merk_the_hermit

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Hey, I've been experimenting for a few weeks with ginger beer plant in making ginger beer. I've been making small batches (~2000ml) batches and have been going through a lot of fresh ginger.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of using Crystallized Ginger. I've been looking and some places are offering it as a reasonable price, but I'm not sure if the Sulfur Dioxide will prevent fermentation.

Anyone have any experience?

stevea1210

Recipes 

I have used crystallized ginger in several saisons I've brewed with no ill effects. It just isn't as powerful as fresh.

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BudzAndSudz

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How does the flavor compare? Is it exactly the same as fresh, just softer, or is it more of a smooth, gentle taste compared to the intense spiciness that fresh ginger can impart?

Leadgolem

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When crystalized ginger is made, it is basically pieces of fresh ginger that are cooked with a sugar water syrup until virtually all the water has evaporated. The cooking takes out about 70% of the "spiciness" of the ginger. Most of the sharp flavor from the fresh ginger is also cooked out. What's left is more of a mellowed, savory flavor. It's not bad, but it is different from fresh ginger. It also isn't as strongly flavored then fresh ginger, in addition to the change in flavor profile.

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BudzAndSudz

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Hmmm, interesting to think about. I'm asking because I'm considering adding some to a Belgian Tripel or perhaps a saison, and trying to decide which flavor would best compliment the complex belgian yeast.

saramc

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Could also look at galengal aka blue ginger.

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BudzAndSudz

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That's not a bad idea. I don't think the flavor difference would be enough to be worth the effort of tracking it down.

saramc

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I personally think galengal is much smoother but still with a bite on the end as opposed to ginger. I even grow it now, in pots and spots in the yard. I have always been able to source on the web.

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Leadgolem

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What zone are you in? I'd like to grow some myself, but I'm in 5b and I don't think it would survive the winter here.

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saramc

Recipes 

I am zone 6a/b, I think, I have to look at chart. But, you can definitely grow this in pots/grow bags and move into shed, garage, cold basement, etc. I am getting ready to harvest my roots from the pots I have, and I am letting the patches in ground winter over. They survived their first winter in ground. I am growing what is known as greater galengal.

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