Did you just find old stored ginger in your fridge? This happens to us all as we buy it frequently; therefore, we forget some leftovers store.
However, after founding, people wonder whether they should use it or do ginger go bad.
There is no doubt that ginger does go bad; thus, one must not consume this right away.
So one must refrain from having sour ginger as it might contain bacteria that can make you sick.
Bad ginger can lead to severe liver infection and stomach problems, so you should avoid its consumption.
How Long Does Ginger Last? Does Ginger Go Bad?
Different types of ginger have different shelf lives, and another factor that can impact its shelf life is the way of storage.
For example- powdered ginger is the one with the longest shelf life as it is in dried form.
Even though all the gingers have a longer shelf life, ground ginger can be kept in a pantry for 2 to 3 years.
On the other hand, crystallized ginger only lasts for one and a half years to two years.
For both of these gingers, refrigeration, and freezing are not recommended.
If anyone has bought canned ginger, then it should be refrigerated, and its shelf life ranges from 2 to 3 months.
Peeled and sliced ginger can be used for 1 to 2 weeks if refrigerated.
The shelf life of raw ginger or its paste is shorter than others, and the paste must not be kept without refrigeration.
However, one can exceed the shelf life of ginger paste by freezing it for up to 3 to 4 months.
If you have raw ginger, then at room temperature, you can store it only for a week.
One can refrigerate and preserve raw ginger for more extended storage for a month.
We can also freeze raw ginger roots, which will serve for 2 to 6 months without losing quality.
How to Tell if Ginger Has Gone Bad?
- Mold Growth
One must know how they can identify bad ginger so that they can avoid any possible illness.
The first thing you can notice is mold growth.
One just needs to examine its surface and see if there is any mold or spots.
If there is mold, then this is a sign that ginger has gone bad.
People must avoid the consumption of moldy ginger as they lose its value and develop bacteria.
- Foul Smell
If there is no change in appearance, you can sniff the ginger.
To check its freshness, you need to cut a slice and smell it.
At first, it has an aromatic smell, but the odor becomes foul and dull as time passes.
So if the scent is not as strong as fresh ginger, one must discard the ginger as it is spoiled from the inside.
- Mushy Texture
Another way to find bad ginger is an alteration in texture.
Fresh ginger has a firm texture when you hold or try to squeeze it.
So in case your ginger has a mushy or soft texture, you should avoid its usage.
One can also notice discoloration as, in general, ginger has a bright yellow color.
However, its color changes because of prolonged storage, and it becomes dark yellow or grayish.
How to Store Ginger?
- Storage in Pantry
When you are storing ginger in the pantry, then it will be safe for a week.
Thus people who are going to have it in a week or within a couple of days after a week can store them in the pantry.
However, people must avoid peeling ginger as once it’s peeled; it will not offer a similar shelf life.
So it would be best if you peel the ginger immediately before use.
- Avoid Heat Sources
When you are storing it at room temperature, then be sure that they are not near the heat source.
Sometimes people keep them on a kitchen shelf which is near the stove and make them bad.
Also, you must avoid storage in direct sunlight.
- Use Airtight Jar
When storing powdered ginger, you must not open the pack.
But if it’s opened, you should transfer it to an airtight container.
If you use the powder frequently, a resealable jar or bad will be perfect as it will preserve its flavor and ensure prolonged storage.
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