The benefits and harms of candied ginger are of great importance for everyone who plans to use them for medicinal purposes. Legends literally go about the benefits of this dessert, but you need to understand that it may be contraindicated to some. We will talk about this in the article. It is worthwhile to clearly understand under what diseases this product will really be useful, and when it will do harm.
Description
It is important to understand what the benefits and harms of candied ginger are in order to properly use this delicacy and take it only when it is really necessary and guaranteed not to cause any harm to health.
In fact, these candied fruits are dried pieces of ginger root, boiled in saturated sugar syrup. Ginger is one of the most beneficial and amazing herbaceous plants for the human body. Western India is officially considered his homeland, but ginger can now be found on other continents. It grows in Vietnam, China, West Africa, Japan, Argentina, Brazil and Jamaica.
At the same time, it is worth recognizing that externally candied fruits in sugar from ginger look extremely unpresentable. These are pale yellow very sugared slices of a very small size. At the same time, they retain the burning taste of fresh ginger, which becomes less pronounced due to the fact that it is softened by sweetness. The most important thing is that candied fruits retain the vast majority of useful properties inherent in the original product. But ginger has not just a lot of them, but an incredible amount! This plant is considered one of the main healing agents in oriental medicine.
Benefit
We carefully consider the benefits and harms of candied ginger. It is believed that they, like a fresh plant, have a lot of useful properties. The composition of candied ginger contains a large number of useful components, which allows us to consider this delicacy an effective remedy for many well-known ailments. Among the substances important for our body in ginger are:
- magnesium;
- potassium;
- phosphorus;
- manganese;
- calcium;
- sodium;
- chromium;
- silicon;
- iron;
- germanium;
- vitamin C;
- oleic, nicotinic and linoleic acid;
- choline;
- tryptophan;
- phenylalanine;
- asparagine;
- valine;
- methionine;
- threonine.
It is worth noting that even this is not a complete list. In fact, there are even more useful substances, these are only the most basic and important.
Ginger owes its characteristic burning taste, by which you can immediately recognize this plant, to ginger. This substance, which helps to accelerate metabolic processes in the body, has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect, and also prevents the formation of tumors.
Due to such a variety of substances, candied ginger has many useful properties.
The most important of them are:
- treatment of various diseases of the upper respiratory tract due to a warming, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, diaphoretic, expectorant, decongestant and analgesic effect;
- strengthening the human immune system;
- the provision of antispasmodic action;
- activation of digestive processes in the body; candied fruits relieve intoxication, relieve constipation, stimulate appetite;
- treatment of various pustular skin diseases;
- purification of blood from toxins and improvement of blood circulation;
- normalization of female and male hormonal systems;
- slowing down the aging of the body;
- improvement of the cardiovascular system;
- regulation of lipid metabolism, which significantly contributes to weight loss;
- antitumor effect;
- increased stamina and improved memory.
Thus, the benefits of candied ginger with the correct use of this tool is really great.
Healing properties
Of particular interest are the healing properties of this traditional medicine. Most patients who used them for all kinds of diseases answered positively to the question whether candied fruit from ginger is useful. It should be recognized that in the form of candied fruit this plant is not as effective as in fresh, but it can still help with various ailments. Candied fruit from ginger root is used in the complex treatment of various diseases, as well as for their prevention.
First of all, such candied fruits are effective in the fight against colds. They have the ability to destroy pathogenic bacteria, neutralize inflammatory processes, relieve swelling. At the same time, they warm well, stimulate expectoration, eliminate chills. If the patient has a sore throat, it is believed that it is enough for the patient to chew a small piece of candied ginger thoroughly so that the painful and unpleasant sensations in the throat finally disappear.
Candied fruits are also advised to patients who have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This useful sweetness effectively stimulates the digestive system, significantly improving gastric secretion, increases appetite, and relieves burping.
Ginger, including in the form of candied fruit, is considered an effective antiparasitic agent that allows you to get rid of helminthic invasions. In addition, it effectively cleanses the blood, strengthens blood vessels, and removes cholesterol harmful to humans from the body. Due to the last listed properties, it is often advised to take it at a consistently high blood pressure, with a breakdown, as an aid in the fight against atherosclerosis.
Of course, candied ginger (photos are presented in the article) is not a panacea for all diseases. We emphasize that this is still a popular method of treatment, therefore, with serious ailments, it is allowed to use it only as an adjunct in complex treatment. Along with the medications prescribed by the doctor, these candied fruits help with arthrosis, arthritis, and rheumatism. It is believed that ginger root is able to effectively stop the growth of cancer cells, so it is recommended for the prevention of cancer.
