Galangal, or large galangal (lat.Alpina galangal) is a perennial herb of the ginger family. It has many names – Siamese ginger, large galangal, real galangal, Chinese ginger. It grows mainly on the territory of Southeast Asia, it is found in the Northeastern regions of Africa. Thailand is considered the birthplace of the plant. Galangal is cultivated mainly in India, China, Japan, on the island of Java.
Galangal is a close relative of ginger, and just like ginger, galangal’s main value is its rhizome. Galangal root is hard, fibrous, reddish pink; it tastes very similar to ginger, but has a more subtle and refined aroma, more similar to that of saffron. The beneficial properties of galangal are associated precisely with the root of the plant.
Composition
Galangal root owes its pungent taste and spicy aroma to the essential oil it contains. The chemical composition of galangal oil is very rich – it contains alpha-pinin, methyl cinnamate, cineol, and eugenol. When the root of galangal is dried, the essential oil qualitatively changes its composition – such substances as alpha-bergamotin, beta-bisabolin, trans-beta-farnesin appear in it.
Cooking application
Galangal root is mainly used as a spice, as well as ginger. It is an indispensable ingredient in Chinese, Japanese and Southeastern island cuisine. Where is galangal added? It goes well with meat and fish dishes, vegetable snacks, rice, beans. Galangal is added to baked goods and pastries, gingerbread, honey gingerbread and oriental sweets. Galangal is used in winemaking, for the aromatization of alcoholic beverages, as well as for the preparation of kvass and cider. Without it, it is impossible to imagine the preparation of duck in Chinese, when a whole duck carcass is rubbed with a special paste of galangal, garlic, nuts and red pepper. Duck grated with fragrant paste is baked whole.
Galangal is one of the most important components of the famous tom-yam soup, which is well known to lovers of exotic cuisine. But in Europe, galangal is not very well known, and it is very difficult to acquire it – it is sold in few places.
Medicinal properties
Like ginger, galangal is also considered a medicinal plant. A decoction or tea with galangal relieves inflammation, is an excellent tonic drink, strengthens the body and improves immunity.
