Sushi ginger always seems like a condiment that people don’t really use in America.
I was watching how sushi was eaten traditionally and got curious what’s the difference between pickled ginger vs sushi ginger.
Pickled Ginger VS Sushi Ginger
Firstly, ginger or Gari as it is called in Japan is made from thinly sliced pieces of ginger. Which has undergone a marination process that consists of sugar and vinegar.
And it is after their marination that Gari is served and eaten in restaurants. So there’s no difference between sushi ginger and pickled ginger.
Although they may seem different, looking upon the contrasting colors. But the pink color of the ginger is due to the young age of the ginger roots after enhancement by pickling.
During the marination, the salt and acids naturally turn ginger pink in 2–3 minutes. However, this is when the pink tint turns to the familiar yellow hue in restaurants after a few months as it gets exposed to oxidation and heat.
Generally, the many ginger products that you see in markets are not actually natural. Instead the commercial company uses food coloring and beet juice to give it that lovely pink color.
Since by the time they are sold, the sushi ginger has already become too mature for the pink tinting process to occur.
Why Only Young Ginger is Used for Sushi?
Although the two may seem similar they are actually for different purposes in the kitchen. Since the young sushi gingers are easier to peel, have thinner skin, and are more tender.
However ginger that has matured is no longer so easier to slice. Because it will grow more tough and along with more thicker skin. So less tender and more veiny.
Thus the younger ginger’s flesh is more juicy and contains more acidic spiciness to add to seafood. Additionally it is also easier for the diner to eat as a palate cleanser for neutralizing the texture for a more distinct taste.
Sushi Ginger Storage
Refrigeration
Now in order to keep the ginger in their best shape they must be stored in the right way. But if the ginger is in the fridge for too long it will become more rubbery.
However, it will be fine when you’re cooking it with heat. Hence the best temperature to store your ginger is between 2–7 celsius or 34–45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, the younger ginger will eventually turn hard during the refrigeration process. So you’ll need to pick off the tougher layers before cooking.
Prolonging Sushi Ginger
Besides storing the gingers in those temperatures, another thing that is important is their packaging.
What do I mean?
Food can quickly mold and grow in bacteria in room temperature and contact with air, and this is true for ginger as well.
Hence you’ll need to pack the ginger in a way that wraps them properly from such exposure in the fridge. Whether that’s with a bag or paper towel before handling it into the freezer.
Nonetheless, another great storage method is mincing the gingers into tiny pieces before placing them inside an air-sealed container.
Tips for Keeping Ginger Fresh
Since ginger that is already peeled or sliced will allow oxidation, the only possibility to prolong is through freezing.
Which helps the ginger last as long as 3 weeks. But as to fresh pickled ginger, they will last for around 5–6 months.
Does Pickled Ginger Go Bad?
Firstly the best way to delay pickled sushi ginger going spoiled is through refrigeration. But what ways to prevent it from going bad?
For fresh ginger that comes in as root plants, there’s no expiration date. And the date is different depending on if it chopped, in as a paste, or pickled.
Generally if it is not sealed in your pantry, fresh ginger root will last for up to 1–2 week. But it will go for 1 month in the fridge and 3–6 months in the freezer.
Beyond that, sushi ginger doesn’t go bad because of contamination. Since most of the time it is due to the process of oxidation that will cause it to lose quietly through bacterial growth.
Furthermore, for fresh slices of ginger they can’t really last long in room temperature before expiring.
Also some common signs that you need to be aware of is when it becomes more softened and moist. Another point is when the end becomes very moldy and black.
Does Ginger Paste Go Bad
Similarly, ginger paste can last up to a month in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer. But you need to be careful if the the paste has already gone way past its “Best Used By” date.
So if you want to keep it in peace quality from development of odor or appearance change make sure it is kept continuously in refrigeration after opening.
Besides simply focusing on the expiration date, take precautionary measures by smelling before tasting the paste.