Candied ginger is often taken by the fair sex. For them, this remedy is recommended for relieving cramps with too painful periods. In addition, ginger root has the ability to stimulate the uterus. It is believed that this helps in trying to get rid of infertility.
They recommend a ginger-based remedy for toxicosis. Candied fruits effectively relieve the symptoms that accompany it. Finally, ginger has the ability to burn fat, so it is included in a variety of diets, it is recommended for patients who get rid of extra pounds. It should be borne in mind that candied fruits at the same time show effectiveness only in small doses, because due to the presence of sugar in them they are considered high-calorie and rich in carbohydrates. Calories in candied fruits are three times more than in fresh ginger. So for those who are struggling with excess weight, it is still better to make a choice in favor of a fresh plant, without additional impurities.
In the end, we add that ginger has long been known as an effective aphrodisiac, which significantly increases the sexual desire of both women and men.
Contraindications
It is important to remember the benefits and harms of candied ginger. Unfortunately, this tool is not considered safe for everyone. There is a category of patients to whom it is contraindicated, as it can cause real harm. The fact is that the ginger root itself is a plant that is very saturated in its composition. Therefore, its reception, even in the form of candied fruit, can not always be considered absolutely safe. As with everything in this world, there are contraindications for candied ginger.
First of all, caution should be exercised by patients with diabetes. In this case, candied fruits in any form, including those prepared on the basis of ginger, are prohibited, as they contain a large amount of sugar. This is one of the main components that you can’t do without (how to make candied fruit from ginger will be described in the article). Therefore, with diabetes, this remedy is strictly contraindicated.
Candied ginger will also be harmful in case of duodenal ulcer and stomach ulcer. The fact is that some of the components that make up this delicacy can irritate the mucous membrane. As a result, inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract are significantly enhanced.
Moreover, ginger is not recommended for severe diseases of the kidneys and liver, especially with urolithiasis or cholelithiasis. Its stimulating effect can provoke the movement of stones, which in itself is a very painful process. In addition, there is a chance of stones getting stuck, which can lead to surgery. It is worth recognizing that the effect that candied fruits have is much weaker than that of a fresh plant, but it is still very strong. Therefore, it is better to refrain from this remedy in the presence of this ailment.
Ginger is also contraindicated in any type of bleeding, as it can significantly worsen the patient's condition. You can not take it at elevated body temperature.
It should be borne in mind that ginger has the ability to significantly enhance the action of almost all drugs with which it is used in parallel. You should be especially careful with the concomitant use of medications for arrhythmia, high blood pressure, blood thinners, as well as drugs that help lower blood sugar.
We emphasize once again that ginger itself is very effective in combating excess weight. But taking candied fruits on its basis in order to get rid of extra pounds is still considered impractical. 100 grams of the product contains 216 kcal, which is a very high indicator, especially for those who want to lose weight. Of course, candied fruit contains gingerol, which helps burn calories, but still this product should not be abused, as this can lead to the opposite effect. As a result, you can not lose weight, but rather get better.
It is also always worth remembering the individual intolerance of ginger itself and the individual components that make up this product. Due to the fact that ginger is a potent plant containing many different substances, it is likely to provoke a powerful allergic reaction. Therefore, it is recommended to use it with increased caution.
Preparation for cooking
You can easily make candied ginger at home. There are many ways to do this, but first you need to decide how to choose the right plant, which will be the most effective.
When cooking candied ginger at home, you should take only fresh root with a light and necessarily smooth skin. The fact is that from the old root you will get candied fruits that are too sharp, and from the young one that are not sufficiently hot, and therefore not effective.
When preparing a plant, you should always remember that most of the useful substances are concentrated directly under the skin, so it should be cleaned very carefully, with a thin layer, after washing it. For example, some use not even a knife or a vegetable cutter for this, but an ordinary teaspoon, just scraping off the skin. To peel ginger it was even more convenient, the root can be broken into several small pieces, so the work will go even faster.
After the ginger is peeled, it is crushed by cutting into long strips or rings. The thickness of the cut depends on how sharp you want to get the final product. Candied ginger, at home made from thin slices, will taste less sharp than those made from cubes or cubes.
