Many foods in the UK are related to ginger, such as gingerbread, ginger biscuits, ginger beer, ginger tea, and seasonings made from pure ginger. Fresh ginger is also sold directly in British markets.
Ginger beer is a traditional ginger drink invented by the British. Strictly speaking, ginger beer is not considered an alcoholic beverage, but a soft drink made by adding ginger to soda and fruit juice.
Many British people love ginger beer because it contains no alcohol yet provides the taste of beer and is refreshing. Therefore, ginger beer is not only widely sold in markets but also homemade by many families. The most common method is to boil a piece of fresh ginger to make a juice, then add a lemon, honey or brown sugar, and mix with an appropriate amount of water.
Ginger tea is also a favorite drink of the British, similar to the ginger soup that Chinese people drink to treat colds.
The method for making British ginger tea is very simple: just add a piece of fresh ginger when brewing tea, add sugar, and let it steep for over ten minutes.
Ginger is popular in the UK not only because ginger-flavored foods have a unique taste, but also because the medicinal value of ginger has been recognized by the British. In the UK, ginger-flavored foods have traditionally been used to treat morning sickness in pregnant women and alleviate cold symptoms.
Recently, British researchers discovered that ginger is rich in antioxidants, which can effectively regulate the digestive system and reduce diarrhea caused by improper diet. Other studies have shown that some components of ginger can reduce cholesterol absorption by blood vessels and the liver, help enhance heart function, and assist in treating coronary heart disease. In addition, the essence extracted from ginger can also be used to treat migraines, motor disorders, and arthritis.