Health Benefits & Effects of Sushi Ginger
First of all Ginger or Zingiber officinale has been part of Chinese traditional medicine for thousands of years. Besides it also contains many healthy benefits beyond its usage as a palate cleaner for sushi.
Subsequently sushi ginger is a great probiotic that helps for intestinal balance and your digestion. which is great for gastrointestinal function and improves healthy immunity.
Also according to this source, ginger can reduce inflammation and pains from arthritis. Which is done by the body releasing more white blood cells to help clear out bacteria.
Additionally, this source points that ginger intake will significantly reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients by a factor of 30% compared to the placebo.
Moreover ginger in small doses can relieve signs of stomach irritation and thus aid in relieving symptoms of acid reflux. Which heals GERD due to the anti-inflammatory tonic in ginger.
Aspartame In Pickled Ginger
Following another factor you must watch out for in sushi ginger is something called “aspartame”.
Aspartame is a type of low-calorie sweetener commonly used in food which has been linked to cancer in rats. Following, it is also the replacement for HFCS in diet sodas.
Also Aspartame causes serotonin and dopamine inhibition in the brain. Hence creating tension and migraine headaches in individuals. Later it is oxidized into formaldehyde, which will do huge harm to the lining of your nose and throat.
So if you look closely you will find that this product not only contains aspartame but another dangerous chemical: Potassium Sorbate.
Although it is regarded as safe and non-toxic, further prolonged usage of food with Potassium Sorbate will cause allergies.
Sushi Ginger on Cancer
Firstly pickled ginger besides cleaning the palate from food, and aiding digestive health, it also relieves effects of cancer.
Furthermore, it has been found that the development of pancreatic, liver, lung, and skin cancers are slowed down by ginger.
Additionally, it has been found that Ginger can kill cancer cells and stops them from creating cancer treatment resistance.
And from this source it shows that ginger contains a compound that is 10,000 times more effective than chemotherapy for targeting breast cancer cells.
Moreover this is all caused by a compound in ginger called 6-shagoal. Which can induce cancer cell death and thus affect the cell cycle.
Is Sushi Ginger Gluten Free?
It’s hard to find wholesome foods that restrict gluten due to dietary needs. Although most ginger products are gluten free, not all products are safely non-gluten.
Because there are many ways it can be sneaked into the process. Also this can depend on the company, some ginger products contain gluten. So it’s best that you look carefully at the product label to ensure that it is safe before buying.
Is Sushi Ginger Keto Friendly?
Firstly 100 grams of fresh ginger contains about 18 grams of carbs or 0.4 grams of carbs in 1 tablespoon. But sushi ginger is keto friendly, because you will need very little ginger to spice up your food.
Furthermore 750–1000 grams of fresh ginger is a great remedy to the problems caused by carb withdrawal, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness.
Moreover it can aid in weight loss and promote satiety. Because ginger can increase the amount of calories which you burn through thermogenesis.
However, you must be careful when you eat out in restaurants. Since most restaurants in American don’t use authentic ginger. Instead they use artificial sweeteners which can add some sugar into the process.
Where to Buy Sushi Ginger
Firstly as I was researching for this article I never knew there were just so many products that can be so harmful to the user.
Sushi ginger can be easily brought in your nearest grocery store and is a very common product. But not all products you find there may hint at being great for your health.
Furthermore, most products although stating the great ingredients are afraid to show it on the label with the exact ingredients. Moreover, I notice how most of the ginger are food colored.
But one sushi ginger product that I would definitely recommend is The Ginger People Organic Pickled Sushi Ginger(note:affiliate link).
First of all, it really stands out from the other ginger products for its all natural ingredients and being totally gluten free.
Comparatively it uses the healthiest ingredients that contain neither Potassium Sorbate nor Aspartame. Which other products sport their ginger.
Meanwhile although hard to find in groceries, make sure that the product doesn’t contain any food coloring, aspartame, nor Potassium Sorbate.
