Ginger
Reading edition
Unlike the Spices treated in this series, Ginger is the root-stock of a plant known botanically as Zingiber officinale, an annual herb, three or four feet high. It is a native of India and China, but is grown extensively in tropical America, Africa and Australia.
The plant endures a wide range of climate. It may be grown at sea level or in mountainous regions, provided the rainfall be abundant or irrigation adopted.
It is found cultivated from the Himalaya Mountains, 5000 feet above sea level, to Cape Comarin.
The root is dug when the plant is a year old and after the stalk has withered.
Black Ginger, of which Calcutta and African are the common varieties, is produced by scalding the freshly dug roots. This prevents sprouting.
White Ginger is the decorticated product, the chief varieties being Jamaica, Cochin and Japan. Jamaica is the most esteemed. Jamaica Ginger is best known and most used here, although both Cochin and African Ginger are imported in a large way.
The different varieties of Ginger are imported by McCormick & Company, who distribute them under the Bee Brand and Banquet Brand guarantee. Green Ginger is the undried root. That received in the United States is the Jamaica variety.
Mrs. King’s Bee Brand Ginger Bread
1 cup brown sugar 1 cup Porto Rico molasses 1 cup sour milk 1 (rounded) teaspoon soda in 2 tablespoons boiling water 1 cup boiling water 2 teaspoons Bee Brand Powdered Ginger 2 eggs and 3 cups flour 1 teaspoon Bee Brand Powdered Cinnamon ½ teaspoon Bee Brand Nutmeg 2 tablespoons lard 2 tablespoons butter ⅛ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 tablespoon baking powder
Mix and sift dry ingredients. Beat eggs without separating, add sugar, molasses and milk, shortening, and gradually beat in dry ingredients, reserving soda, which is stirred in boiling water, and beaten in last. Pour in pan or muffin rings. Add a cup of currants if desired.—From Bee Brand Manual of Cookery.
The mixture should be the consistency of Muffin Batter, add a little more flour, if necessary.
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(Pimento or Allspice)
Jamaica Fruit
Mexican
Flower
⅔ Natural size
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