When you think of dry ginger, the first thing that comes to your mind is winter, those kadhas forced by your mom to stop your non-stop sneezing or that cup of ginger chai. But what if I told you that dry ginger is not only used in winter but can also be used in summer. Yes, seriously. It all lies in the way you use it, when and how much. 

Let’s get in deep and know the ways of using this spice during hotter months.

What is Dry Ginger?

Keeping the regular ginger in the sun for a few days will dry all the moisture in it and make it dry ginger. After drying, it becomes hard and white. This makes it more intense, and it gives a sharper flavour than the regular, undried ginger. This is commonly used in Indian kitchens and also in Ayurveda. It is added to chutneys, herbal powders and even in sweets for its flavour.

But how does dry ginger become powerful like heating? According to my research, in ayurvedic terms, it’s called ushna veerya, which means it generates digestive heat in the body. This is usually great when the temperature outside is cool. But in summer, I feel a bit off.

Should we avoid ginger in summer?

Here is where most people make a mistake. Just because something is heaty doesn’t mean that you should completely avoid it in summer. It means you should balance it according to your body’s needs.

It’s like a pressure cooker. If your body is already in a 40+ degree heat, adding more internal heat will cause the whistle off, meaning headaches, rashes, acidity or even digestive issues. But using the dry ginger in the right way will actually aid digestion, prevent bloating, and also help in boosting immunity. So the main point to note here is that moderation and method play an important role.

Mistakes with Dry Ginger in Summer

Let’s first get the mistakes out that we were making with dry ginger.

• Don’t mix heat with heat, that is, don’t mix it with other heaty ingredients like pepper, cloves, or too much ajwain. This will end up giving you a feeling like you’ve swallowed a volcano.
• Don’t consume it directly by making its kadha or a hot tea at the peak of noon time. This will just make you dehydrated and dull.
• Don’t consume too much. Adding a pinch is enough and powerful, a teaspoon will be torture.
• Don’t touch dry ginger if you are already facing issues like mouth ulcers, burning sensation or skin rashes. It will provoke it.

The Right Way of Using Dry Ginger

Let’s learn some smart and safe ways of using dry ginger during summer:

1. Start your day in a cooling way

Instead of having those burning kadhas, try this summer-friendly detox water. Let’s see how to make it:

How it works: This drink is gentle on the stomach as it helps you with bloating and also gives the gut cleansing benefits of ginger without overheating the system.

2. Use it in Buttermilk

This is one of the coolest ways, as buttermilk gives a cooling effect to our body. So using sonth, that is dry ginger in buttermilk, gives great benefits.

In a glass of fresh buttermilk, add a pinch of dry ginger, roasted cumin powder, black salt and chopped coriander or mint.

Mix it well, add some ice cubes, and it’s ready to drink.

How it works: This drink works great for digestion, especially when you are feeling bloated or heavy post-lunch. Plus, the cooling nature of curd balances the heat of ginger perfectly.

3. Add it to your Summer Laddoos

There are certain dry fruit laddoos that have cooling ingredients like raisins, figs and almonds. Just adding a pinch of dry ginger powder will help in digestion. Don’t go for besan or methi laddoos in summer as they are heaty in nature. So, stick to lighter versions that naturally have cooling ingredients and also balance with the ginger pinch.

4. Using it in Cooling Herbal mixes

A lot of people make summer sherbets that contain ingredients like rose, kokum and khus. You can also add a tiny pinch of dry ginger to this homemade kokum drink. This adds a great flavour and helps in digestion. But don’t add dry ginger to those store-bought sugary syrups as this will defeat the benefits of it.

5. Adding Steamed dishes and stir-fries

Dry ginger helps those people suffering from gas, bloating or indigestion in summer, but again, the same key is moderation. Try adding it to tempering veggies like bottle gourd, ridge gourd or spinach. Doing this will enhance the taste and also help with the digestion of these watery vegetables that sometimes cause gas.

6. Digestive mix after meals

Eating too much will cause digestive problems. Eating this homemade mix after a meal will help to solve this issue. Let’s see how to make it.

• Take Fennel seeds (saunf)
• Coriander seeds
• Carom seeds (ajwain)
• Dry ginger powder (just a dash)
• A bit of rock sugar (mishri)

How to make it: First, roast them lightly and store them in a glass jar. Chew half a tsp after a meal. This is like an Indian version of digestive candy, and it works like magic.

Benefits of Using Dry Ginger in the Correct Way

If you are using it in the correct way and moderation, you’ll notice the following benefits:

• Improved Digestion
• Reduced water retention
• Better metabolism
• Less lethargy
• Relief from mild seasonal allergies or cold (Yes, even in summer, some people catch it)

Who should avoid dry ginger in summer?

Even after using dry ginger in moderation and smart usage, some people should either avoid it or be extra cautious:

• People with high body heat
• Those prone to rashes, acne or boils.
• Pregnant women should consume under a doctor’s guidance
• Children below 5 (their systems are still delicate)

If you are unsure about your body type, then better to start with a very small quantity and observe how the body reacts.

Final Thought

Our kitchens are filled with healing spices. But to get the entire benefit of a particular spice, we should know how and when to use it. Dry ginger is not just used in winter; using it in moderation will help it shine in summer too.

Just think of it like fire, using it in the right place can cook your food, and in the wrong place, it can burn your house. So this summer, don’t completely ban dry ginger, just convert it into your cooling companion. Stay hydrated, cool and let the ginger do its job smartly and powerfully.