Ginger

Ginger is an ingredient used in many Asian dishes. The younger ginger has a thinner skin which can be peeled away by scraping with the back of a teaspoon. This is the best way to retain the sweet-spicy flavour which is most concentrated directly beneath the ginger skin.

Ginger is said to pukol angin (‘beat the wind’ out of the body). Slices of ginger were rubbed on the back, leaving red streaks. The more streaks the better as it was considered that more of the cold dampness that caused aches and pains was released.