Ginger-Harvest and storage

Ginger grown for vegetable purpose reaches harvesting maturity in six months. For dry ginger, the crop matures in 8-9 month. Drying of leaf is an indication of maturity.

The rhizome is the economic part of ginger. The rhizomes are digged out carefully without causing damage. The leaf and soil attached to it are removed by washing.

Rhizomes are soaked in water overnight and then cleaned. The skin is removed by scrapping with sharp bamboo splits or such other materials. Never use metallic substances since they will discolour the rhizomes.

After scrapping, the rhizomes are sun dried for a week with frequent turnings. They are again rubbed well by hand to remove any outer skin.