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.

🇮🇩 Indonesia and 3 moreTemulawak The rhizome of a Javanese ginger relative, used for its earthy flavour and traditional wellness drinks.Root · Earthy and deep · Bitter

🇮🇳 India and 4 moreEast Indian arrowrootകൂവ A wild South Asian ginger valued for its turmeric-scented foliage and starchy rhizome.Root · Earthy and deep · Herbal and green

🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreCalifornian white sage An aromatic desert shrub whose seeds flavour maize foods and roots make tonic teaSeed · Herbal and green · Sharp and pungent

🇮🇩 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 🇨🇳 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 5 moreKencur沙姜 A stemless ginger-family rhizome with a peppery, camphorous biteRoot · Sharp and pungent · Herbal and green

🇺🇸 United States and 4 moreSassafras An aromatic tree of North America and East Asia, famed for filé powder and root teaLeaf · Citrus and bright · Anise and liquorice

🇮🇳 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