Gary Poster, with essential assists from Galyn Norwood, Phiroon Phihakendr, Jose Quijada, Pavandeep Kalra. Smart Bites Look for fresh ginger that's firm to the touch and without blemishes. If it appears wrinkled, soft, or moldy, it's past its prime. The larger the ginger, the older and more pungent the flavor.
Younger ginger has a thin, pale skin and a mild taste.
When slicing fresh ginger, cut as thinly as possible across the fibers. It's not necessary to peel ginger before using, unless it's large and has a tough skin. Store fresh, unpeeled ginger tightly wrapped in the refrigerator up to three weeks. Ginger may also be sliced, chopped, or minced, and stored in zip-top plastic bags in the freezer for up to 6 months. Fresh and ground ginger each provide a distinct flavor, but they occasionally may be substituted for one another.