How do you extract juice from ginger roots?

Ginger root is a spice that contains a variety of health benefits. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and cuisine. The pungent, fresh flavor of ginger pairs well with other ingredients and can be extracted into a juice. Drinking ginger juice provides the health benefits of ginger in a concentrated, easy-to-consume format. With the right tools and techniques, extracting juice from fresh ginger roots is simple.

Benefits of Ginger Juice

Ginger contains a bioactive compound called gingerol that gives ginger its spicy flavor and medicinal properties. Research has shown gingerol has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities.

Drinking ginger juice provides the following benefits:

• Reduces nausea – Helps alleviate nausea from motion sickness, pregnancy, and chemotherapy
• Fights infections – Has antimicrobial properties that inhibit bacterial and fungal growth
• Reduces muscle pain and soreness – Anti-inflammatory effects help relieve pain
• Supports digestion – Can aid digestion and relieve constipation, bloating, and gas
• Contains antioxidants – Has compounds that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation
• May lower blood sugar – Can help improve glycemic control in people with diabetes

The concentration of active compounds in ginger juice makes it more potent than fresh ginger. Drinking just a small amount provides the robust health benefits of this medicinal root.

Selecting Ginger Root

Choose fresh, firm ginger roots with smooth skin. Avoid ginger that is wrinkled, dry, or moldy. The skin should be thin and easy to peel.

Young ginger has a milder, more delicate flavor. Mature ginger with thicker skin tends to be more fibrous with a strong, spicy flavor.

When possible, choose organic, local ginger to reduce your environmental impact.

Cleaning and Peeling

Rinse ginger roots thoroughly under cool running water to remove any dirt. Use a vegetable brush to gently scrub away any debris stuck to the skin.

A peeler, paring knife, spoon, or the edge of a spoon can all be used to peel the ginger. Peel just a thin layer, avoiding the white flesh just under the skin which contains a lot of nutrients.

Cutting the Ginger

Once peeled, cut the ginger into smaller, thin coins or slices. This increases the surface area and makes juicing more efficient.

Lay the ginger flat on a cutting board and slice across the grain. Aim for round slices about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.

Cut any large ginger pieces in half lengthwise first so they are stable and easy to cut into slices.

Juicing Methods

There are several options for extracting juice from fresh ginger root:

Juicer

A juicer that extracts juice by crushing and pressing produce is very effective for juicing ginger. This method quickly produces high yields of ginger juice.

Feed ginger slices or chunks into the juicer chute and process according to manufacturer directions. A slow juicer will retain more nutrients than a centrifugal model.

Blender

Using a powerful blender is a simple way to make ginger juice at home. Add chopped ginger and a small amount of water to the blender jar. Process on high speed until pulverized into a paste. Add more water as needed to reach the desired consistency.

Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, nut milk bag, cheesecloth, or thin towel to separate the fibrous pulp from the liquid. Squeeze out any remaining juice by twisting the pulp over the bowl.

Grater

Grating fresh ginger and pressing out the juice is a low-tech option. Use a fine microplane or grater to break down the ginger into a pulp.

Wrap the pulp in a towel or cheesecloth and squeeze firmly to extract the juice. Twisting the towel will help express more of the liquid.

Garlic Press

A garlic press can be repurposed to juice ginger. Feed very small pieces of ginger through the holes of the press. Catch the extracted juice in a bowl below.

Keep pressing new ginger pieces until you have the desired amount of juice.

Juicing Tips

• Juice ginger right before use for the best flavor
• Add lemon, apples, carrots, or celery to cut the spiciness
• Strain juice through a coffee filter for clearer juice
• Store juice in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage
• Add honey, maple syrup, or spices to taste
• Dilute strong ginger juice with water or tea
• Use juiced pulp for cooking, baking, or making broth

Recipes Using Ginger Juice

Ginger juice can be enjoyed on its own or used to add flavor and health benefits to drinks, marinades, stir fries, and many other recipes. Here are some tasty ways to use fresh ginger juice:

Ginger Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ginger juice
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup water
• Sweetener to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients together in a pitcher
2. Refrigerate before serving over ice

Ginger Tea

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp ginger juice
• 1 cup hot water
• Honey or lemon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat water just under boiling point
2. Remove from heat and stir in ginger juice
3. Add sweetener if desired

Ginger Soy Salmon

Ingredients:

• 1 lb salmon fillet
• 3 tbsp ginger juice
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F
2. Place salmon fillet on a baking sheet
3. In a bowl, mix ginger juice, soy sauce, and honey
4. Brush sauce mixture evenly over salmon
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes until cooked through

Conclusion

Ginger juice delivers a concentrated dose of ginger’s beneficial compounds. Extracting the juice from fresh ginger root only requires a few simple tools. A juicer, blender, grater, or garlic press can all be used to make DIY ginger juice. Add the spicy, potent flavor of ginger juice to drinks, marinades, stir fries, and more for a health boost.