Kaempferia Galanga, the root is used as a spice in Asia. We recommend trying small amounts to find your tolerance. Funny, I would have said galangal has a perfume scent. She also recommended her galangal wine remedy to treat moderate fevers, stomach and intestinal disorders, and to strengthen a weakened heart. This video is unavailable. Although these two look identical, they are not in terms of taste. By David Ross, January 21, 2011 in Cooking. Galangal has various heath benefits and uses in the kitchen. A. galanga rhizomes. Combine wine and galangal root in kettle or saucepan. Unlike ginger, galangal is not readily available in most grocery stores. You may also find it on Amazon. Here’s how. straw or oyster mushrooms, bite-sized pieces 2 to 2 1⁄2 Tbsp lime juice • chopped cilantro and/or green onions to taste, for garnish • steamed jasmine rice, to taste, for serving (optional). It is important to note that ginger’s own flavor intensity can differ significantly depending on the variety of ginger and the conditions in which it is grown; ginger can be mellow and sweet or it can be aggressively hot. Add the mushrooms and cook for another one to two minutes to soften. However, despite galangal’s own unique characteristics—the citrus, the spice, some say musky mustard overtones—it is often overshadowed by the more readily available (some say easier) ginger, which is unwittingly substituted for it. I think of galangal as more delicate and fruity, without the peppery bite of ginger. Use 1 part galangal root to 5 parts alcohol, example: 10 g galangal root (cut or coarsely pulverized), 50 g 40% (80 proof) grain alcohol (e.g. Visit our sister site PepperScale. Some varieties can even be peeled with the edge of a spoon. Galangal’s most important difference (when compared to ginger) is its flavor. It is also slightly larger and thicker than lesser galangal. Ten ways you can help support the eGullet Society. GALANGAL: has a sharp, citrusy flavour, with white/pink flesh, GINGER: is pungent, spicy, and bright yellow. So you don’t need to use much at any one time. Since galangal root is a sturdy and robust plant that can last a long time in your pantry or refrigerator, the easiest and most common way to realize the health benefits of galangal is to simply include it as a reliable kitchen spice. These two ingredients look similar because they are from the same rhizome (root plant) family. Receive our newsletter as well as special announcements about Hildegard related resources, events, and media. Lastly, these two rhizomes differ from each other in appearance. There are not many established western dishes that feature galangal. When purchasing fresh galangal, choose firm, almost bright-looking pieces free of any soft, sunken spots. It was an acquired taste for me. I love it in curry pastes and lakhsa (sp? The flesh of both roots is very dense and hard, with a woody consistency. 5 Plant-Based Foods That Boost Testosterone in the Body, 5 Reasons Why Pit Bulls are Misunderstood, this would make for the perfect flavor base. Hildegard of Bingen held galangal or galanga in high esteem as a healthy and healing plant. A few roots will last you quite a while. The galangal plant has a long history of medicinal and culinary uses. The Galangal tea can also be drunk regardless of discomfort. This is my glass? Galangal is hard, which makes it difficult to grate. Galangal and ginger can both be used in peanut sauce, which is a great sauce to try in place of others you might have on hand. Us Thais don’t use ginger as often as Chinese cooks, but I do like to put it into some in my stir-fries. This a feature of Tom Yum soup where it is especially good when combined with hot peppers. This article reviews galangal root's benefits and safety, as well as how it compares with ginger and turmeric. While researchers continue to discover new potential for the medicinal uses of galangal, here are the known healing properties of galanga: You can take advantage of the natural healing properties of galanga for many different health benefits and remedies. I use dried galangal but really don't care for the fresh and although I love ginger, I have problems especially with the lesser galangal as it is hotter than ginger and has an underlying "earthy" flavor that I associate with decaying plants and which really turns me off. Search. You can often find galangal at specialty health foods stores, local Asian or world-style markets, and at the major supermarket chain H-Mart. It tastes sweet, spicy, and slightly bitter. There are those who say: this glass is half full. We like to add some lemon grass for fresh flavor.