January 24, 2018
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【我畏寒系列】薑唔止越老越辣！
不同的薑不同功效
說起薑，你可能只會想到薑就一定是溫熱，其實這不過只適用在我們最常用來驅寒的生薑，原來薑在不同的「歲數」也會有不一樣的功效和屬性，味道也不同！其實除了一般大大舊的肉薑外，還有小黃薑，也是生薑的一種，但顏色較深而且薑味較濃，不少老一輩都喜歡以小黃薑煲薑茶。
嫩薑﹣即是我們平常會吃到的子薑，皮的顏色仍然偏白，帶紫紅的皮，辣味較輕，而且多汁，有開胃醒肺的功效，主要作為行水及消水腫，屬性微溫，因此多在夏日時吃醃製的子薑來醒胃。
生薑﹣是我們最常用到的薑，也被稱為粉薑，是比嫩薑較老的薑。主要功效是暖胃止嘔、發汗散寒，舒緩風寒感冒、脾胃虛寒、及暖宮。至於薑皮則可利水消腫。
老薑﹣待薑老化後才採掘的就是老薑，由於薑肉纖維化，相對較多渣，皮呈灰土色，但薑愈老的辣味就愈濃，屬性為熱，驅寒的功效特別強，最可令身體提升體溫和代謝。
薑母﹣當老薑繼續生長不採掘的話，明年就會有新子薑在旁長出，這時候的薑就是薑母。薑母屬性溫，同樣有驅風散寒的作用，對調經止痛及活血化瘀特別有用，所以台灣人傾向以薑母入饌調經。
Healing effects of different types of ginger
You probably just think of warmth when it comes to ginger. But actually, ginger of different ‘ages’ have different taste, effects and nature. Aside from the usual ginger you see, there is also small turmeric which is a type of raw ginger. They are darker in color and have a stronger flavor, a lot of people like to make ginger tea with that.
Tender ginger- this ginger’s skin is still quite white. Those with hint of purplish red skin will be spicier and juicier. Has healing effect of stimulating appetite, helps to promote fluid circulation and reduce water retention. They are slightly warm in nature and usually pickled in the summer time as an appetitive.
Raw ginger- this is the most common type of ginger and it’s slightly more aged than tender ginger. It can warm the stomach and relieve vomiting, promote perspiration and dispel cold. Helps to relieve cold-wind flu, weak and asthenic spleen and stomach, and warm the uterus. The ginger skin can promote diuresis and relieve water retention.
Aged ginger- this ginger is harvested after its been aged. The meat has more fiber and the skin is darker brown in color. The older the ginger the spicier it is and it is hot in nature. It has a stronger effect to dispel cold and helps to increase body temperature and metabolism.
Ginger mother- if you let aged ginger continue to grow without harvesting, new ginger root will grow on the side of it and this is now a ginger mother. Ginger mother is warm in nature, can also dispel wind and cold. It is especially suitable for relieving menstrual pain and promotes blood circulation to relieve bruising. It is commonly used in Taiwan as a way to regulate menstruation.
