Galangal
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Galangal (/ˈɡæləŋˌɡæl/[1]) is a common name for several tropical rhizomatous spices.
Differentiation
The word galangal, or its variant galanga or archaically galingale, can refer in common usage to the aromatic rhizome of any of four plant species in the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family, namely:
- Alpinia galanga, also called greater galangal, lengkuas or laos
- Alpinia officinarum, or lesser galangal
- Boesenbergia rotunda, also called Chinese ginger or fingerroot
- Kaempferia galanga, also called kencur, black galangal or sand ginger
The term galingale is sometimes also used for the rhizome of the unrelated sweet cyperus (Cyperus longus), traditionally used as a folk medicine in Europe.
Uses
Culinary
Various galangal rhizomes are used in traditional
In commerce, galangals are commonly available in Asian markets as whole fresh rhizome, or in dried and sliced, or powdered form.
Medical
In ethnobotany, galangal has been reported to be used for its purported merits in promoting digestion and alleviating respiratory diseases and stomach problems. Each galangal variety has been attributed specific medical virtues.[2][3]
References
- ^ "galangal". Oxford English Dictionary (Third ed.). Oxford University Press. November 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ "What is Galangal? Your Guide to the Spice of Life". Healthy Hildegard. February 16, 2016.
- ^ "Keittosanasto: Keittotaito – ruoanvalmistuksen opas". www.keittotaito.com (in Finnish).