There are many compelling reasons to add ginger to your juicing regime. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, and antioxidant properties are numerous. It’s also delicious and flavorful, which certainly doesn’t hurt!
So, do you peel ginger before juicing? Check out these 5 surprising facts about preparing ginger for juicing. As always, we’re so happy to aid you in your juicing journey!
Why You Should Be Putting Ginger Into Your Juices
The health benefits of ginger are significant. Ginger has definitely become popular as a staple ingredient at health-conscious juice bars for a reason. Here are just some of those possible benefits:
- Aids immune function: ginger is highly anti-inflammatory, making it very helpful in cases of chronic inflammation and immune stress.
- Enhances brain function and fights early signs of aging: Several studies have shown that ginger can improve working memory, cognitive function, and reaction time. It is also an ingredient in many beauty products, prized for its antioxidants.
- Relieves cold and congestion symptoms: Ginger can fight infection and clear the sinuses with its spicy, clear taste.
- Improves digestion and treats chronic indigestion: Ginger can significantly reduce discomfort and improve gut health, particularly for those with chronic nausea and digestive issues. It also is recommended for those suffering morning sickness during pregnancy.
- Assists in pain relief function as an anti-inflammatory: Ginger can soothe chronic pain with its proclivity for antibacterial function and the ability to fight infection and manage pain in the nerves and muscles.
- Lowers cholesterol: Ginger can protect against heart disease and aid in weight loss efforts due to its properties that increase the body’s cholesterol consumption in a healthy way.
- Controls blood pressure and reduces hypertension: It is believed that ginger dilates the blood vessels, which, in turn, lowers the overall blood pressure in the body.
- Fights against gum disease: ginger neutralizes harmful acids that are formed by collected bacteria in the mouth, making it possible for connective tissue of the gums to be preserved.
#1: Peeling Ginger is a Good Idea
So you’ve decided to explore ginger in your juicing journey, but you’re a little intimidated by the root’s tough, beige, and bumpy exterior. Your inner mom voice is saying, “Hey! Don’t put that in your mouth!” Understandable! It’s not exactly a welcoming look for food, however healthy it may be.
But the biggest reason to peel ginger before adding it to your juicer actually might surprise you. Ginger peel is definitely NOT poisonous or otherwise toxic to the human body – your poor juicer, on the other hand, might object.
Ginger peels can be super hard on the mechanical parts of your juicer (and we can guess how much you spent on that thing!!), especially if you end up using it a lot. Even the fanciest masticating juicer will trip up at some point if you’re juicing a couple of non-peeled roots a day.
So do yourself and your hardworking juicer a favor and give your ginger a quick peel before you juice. (Not sure how to peel this bumpy root? We’ve got you. Read on for some peeling tips below.)
The other good news is that there are many ways to recycle the fragrant ginger peel, even if it’s not the best idea to put it directly into your juice. Go ahead and compost it, put it into soup stock, steam it with fresh vegetables for a lovely scent, use it for a marinade, or add it to a tea.
Ginger peel also freezes very well, so don’t feel pressure to use it right away. Keep it around for its versatility as well as its signature spicy, strong character.
Really, the only advantage to NOT peeling ginger before you juice it is the convenience factor. Take our advice and commit to the extra little bit of time to peel your ginger – you won’t regret it!
#2: How To: Preparing Ginger for Juicing
Ok – we’re saving your juicer from a clogged basket and a shorter lifespan. Here’s how to prep your piece(s) of ginger for juicing. We’ll walk you through washing, peeling, and chopping for the best effect.
Washing Ginger before Juicing
Ginger usually doesn’t require a tough scrubbing. A thorough rinse in cold water will do the trick for washing your ginger.
As you wash, don’t forget to check for mold. If the ginger has been in your fridge for longer than you care to admit, no judgment! And actually, if there’s a small amount of mold on the root, that’s ok. Cut that part away, trash it, and examine the rest. If you can’t see any more mold, you’re totally fine to continue using that piece.
If you’ve decided to keep the peel on the ginger, definitely do not skip this step. As we’re all probably aware, most crops are managed and protected through the use of pesticides and/or insecticides. These are powerful chemicals that are not intended for human consumption.
If you’re peeling: obviously, a thorough wash is less crucial since the outer layer of ginger or the skin will be the contaminated portion. You’re free to skip to the chopping part!
