Dry Ginger – सोंठ

Dry Ginger – सोंठ

Dry Ginger powder is also known as (Sonth/Soonth/Saunth) in Hindi, ‘Sonti’ in Telugu, (Chukku or Sukku) in Tamil, ‘Chukku’ in Malayalam, ‘Shunti’ in Kannada, ‘Sonth’ in Bengali, ‘Soonth’ in Gujarati and ‘Suntha’ in Marathi. This comes from fresh ginger that is dried before being used. It is a fine off-white powder that has a strong aroma and pungent flavour. This is mostly easy to store and has a long shelf life of a year.

Dried ginger is a versatile spice with a warm, pungent flavor. It’s used in many cuisines, particularly in Indian, Asian, and Caribbean cooking.

What it is:

• Dehydrated rhizome: Dried ginger is made from the rhizome (underground stem) of the ginger plant (Zingiber officinale). Fresh ginger is allowed to mature, then harvested, peeled, and dried, either in the sun or artificially.
• Different forms: It’s available as whole dried rhizomes, sliced, powdered, or crystallized.

Flavor Profile:

• Pungent and warm: Dried ginger has a more intense and concentrated flavor than fresh ginger. It’s spicy, warm, and slightly sweet.
• Earthy: It has an earthy undertone.
• Less juicy: Unlike fresh ginger, it lacks the juiciness and bright, citrusy notes.

Uses in Cooking:

• Flavoring: Dried ginger is used to add warmth and spice to a wide range of dishes:
  • Spice blends: It’s a key ingredient in many spice blends, including curry powders, garam masala, and gingerbread spice.
  • Baked goods: Dried ginger is used in cookies, cakes, and breads, especially gingerbread.
  • Beverages: It’s used to make ginger tea and other spiced drinks.
  • Savory dishes: It adds depth to stews, soups, sauces, and marinades.
  • Confectionery: Crystallized ginger is a sweet treat.

Forms of Dried Ginger:

• Whole Dried Rhizome: These can be used whole in infusions or ground into powder.
• Sliced Dried Ginger: These are easier to grind or use in infusions.
• Ground Ginger: This is the most common form for baking and cooking.
• Crystallized Ginger: Ginger pieces candied in sugar syrup and then coated in sugar.

Potential Health Considerations:

Ginger, both fresh and dried, has been used traditionally and may offer some health benefits:

• Digestive aid: It may help relieve nausea and indigestion.
• Anti-inflammatory: Ginger contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties.
• Pain relief: It may help reduce pain.

Where it’s grown:

Ginger is grown in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including India, China, Nigeria, Indonesia, Nepal & Thailand

Important Notes:

• Potency: Dried ginger is more potent than fresh ginger, so use it sparingly. A general guideline is to substitute 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ground dried ginger for every tablespoon of fresh ginger.
• Storage: Store dried ginger in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place to maintain its flavor.

Dried ginger is a versatile spice that adds a warm, spicy, and slightly sweet dimension to many dishes.

We’ve used images to give you an idea of what to expect. Feel free to call us at 8590303380 if you’d like more details.