Galangal

Galangal
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Subclass: Zingiberidae Order: Zingiberales Family: Zingiberaceae Genus: Alpinia
Species
Alpinia galanga Alpinia mutica Alpinia officinarum Alpinia purpurata Alpinia zerumbet Ref: ITIS 182548

Galangal isrootculinarymedicinal uses, best known inwest todayits appearanceThai cuisine but also commonrecipes from medieval Europe. It resembles gingerappearancetaste but has an extra citrus aroma, withslight hintsoapiness. Itavailable aspowder from vendorsOriental spiceswhole, cut, or powdered from vendorsherbs. Also known as galingale or Laos (its Indonesian name). Coincidentally, itone ofmost prominent herbsLao cuisine.

The word galangal, or its variant galangaused ascommon nameall membersAlpinia, butcommon usage can referthree plants, all inzingiberaceae:

• Alpinia galanga or Greater galangal
• Alpinia officinarum or Lesser galangal
• Kaempferia galanga, also called chinese ginger or fingerroot

A. galangaalso known as Chewing John, Little John ChewGalanga Root. Under these names, itusedfolk medicinein voodoo charms.