The origins of ginger are uncertain, but it is believed to be many millennia old. Originally produced as a tonic root to treat a variety of ailments, ginger became a valuable export from India to Europe during the Roman Empire and was heralded for its medicinal properties. A member of the plant family which contains Cardamom and Turmeric, ginger is grown from the rhizome, which is the part of the plant that you buy in store! Ginger is an incredibly versatile little plant and is enjoyed in both sweet treats like cakes or biscuits and savoury recipes alike. But one of the best ways to enjoy ginger is in your morning cuppa!
Let us talk you through it…
Benefits of ginger in tea
Apart from offering you a deliciously sweet and zingy pick me up, there are a plethora of health benefits which ginger boasts. It is high in vitamin C and B6, which coupled with its anti-viral and anti-fungal properties can help fight off illness – Perfect for the upcoming winter months! In addition, ginger has antioxidant properties that can reduce inflammation and eliminate headaches. Ginger is also good for digestion and tummy troubles; It is known to help nausea and support healthy gastrointestinal function. Best drunk in the morning to kickstart your digestive system!
How are we sustainably farming our ginger?
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do here at English Tea Shop, and the way we harvest our ginger is no different. We work with 60 small-scale organic farmers from three farming communities who cultivate ginger in Sri Lanka. We offer training and workshops to educate our farmers on the most sustainable ginger harvesting methods, minimising post-harvest losses, sharing knowledge on pest and disease control and processing methods. In addition, we offer trade advances to our producers to ensure our farmers have money to support their livelihoods all year round, as ginger is a seasonal plant.
Where can you find our ginger?
Ginger’s warming, spicy flavour is perfect for our teas and as a result, ginger makes up around 3.7% of all English Tea Shop blends. Enjoyed all year round, but particularly in autumn and winter, you can find ginger in many of our blends so there’s a tea for everyone! You can find it in our Super Goodness range, in blends like Turmeric, Ginger and Lemongrass and Cinnamon, moringa, ginger, if you’re looking for a morning cuppa with a difference. You can also find this wonderful ingredient in our Everyday range in blends like Lemongrass, citrus, ginger, Intense Chai and many more!
Keep your eye out on the blog as we showcase more of our wonderful seasonal ingredients in the future!