Still, it’s best to wash every separate ingredient before you put it into the juicer, which will save your juicer from becoming clogged with dirt and debris and keep your peace of mind regarding the cleanliness of the material. Give the peeled part a rinse.
How To Easily Peel Ginger Before Juicing
Contrary to what you might be thinking, your best friend for this task is not a knife. Instead, it’s a spoon!
Use the concave part of a sturdy teaspoon to shave off the skin of the ginger root. If the ginger is young and fresh, its skin will come off very easily. If it’s a little older, it will have developed a tougher, thicker skin.
Hold the ginger firmly in one hand against your cutting board for the best results. Use the spoon to peel from top to bottom. This method ensures the smallest amount of wasted ginger. And if you’re planning to save the peel, it should come off in nice, long pieces.
If you are really set on using a knife, be sure to choose a small paring knife. Since this means you’ll be cutting in straight lines, remember that this method will waste a greater quantity of usable root that you can put directly into your juicer.
Chopping Ginger Before Juicing
You can snap ginger into pieces – it breaks easily in your hands with a firm enough snap. However, a knife is more precise, but use whatever feels best to you!
Cut the ginger into small slices or chunks to make sure that your juicer doesn’t clog. As a general tip, never put anything too large into your juicer because it will clog the basket or chute and compromise the taste and purity of the final result.
Are you looking for some ginger juice recipes? Look no further: Click here.
#3: What Are the Advantages to Peeling Ginger?
There are a couple of definite advantages to peeling ginger before you juice. Here are the main reasons why many seasoned juicers choose to peel rather than juice their ginger whole and unpeeled.
Your juicer will last longer
As we’ve discussed, one of the most prevalent arguments for peeling ginger before you put it into your juicer is the safety and longevity of the juicer itself. Juicers can vary greatly in size, ability, and mechanism, but one thing is true across the board: the easier you are on it, the longer it will be around to provide you with delicious juices!
The skin of ginger is tough and highly fibrous, so like most high-fiber juice ingredients – such as dark leafy greens and other root vegetables – it’s a common cause of juicer clogs.
While it’s true that most juicers will technically be able to rid the ginger root of its skin without much difficulty, think about the wear and tear on your juicer over time. Peeling takes the rough outer layer of the root away, thereby leaving you a smooth byproduct for safe and easy juicing.
No pesticides or unwanted extras from the peel
What’s also relevant here is the undeniable benefit of cleanliness and purity in a peeled ginger root. By peeling your ginger before juicing, it is a great way to rid it of any pesky pesticides that are hanging around. We want to keep that out of your healthy juice.
If you’re wondering if you are losing any nutritional value by not consuming the peel of your ginger, then don’t worry. The nutrients found in the skin of ginger root aren’t plentiful, and the real nutrition and flavor are found in the “meat” of the root, which you will still have after peeling.
So there you have it: save your expensive piece of kitchen equipment AND don’t miss out on any of the nutritional benefits of this juicing staple.
#4: Does Peeling Ginger Change The Flavor?
Nope! Peeling ginger is not going to significantly affect the flavor of the root itself or lessen its contribution to the final result.
The main changes to the flavor of ginger have to do with the age of the piece of the ginger itself. An older root will have a more earthy, bitter taste, while a younger piece of ginger is going to have a thinner and more delicate skin that tends less toward bitterness and more toward pungency.
In both cases, don’t worry. Peeling or not peeling the ginger will not have a noticeable impact on its flavor. You’ll still get that wonderful, aromatic bite of spice in your juice. And, of course, you’ll benefit as normal from the nutrients in it!
#5: Is Ginger Peel Bad For You?
Ginger peel is perfectly safe to eat. In fact, there are many great ideas for recipes that use ginger peel specifically. The ginger broth is the prime ingredient for tons of these ideas – who knew a simple root could be so versatile?
While the ginger peel is by no means toxic or poisonous and can be consumed whole, we recommend caution while juicing. Remember to care for your kitchen equipment, and it will care for you! And you should certainly always wash your ingredients thoroughly before juicing.
Conclusion – Do You Peel Ginger Before Juicing
If you’ve been lacking the earthy spice of ginger in your juice recipes, give it a try. It’s delicious and healthy! Among other benefits, ginger has been shown to aid greatly in the treatment of nausea, menstrual pain, weight management, and high blood sugar.
Ginger is a perfect addition to your juicing journey. We hope these tips and FAQs provide assistance! Enjoy.
