October 11, 2022, 9:21 am | Read time: 3 minutes
If you want to ward off a cold, fresh ginger tea is just the thing to do–but you might still be making a small mistake. And that could affect the effectiveness of the amazing root! In the video, FITBOOK shows how to peel and cut ginger–and which preparation trick makes ginger tea even healthier.
It’s not just its spicy-hot taste that makes ginger a popular kitchen ingredient. It contains valuable essential oils as well as plenty of minerals and trace elements that can strengthen the immune system. That’s why ginger tea is a popular home remedy when a cold is coming on: simply peel fresh ginger, slice it, pour hot water over it, let it steep for a bit, and drink–it’s that simple. But even at this point, you might not be doing everything right.
Overview
Common Mistake: Too Large Ginger Pieces
As Uwe Knop, a nutritionist from Eschborn explains, ginger primarily offers two active substances: “its essential oils and pungent compounds (Editor’s note: Gingerol and Shogaol).” These can infuse into the tea when the ginger is cut. Therefore, it’s a very common mistake to put too large ginger pieces in the cup. “The rule is: The more cut surface, the more ‘ginger flavor’ can develop. And that’s where the valuable pungent compounds are hidden. So it’s best to brew as many thin slices as possible and let it steep well.”
Note: When chopping, the essential oils evaporate–so it’s important to always process the root à la minute. In plain terms: Always cut ginger as fresh as possible for tea preparation and use it immediately!
Also interesting: How to cleverly use ginger and turmeric in cooking
Scientifically proven effects of ginger tea
Don’t Throw Them Away: 3 Recipes Using Banana Peels
Peeling Ginger for Tea, or Not?
Various media swear by the importance of the peel. Allegedly, that’s where the important vitamins and such are found. Nutrition expert Knop has also encountered this claim–but can only chuckle at it. “The myth that ‘the best is right under the peel’ for all sorts of fruits and vegetables is hard to kill.”
For some foods, it might be that the peels contain “maybe a bit more of some vitamins,” such as with apples. However, with ginger, the valuable ingredients are distributed throughout the entire rootstock. “Whether it’s peeled before preparation or not, it doesn’t matter.”
If you decide to peel: The video above shows a trick to make it easy!
Also interesting: Possible reactions to excessive ginger consumption
Brewing Temperature and Steeping Time for Ginger Tea
While the brewing temperature has a direct impact on the taste of green or black tea (both should not be brewed too hot to avoid bitterness), ginger tea is brewed with boiling water. The longer the steeping time, the spicier it becomes–but ginger tea should steep for at least five minutes before drinking. Depending on taste, add a bit of lemon juice, fresh mint, and/or honey.