How to Distinguish Vietnamese Ginger and Chinese Ginger

Ginger is a popular spice in many Vietnamese family dishes. Not only does it make meals more delicious, but ginger is also a valuable medicine. However, the market is flooded with ginger varieties, making it difficult for consumers to single out. This post gives you a guide on how to distinguish Vietnamese Ginger and Chinese Ginger.

How to Distinguish Vietnamese Ginger and Chinese Ginger

1. Size of Ginger

In size, Vietnamese ginger is smaller than Chinese one. Chinese ginger is about 2 – 3 times larger than Vietnamese ginger.

2. Shape of Ginger

Vietnamese ginger has a small shape with many small branches and a lot of ginger eyes. While Chinese ginger has a large, plump, middle stem and quite a few small branches. These branches are usually round, not long, small, and skinny. Therefore, Chinese ginger looks more eye-catching than Vietnamese ginger.

3. Color of Ginger

It’s very clear in the appearance. Vietnamese ginger is yellow or dark brown. You should focus on whether the soil is still on the ginger stem. In contrast, Chinese ginger is usually lighter yellow. It’s very smooth and clean because all the soil has been washed.

4. Ginger stem

Vietnamese ginger has many fibers and clear circular veins. Meanwhile, the main stem of Chinese ginger has fewer fibers and paler veins.

5. Peel of Ginger

Vietnamese ginger has small roots and rough skin. It also has many ginger eyes and crevices. So it is very difficult to scrape the peel. People often have to cut it into many parts to easily scrape the peel off. Meanwhile, Chinese ginger’s peel is usually free of dirt, smooth, even, and easy to scrape.

5. Aromatic of Ginger

It’s easy to realize that Vietnamese ginger offers a strong, spicy aroma. While Chinese ginger usually has little or no smell.

6. Flavor of Ginger

Vietnamese ginger is famous for being spicy, and aromatic. It has a unique flavor. Whether is a side dish or a spice, it is delicious and attractive. Although Chinese ginger looks appealing and is easy to prepare, its flavor is very bland. It is not so spicy and aromatic, and when cooking, people have to add a lot to get the aroma.

7. Ginger price

When it comes to the price, fresh Vietnamese ginger is usually a little cheaper than Chinese ginger. 

Conclusion

Vietnamese ginger has a yellow color with a small main stem, rough skin and more fibers. It has many branches, veins, and eyes with soil around it. In terms of flavor, ginger from Vietnam has a strong, spicy flavor and aroma. Meanwhile, Chinese ginger has paler yellow and is usually free of soil, has large, round roots, smooth, soft skin, few veins, and is very easy to peel. Its flavor is less spicy than the Vietnamese one. With the above guide, you can be confident to distinguish Vietnamese ginger and Chinese one.

Havigo Company Limited operates in the field of agricultural export. We wish to bring high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products such as spices, rice, beans, and fruits… to the world. We supply you with high-quality products at the best price. If you find interested in importing premium Vietnamese Ginger, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for better support via WhatsApp: +84 979 58 58 56.