To get rid of excess bitterness, it is recommended to soak ginger. This method is recommended in many recipes for candied ginger. To do this, fill the workpiece with ice water, leaving it in this form for three days. Water should be changed every twelve hours.
Classic version
To make candied ginger at home according to a recipe that is recognized as classic, you will need 300 g of granulated sugar and ginger root, very little clean drinking water.
Peel the ginger and cut into thin slices. Then boil it in water for 30-40 minutes, so that it loses too much hotness and becomes softer. After that, it is recommended to dry and cool it a little.
While the ginger dries, make sugar syrup. To do this, in three glasses of water you need to boil the sugar until it is completely dissolved. In the resulting syrup, put slices of ginger, boiling it over low heat until all the moisture has completely evaporated. At the same time, ginger should become slightly transparent. During this process, it is important to ensure that your future candied fruits do not burn. This can be avoided by stirring them regularly.
After boiling the ginger in the syrup, put it on a baking sheet, sprinkled with sugar and covered with parchment. Sprinkle sugar over the top again. In total, you will take about two-thirds of a glass. Now put it in the oven at 40 degrees for about half an hour. In principle, you can do without an oven, leaving the candied fruit to dry at room temperature. But in this case, the preparation will take much longer (about a day).
Ready-made ginger candied fruits are poured into a jar with a tight lid or put into cellophane. In this form, they can be stored for three to four months. This is a classic way to help make candied ginger at home.
It is interesting that they are used not only as a medicine of traditional medicine, but also are actively used in cooking. This is a common ingredient in the preparation of marmalade, confiture, jam and many other sweets. With the help of candied fruit, it is possible to improve the useful and taste properties of these sweets. They also contribute to the processes of natural conservation. The fact is that ginger itself is an excellent preservative, and it does not matter whether it is candied or fresh.
Candied ginger is added to all kinds of pastries. In this case, the aroma becomes spicy, and the taste itself becomes more saturated. For example, they are used in traditional Russian gingerbread cookies, which is why they are called gingerbread.
Candied ginger - a component familiar to many when cooking compotes. They also make some alcoholic beverages, primarily liquors.
Many people prefer replacing candies with candied ginger. It is not only tasty, but also much more healthy. It is recommended to drink tea with them in the cold season as a prophylaxis of viral and colds. In this case, candied fruit can be put directly into the cup. Pieces of ginger will help you keep warm, make you more energetic, and will strengthen immunity.
Moreover, the syrup that remains after making candied fruits can also be added to tea. In this case, it will acquire a surprisingly pleasant aroma and a persistent aftertaste.
The method of preparation with citric acid
For this option, you will need to take 200-250 g of chopped ginger root, which is poured with two glasses of boiling water, and then boiled over a minimum heat for an hour. It is required that all unnecessary bitterness is partially digested. If you plan to use these candied fruits as a regular dessert, and not as a medicine, then it is advised to change the water several times. So there will be practically no unpleasant bitterness.
Now you should make syrup. To do this, take half a glass of water and 200 g of sugar. Pre-boiled, and then carefully dried ginger (this is best done on a sieve), put in a saucepan with a syrup, which is boiled until the syrup finally thickens, and pieces of the plant itself become transparent. This will indicate that ginger is completely saturated with sugar, which is very important for us.
Next, in a flat plate, you need to mix a quarter of a spoonful of citric acid with two tablespoons of granulated sugar. Lay out ginger slices in the prepared mixture with kitchen tongs or with the most ordinary fork, carefully rolling it from all sides. This is a simple recipe for candied ginger, which can be implemented even by a novice housewife.
Sugared candied fruit recipe
This is a very unusual way to make candied ginger. In this case, you will need two large ginger roots, one teaspoon of salt and 250 g of sugar.
Ginger is cut into thin plates no more than five millimeters thick. , . . 30 .
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Sprinkle the finished slices with sugar on all sides and dry until tender. Here's an original recipe to help you make candied ginger.
Option with dryer
This dish can be dried at room temperature, in the oven or use an electric dryer. This is an effective and efficient way to make candied fruit from ginger.
In this case, we need the following components:
- 800 g of peeled fresh ginger;
- 400 g of granulated sugar;
- 1 liter of clean drinking water;
- 150-200 g of sugar topping.
Peel the ginger tubers. Expect about 800 g of fresh ginger to come out of one kilogram of tubers. We cut it into thin plates, if desired, you can use a special grater.
