How to Make Ginger Powder

Ginger is not an herb that I used on a regular basis and for most people living in the west and following the SAD (Standard American Diet) ginger is not a part of our daily consumption. I would use it occasionally in certain recipes or stir fry dishes but that was about it. As I started to learn about the health benefits of common herbs and spices I discovered that there are multiple research studies showing promising health benefits to ginger. Many of these benefits are things I need in my life. Who doesn't need some more anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories in their diet? But wait, it helps with weight loss too? As someone who has Hashimotos and knows the struggle of maintaining a healthy weight I was super excited to learn that this small change could have a positive impact on my long term health.

For more information about ginger or to download your own copy, click the link to a free PDF.
Knowing all of these health benefits was great, but how was I going to be more intentional about getting this into my diet. Yes, you can buy ginger pills or chews at the store and that is a good option. However, I wanted to be sure I was getting pure ginger root with no fillers. I also have a brand new Excalibur food dehydrator that I love. https://excaliburdehydrator.com/ So, I decided to make my own ginger powder.
Making ginger powder is probably one of the most easy foods to dehydrate. If you do not have a food dehydrator I highly recommend getting one. They use less energy than an oven and don't heat up your house. They are also made to distribute air flow throughout and don't cook food. However, you can also use your oven on a very low temperature. 135 degrees but no more than 150 degrees.

Step 1
Choose organic ginger that snaps off easily. If it snaps off easily without any stringy fibers it is best for dehydrating. Prepare the ginger by rinsing and drying it.

Step 2
Peel the ginger. I use a vegetable peeler and a knife. you need a little bit of patience to get in the nooks and crannies.

Step 3
Slice ginger into small pieces and spread evenly on dehydrator tray. Dry at 105 degrees for 2-4 hours or until there is no moisture left. If using an oven bake between 130-150 degrees about 1-2 hours. Check every 30 minutes to make sure it doesn't burn.

Step 4
Once ginger is dry let cool. Grind in a coffee grinder into a powder. Store in an
airtight container for up to 6 months.
This can now be used to make tea, sprinkled on toast or used in recipes. It is much more potent and fresh tasting compared to pre-packaged ginger from the grocery store.
Let me know if you tried this recipe and how you used it. As always, thanks for sharing.
©The Home Sanctuary 2021