What Does Ginger Taste Like?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 26, 2020

Ginger has a warm, spicy taste that is sometimes described as peppery. It is one of the few spices that is used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Different cooking techniques can vary the taste of ginger dramatically. Fresh ginger has a pungent aroma and sharp, spicy flavor; it is used in soups, stir fries and teas. When used in roasted or slow cooked dishes, ginger has a more mellow taste and a warm, woody flavor. Ground and dried ginger is used to bake cookies, cakes and pumpkin pies. It provides a soft, spicy flavor and is often used in combination with other spices such as cinnamon, cloves, pepper and curry.