When you first taste ginger, you’ll likely notice its pungent, spicy, and slightly sweet flavor. This distinctive taste sets it apart from other spices, making it a primary ingredient in many cuisines and beverages worldwide. Join us as we dive into the root of this root, and why we decided to build an OLIPOP flavor (hint: Ginger Ale!) featuring this complex and captivating ingredient.

What Is Ginger?

Ginger is a flowering plant with a thick, knobby, and aromatic root commonly used as a spice and herbal remedy. The scientific name of ginger is Zingiber officinale.¹ It belongs to the family Zingiberaceae, which also includes turmeric and cardamom.² The ginger plant is native to Southeast Asia but is now cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions around the world. 

History & Common Uses of Ginger

Ginger has a unique pungent and slightly sweet flavor, which makes it a popular spice in various cuisines worldwide. Ginger's spiciness gives it a zing or a kick that adds depth to dishes. It’s not as overpowering as other spices, but it still imparts a noticeable heat that can be soothing to some and a little surprising to others, particularly if you're not accustomed to it. 

You’ll find ginger in sweet and savory dishes such as curries, stir-fries, soups, and baked goods (think: gingerbread!). Additionally, ginger is an essential ingredient in many traditional beverages like ginger tea, ginger ale, and ginger beer.

Besides its culinary uses, ginger has long been known for its health benefits in various cultures. It contains bioactive compounds, including gingerol and shogaols, which are responsible for ginger’s characteristic flavor and potential health benefits.¹ Ginger has long been known for supporting digestion. 

Ginger is available in different forms, such as fresh ginger root, dried ginger powder, candied ginger, and ginger supplements. When using fresh ginger, you can peel and grate it for cooking or make ginger tea by steeping sliced ginger in hot water. 

Ginger Nutrition

Ginger is a low-calorie spice with a relatively small amount of fat and protein. Its main component is carbohydrates, primarily in the form of dietary fiber. The dietary fiber in ginger contributes to its potential health benefits, aiding in digestion and promoting gut health.

Here are the approximate nutrition facts for 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of raw ginger:³

• Calories: 80 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 17.8 grams
• Dietary fiber: 2 grams
• Sugars: 1.7 grams
• Protein: 1.8 grams
• Fat: 0.8 grams
• Vitamin C: 5 mg (8% of the Daily Value)
• Vitamin B6: 0.16 mg (8% of the Daily Value)
• Iron: 0.6 mg (3% of the Daily Value)
• Potassium: 415 mg (12% of the Daily Value)
• Magnesium: 43 mg (11% of the Daily Value)

It's important to note that the nutritional content of ginger can vary slightly depending on its freshness, variety, and preparation. For example, dried ginger powder may have a different nutritional profile from fresh ginger. While ginger is not typically consumed in large quantities, incorporating it into your diet can add unique flavor and potential health benefits to your meals. 

Why Is Ginger in OLIPOP?

OLIPOP Ginger Ale pays homage to this classic soda but with a modern twist. It features a combination of delicious juices from sweet lime, quince, and real ginger for a uniquely sophisticated yet nostalgic taste. 

Why feature ginger in our OLIPOP Ginger Ale? We think the question is less why and more, why not? Ginger ale has long been an O.G. in the soda aisle. And it's about time we put our own OLIPOP twist on this classic beverage. Pop open a can and give this flavor a try yourself. 

Sources

1. Ginger. (n.d.). Mount Sinai Health System. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/ginger
2. Poulson, B., Horowitz, D., & Trevino, H. M. (n.d.). Ginger. In University of Rochester Medical Center. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=19&contentid=Ginger
3. FoodData Central. (2019, April 1). U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169231/nutrients