Crystallized ginger (sometimes known as candy ginger) is ideal for a spicy snack, a unique cup of tea, or an ingredient in your cooking.

What is Crystallized Ginger?

Crystallized ginger is made of gingerroot that has been cooked until softened, and then lightly coated in sugar. Our candied ginger is pungent with a spicy-sweet flavor and is moist and chewy. It is embraced as a natural remedy for reducing hot flashes - huge numbers of women swear by it. Crystallized ginger helps alleviate indigestion and colds…and don’t forget to take it with you on boat trips for sea sickness! (Some of us here know from experience that candied ginger is an absolutely essential part of your travel kit…)

Interestingly, ginger itself is as old as the recorded history of man. A native to southern Asia and India, it is spoken of in the Jewish Talmud, written about by Marco Polo, and even recommended by Henry VIII as a remedy against the plague.

3 Surprising Health Benefits of Crystallized Ginger

1) Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Crystallized ginger can reduce inflammation and relieve the pain associated with it. A 2012 study published in the journal Arthritis compared the anti-inflammatory effect of ginger extract to that of common drugs used in the treatment of arthritis, such as cortisone and ibuprofen. The researchers observed that ginger extract was as effective as cortisone at relieving arthritic pain, and that ginger can treat inflammation without the negative side effects associated with the common drugs.

2) Treatment for Nausea: Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy to alleviate nausea caused by motion sickness, morning sickness, and chemotherapy. A study funded by the National Cancer Institute examined over 600 people who had experienced nausea after a chemotherapy treatment. Those patients who received ginger supplements throughout the rest of their treatments experienced a 40 percent reduction in nausea symptoms.

3) Immunity-Booster: During flu season, make sure you have candy ginger on hand! Ginger contains active compounds that can relieve sinuses and protect the body against toxins and viruses. A 2008 article published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine discussed ginger’s ability to activate T-cells, a group of white blood cells that help destroy viruses and tumor cells.

Crystallized Ginger Uses

Crystallized ginger is a versatile snack that you can enjoy on its own or paired with other foods. Chop our candied ginger into small pieces and add it to baked goods like cookies, breads, and cakes for a kick of sweet spice. For a quick ginger tea, steep a piece of our crystallized ginger in a hot cup of water. An aromatic ginger tea will await you in a matter of minutes. Candied ginger also adds zest to stir-frys and other savory dishes. Get creative with it!

Our Registered Dietitian’s Top Pick

Our Registered Dietitian and Health Nut likes to add crystallized ginger to stir fries (throw in some cashews, too!). Also, keep a bag of this on hand to boost immunity and to eliminate nausea!

Health Tips

Ginger root (Zingiber officinale) has also been classified as an aid to quit smoking. It has a soothing effect on the lining of the mucous membranes and helps prevent nausea.