Ginger
 
Ginger is a fresh, dried or powdered rhizome of a slender, perennial herb. Being one of the earliest Oriental spices known in Europe, it has been cultivated in India both as a fresh vegetable and marketed as a dried spice since time immemorial. It has a characteristic taste, flavor and texture.

In India, ginger is grown all over, but the finest quality ginger is grown in Kerala. Indian dry ginger is known in the world market as 'Cochin Ginger' (NUGC) and 'Calicut Ginger' (NUGK). Ginger comes in variety of forms such as garbled or ungarbled, bleached or unbleached and powder forms. Young ginger roots have juicy and fleshy mild taste. They are used in pickles, vinegars, ginger tea, seafood, mutton, candy, cookies, cake, and non-alcoholic beverage.

Medicinally, ginger is used in the treatment for nausea. It is used as "stomach settler" for generations in many countries. It is a powerful antioxidant and is used to relieve headache and inflammation.