Roots and rhizomes of the world

A root or rhizome: knobbly, ringed and bright inside. Turmeric, ginger and galangal grow this way.

Root spices are the underground stems and roots of plants, such as turmeric, ginger, galangal, horseradish and wasabi. They are used fresh, dried or ground.

What they are

Turmeric, ginger and galangal are rhizomes, which are underground stems, while horseradish and some others are true roots. They are lifted after the plant dies back, washed and used fresh, or boiled, dried and ground. Turmeric gives a yellow colour and mild earthy taste, ginger a warm bite, and galangal a pine and citrus scent.

How they are used

Fresh roots are grated, sliced or pounded into pastes, as in Thai and Indonesian cooking. Dried ground roots go into curry powders, gingerbread, pickles and drinks. Many roots are also used as dyes and offerings.

Buying and keeping

Choose firm, plump roots without wrinkles or mould. Fresh ginger keeps for weeks in a cool place or the fridge, and can be frozen. Dried root powders should be kept in closed jars, away from light.

Root on EveryMasala

The spices written up so far, best known first.

🇮🇳 India and 2 moreWild turmericKasthuri Manjal A South Asian rhizome with a musky scent, used for colouring and skin care.Root · Warm and sweet-spiced

🇮🇳 IndiaErode TurmericErodu Manjal A Geographical Indication turmeric from Tamil Nadu with high curcumin content.Root · Earthy and deep · Bitter

🇦🇫 Afghanistan and 5 moreLovageлюбисток A tall European herb with celery-like leaves and spicy seeds used in soups and broths.Leaf · Sharp and pungent · Herbal and green

🇮🇩 Indonesia and 5 moreGreater galangalข่า The pungent rhizome of a ginger relative, essential in Southeast Asian soups and curries.Root · Sharp and pungent · Citrus and bright 🇨🇳 China and 4 moreLesser galangal高良薑 An aromatic Asian rhizome with orange flesh and a sweet, gentle spiceRoot · Sweet and mellow · Warm and sweet-spiced 🇮🇩 Indonesia and 3 moreGalangal The pungent rhizome of the ginger family, essential to Southeast Asian soups and pastes.Root · Sharp and pungent · Warm and sweet-spiced

🇮🇩 Indonesia and 5 moreGinger The pungent rhizome of a flowering perennial, one of the world's most traded spices.Root · Hot and fiery · Sharp and pungent

🇮🇳 IndiaBlack turmeric A blue-skinned rhizome from northeast India, boiled and dried for its camphor scent.Root · Warm and sweet-spiced

🇮🇳 India and 5 moreTurmericहल्दी The dried rhizome of a tropical ginger relative, prized for its golden color and earthy bite.Root · Warm and sweet-spiced · Bitter

🇮🇳 India and 5 moreGinger The pungent rhizome of a flowering plant, widely used as a spice and folk medicine.Root · Hot and fiery · Sharp and pungent

Roots and rhizomes