Candied Ginger

Candied ginger is fresh ginger root that has been peeled, sliced, and cooked in sugar syrup until tender, then coated in sugar. It is a sweet and spicy confection made from the rhizome of the ginger plant, Zingiber officinale. The process preserves the ginger and gives it a chewy texture.

Manufacturers use candied ginger as a flavoring agent and sweetener in baked goods, candies, and desserts. It adds a distinct spicy-sweet flavor and chewy texture to items like cookies, cakes, and fruitcakes. It can also be found in some savory applications, such as marinades and sauces, to add a unique flavor profile.

Candied ginger is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a food ingredient. It is primarily a source of sugar, and like other sweets, excessive consumption can contribute to increased calorie intake. JECFA has evaluated ginger and its extracts, establishing acceptable daily intakes for certain components. While ginger has been studied for various health benefits, such as aiding digestion, these effects are typically associated with ginger in its less processed forms.