Put ginger in a saucepan and pour sugar. Fill everything with water and wait until the syrup boils. Pour enough water so that it completely covers the root. The main thing here is not to overdo it, since there should not be too much fluid.
When the syrup boils, the fire should be reduced, then cook the ginger until cooked. All water should boil so that you have a thick and caramelized syrup at the bottom of the pan. In this case, the ginger strips will appear transparent and shiny. This means that you are doing everything correctly, and figured out how to make candied fruit from ginger.
Spread ginger slices on a sieve, letting the syrup drain into a specially prepared bowl. Pour granulated sugar into a plate, put the plates on it. Roll each one thoroughly in sugar, and then send it onto the pallets of the electric dryer. Turn on high mode. It takes about 5 hours to prepare candied ginger in the dryer. After turning off the appliance, it is recommended to leave ginger on pallets until it is completely dry.
Candied fruits similar to candies
If you cook candied fruits according to this recipe, you will get not only an effective medicine, but also a real treat, which many sweet tooth can envy. Such candied fruits as a result are similar to real candies. This effect can be achieved by prolonged soaking and cooking, during which they lose most of their unpleasant stinginess.
To begin with, ginger plates are soaked in water for three days. During this time, the water should be changed three to four times. Soaked ginger is poured with water, and then boiled for another 20 minutes over medium heat. After that, the water is drained, replacing it with clean. The root is cooked for another 20 minutes. The same procedure should be repeated for the third time.
After cooking, put the slices of ginger in a colander, waiting until the liquid has completely drained. Now it is recommended to weigh the ginger mass in order to determine the necessary amount of sugar. The ratio of cooked ginger and granulated sugar should be one to one. In this case, water should be taken in the amount of half of the amount of sugar used. Next, syrup is made from water and sugar.
The prepared pieces of ginger are cooked in a sweet mass for 20 minutes, and then left in the pan for eight to ten hours until they are finally cooled. Then ginger is boiled again for 20 minutes, again cooled. In total, this procedure should be repeated three times. Slices boiled in syrup are thoroughly sprinkled with sugar and dried.
By the way, there are many ways to dry candied fruits. For example, they can be laid out on a baking sheet covered with special baking paper, or you can build a structure that will consist of a baking sheet and a grid placed above it. Candied wedges are placed on a wire rack, drying them at room temperature.
If you decide to dry candied fruits in the oven, the recommended temperature should be 60-70 degrees. At the same time, it is recommended to leave the door slightly ajar. A kitchen towel, a box of matches or a potholder is inserted into the remaining opening.
When using an electric dryer in most recipes, it is recommended to set the temperature to 50-60 degrees, and change the lattices every one and a half to two hours.
Cooking without sugar
Few people know that you can cook candied fruit from ginger and without sugar. This recipe will be especially relevant for diabetics who are strictly contraindicated in this ingredient. In this case, it is advised to take 100 g of ginger, five tablespoons of water for the preparation of syrup and 15 measuring spoons of FitParada, a common sweetener.
We clean ginger, removing a thin layer of peel from it. Cut the roots into thin slices. Please note: if you come across an old ginger, which has coarse fibers, this should not confuse you. In the finished candied fruit, they will become tender and pleasant to taste, this unpleasant feature will be eliminated. The “hairiness” will not affect the taste of your dessert, only the appearance.
Ginger plates cook in ordinary water for no more than half an hour. As a rule, this time is enough to remove excessive sharpness. The main thing is to completely fill in all the sliced plates with water a couple of centimeters.
After this, the broth is drained. And get rid of it is not worth it. Store it in a jar and put it in the refrigerator. It can be added to tea, which will diversify the drink. He, like ginger, will contribute to weight loss and strengthen immunity. Pour exactly five tablespoons of water into a ginger pan, add FitParad. After that, with the lid closed, cook over low heat for about half an hour. As a result, the liquid should completely evaporate.
If desired, you can add a tablespoon of lemon juice and a few lemon peels, which will give candied fruit an unusual sourness. To do this, it is better to cook the crusts in advance: boil for five minutes in syrup the day before, then leave for several hours, and then boil a little more. In general, act as with ordinary candied fruits, which are obtained from the citrus peel.
Drying such candied ginger is recommended in the oven at minimum temperature or in silicone form. As a result, even without sugar, you will get sweet, tart, spicy and aromatic candied fruits, which will have a pleasant acidity if you add lemon to them. They can feast on the bite of tea, or you can use them in baking.