Just because ginger looks a bit shrivelled doesn’t mean it’s definitely spoiled. But you should be careful if you see these changes:
It’s becoming soft or mushy, mould is appearing, the colour is changing, it has a bad smell, or the inside is turning dark/grey. These are all signs that it might have gone bad.
Especially if you see any mould, it’s safest to just throw the ginger away.
Follow these tips even when you’re buying ginger at the store!
If you want your ginger to last long, it’s important to pick good quality ginger from the start.
Good ginger is:
• Firm and solid
• Has skin that isn’t too wrinkled
• Has no wet, rotten spots
• Has no mould
• Smells like normal ginger
It’s best to avoid buying ginger that is very soft, wrinkled, or has blemishes.
To sum it up…
Don’t wash ginger and store it while it’s wet. Keep it dry with the skin on. Loosely wrapping it in a paper towel and storing it in a sealed container in the fridge will help maintain its quality for a long time. For even longer storage, the freezer is your best bet.
If ginger often goes to waste in your kitchen, following this one small storage tip can help you reduce food waste and save money.