In 2025, the ginger market is expected to reach an incredible $5.2 billion. You've probably used this curious food in your favorite foods and beverages, but how familiar are you with it? Is it a vegetable? A fruit? Something else?
The truth is this question is more nuanced than it seems. Keep reading to learn more!
Key Takeaways
- Ginger is considered a root vegetable and is often used as a spice in the culinary world.
- Ginger is the underground stem, also known as the rhizome, of the ginger plant.
- Ginger has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb and natural wellness remedy due to its many health benefits.
- Ginger is also used in many skincare treatments, as it can reduce pore size and refine skin tone. That's why it's a key ingredient in our Sweet Black Tea and Ginger Oil-Free Moisturizer.
See Related: 5 Tips to Get Clear and Healthy Skin
What Is Ginger?
In order to classify ginger, you need to know what ginger is.
Ginger is derived from the plant Zingiber officinale, a herbaceous perennial that bears narrow blade-like leaves and a pale yellow flower. More specifically, ginger root is the rhizome of the ginger plant - the root stalks grow underground, and the plants grow above ground.
Ginger has a distinctive flavor and a fragrant aroma that makes it a popular ingredient in many savory dishes and refreshing beverages, from stir fries to curries to salad dressings.
The History of Ginger
Ginger has a long and extensive history, being used for thousands of years in beauty rituals, natural remedies, and medicinal treatments.
It is believed that ginger was first transported throughout the Indo-Pacific during the Austronesian expansion in 5,000 BC. It was one of the first spices exported from Asia to Europe to be used by the Greeks and Romans.
The Potential Health Benefits of Ginger
Ginger was (and still is) often used in traditional medicine and in the kitchen due to its numerous health benefits, culinary uses, and medicinal properties. Ginger has been used extensively to relieve nausea (including motion sickness and morning sickness), aid digestion, and heal the skin.
Additionally, ginger is well-known for its antioxidant effects and anti-inflammatory properties. Those are just some of the many reasons why ginger is a key ingredient in our skincare products, including our Sweet Black Tea and Ginger Oil-Free Moisturizer.
However, we use more than ginger in our skincare formulations. Our products are carefully crafted with natural botanicals and plant-based ingredients like candlenut oil, turmeric, and illipe butter in order to smooth, nourish, and protect the skin, leaving you with a bright and soft complexion.
Bonus: Is Coconut Oil Good for Your Skin?
What Is the Difference Between a Fruit and a Vegetable?
So, back to the question at hand. Is ginger a vegetable? A fruit? Something in between?
But first, what is the difference between a vegetable and a fruit?
In botanical terms, fruits have seeds, and vegetables do not. But this can get pretty nuanced. For example, tomatoes have seeds, but they are defined as vegetables.
So, Is Ginger a Vegetable or a Fruit?
Everyone is pretty much in agreement that ginger is not a fruit. Therefore, many consider it a vegetable. - more specifically, a root vegetable (since ginger is a rhizome.) But in the culinary world, it is more often used as a spice.
How Can I Use Ginger?
There are countless different ways to use ginger in the kitchen. Fresh ginger root can add a fresh and vibrant flavor to your favorite foods, or you can use ginger in a powdered form to add a quick dash of spice. There's even ginger oil, candied ginger, pickled ginger, preserved ginger, or dried ginger.
When you think of ginger, your mind may jump to ginger ale or ginger bread. But this rhizome can be used in a wide variety of dishes and cuisines.
Ginger is often used in Indonesian and Indian cuisine, like in stir fries, soups, or curries. It can even be brewed into ginger tea or used to make jamu.
The Bottom Line
When it comes down to it, it doesn't really matter what you classify ginger root as. Whether you consider it a vegetable or a spice, it's a must-have ingredient in your kitchen (and your bathroom, too!)
From fresh ginger tea to ginger-infused eye creams, there is no shortage of ways to make the most of this humble rhizome.
Keep Reading: What Does Turmeric Taste Like?
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People Also Ask
Is ginger a fruit or a vegetable?
Ginger, as well as turnips, beets, and turmeric, are all considered root vegetables. They are not a fruit. Root vegetables grow underground and can have some immense health benefits, whether you eat them raw or drink them as a juice.
Is ginger a root vegetable or a spice?
Here's where things can get pretty nuanced. Ginger can be considered both a root vegetable and a spice. Because it grows underground, it can be a root vegetable, but it is often used as a spice.
Regardless of what you want to call it, it's a good idea to always have some ginger powder hidden away in your kitchen cabinets (and some fresh ginger in your fridge, too.)
What vegetable family is ginger in?
Ginger is a part of the ginger family, which is also known as the Zingiberaceae. This family consists of more than 1,300 species across the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The Zingiberaceae family also includes other spices and rhizomes such as turmeric, cardamom, and galangal.
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Juara Skincare incorporates ancient rituals with Western skincare science, creating the ultimate beauty experience. We aim to transport you from the mundane to the extraordinary with our exotic ingredients, intoxicating scents, and powerful, skin-improving formulas. All of our products are nutrient-rich and botanically based. We are proud to be certified cruelty-free. Get the latest skin care tips and info on Juara products by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
