A few years ago, you would have only found Chinese ginger in supermarkets. However, ginger from Peru and Brazil is now starting to appear on our shelves. This is due to availability issues caused by lower harvests, which has led to greater interest and better pricing for Peruvian ginger.

When I first started making my Crystallised Ginger back in Canada in 2016, along with ginger shots, I used Chinese ginger. While I was at a local market in Calgary, Alberta, I discovered ginger from Peru. It was a hobby at first, something delightful to create and gift to other ginger fanatics. A friend of an ex, who managed a gym, absolutely adored my crystallised ginger. Perhaps it was the strong zing from the ginger that could shake off any bodily slump, or simply the burst of energy needed to get through a busy day and be welcomed by little kids upon returning home.

After returning to Ireland, I noticed that the most readily available ginger was organic Peruvian ginger, imported into the Netherlands. In the US, you can readily find Hawaiian and Jamaican ginger in supermarkets. I’ve come across various studies on ginger in general, including its benefits for women during early stages of pregnancy. I have provided a few links at the bottom for you to explore some interesting ginger facts. I have also noticed ginger from Peru and Brazil appearing on supermarket shelves. However, I find the plastic packaging it often comes in to be unnecessary, much like with some vegetables.

Desiring to incorporate sustainable ingredients led me to consider the differences in farming approaches between Peru and the over-fertilized and heavily grazed growing areas of China. In Peru, there is a strong connection to nature and Mother Earth, referred to as Pachamama by the indigenous people of the Andes. Pachamama is viewed as a goddess nurturing fertility in planting and harvesting, while also being attributed to crop failures and earthquakes.