flavorful. Alongside, it has numerous medicative properties to give you a notable health boost.
What Are the Benefits of Curcuma Ginger?
The key benefits of consuming Curcuma Ginger are as follows-
- Curcuma Ginger has significant antioxidants and it helps keep your body safe from oxidative stresses. Resultantly, the chances of chronic diseases are reduced to a great extent.
- Do you suffer from excessive inflammation? The anti-inflammatory curcumin in Curcuma Ginger helps reduce it. Besides, it also enhances the chance of symptom alleviation.
- Needless to say, Curcuma Ginger works great against any digestion issues like bloating or indigestion.
- Being full of vitamins and minerals, these rhizomes support your Immune system to be stronger. Resultantly, your body can fight better any infections or diseases.
What Are the Differences Between Regular Ginger and Curcuma?
The major differences between regular and Curcuma gingers are in flavor and color.
Usually, the ginger we regularly use has a pale yellow/ beige color.
Contrarily, Curcuma Ginger is yellowish-orange.
Talking about the flavor, Curcuma Ginger is a bit bitter compared to the regular one. Also, it delivers a more earthy flavor to your dish.
However, regular ginger is slightly spicier and peppery than Curcuma.
When you add Curcuma to a recipe, it delivers a distinct color profile for sure.
Talking about the Curcuma ginger benefits, it is healthier than regular ginger, thanks to the higher level of curcumin.
What Color Is Curcuma Ginger?
Opposed to regular ginger, Curcuma Ginger rhizomes are more vibrant in color with a yellowish-orange tone.
But if we are talking about a Curcuma Ginger plant, it could be of different colors based on the species.
Is Hidden Ginger Edible?
Hidden ginger is associated with the Curcuma genus as a whole and some of the species are known to be edible. Not all the hidden gingers are safe to eat.
Point to be noted, common gingers are mostly safe to eat and known as culinary gingers.
And you can eat their leaves and shoots as well alongside rhizomes. Just chop them finely and use them to decorate dishes as seasonings.
Although they offer a less pungent flavor than rhizomes.
Are Curcuma Flowers Edible?
No. Only the rhizomes are known to be edible, and that too with different dishes. Curcuma Ginger flower is not toxic but not edible either.
Final Words
Though Curcuma Ginger is edible, you might feel mild digestive discomfort if not consumed moderately. Also, if you are allergic to ginger, it’s better to avoid it.
But in general, it’s completely safe to eat. Best of all, Curcuma Ginger provides countless health benefits such as reducing inflammation, improving the immune system, aiding digestion, and so on.
And guess what, you can even use it as a substitute for regular ginger in some cuisines. The taste may vary though. So, be aware of that.