Our ginger oil is the first in Jedwards’ essential oils product line to utilize supercritical CO2 as an extraction method as opposed to the more widely used steam distillation and cold pressed methods. This results in an extremely pure oil, which carries over more of the original organoleptic characteristics of ginger root into the final product.
Ancient Roots, A Brief History of Ginger
Possibly the world’s most widely cultivated herb, ginger is believed to have originated in Southeastern Asia (perhaps native to India). It is now extensively grown as a commercial crop in Australia, both south and Southeast Asia, tropical Africa (specifically Nigeria and Sierra Leone), Latin America and the Caribbean (Jamaica). The scientific name for ginger (Zingiber) is thought to be derived from Greek zingiberis, from Sanskrit singabera, meaning “spice.”
The importance of ginger (as a spice) was recorded in Greek literature, circa 200 BC. Even the writings of Confucius referenced the significance of ginger in his Analects. Of the original commodities traded along the Silk Road, ginger was one of the first oriental spices to arrive in Europe via the Greeks and Romans. In ancient Chinese culture, prosperity and affluence were associated with ginger farmers. In the late Middle Ages, a pound of ginger was worth as much as a sheep. Marco Polo mentioned ginger in his memoirs; Vasco da Gama and Pedro Alvarez Cabral were instrumental in ginger’s western evolution into Portugal. In the early 16th century, Cortes contributed to the propagation of ginger into the West Indies and Mexico. According to early Jamaican records, ginger production became so prolific during the 16th and 17th centuries that by 1547, one thousand tons of ginger were exported from the West Indies to Spain. By the end of the 17th century, the Dutch had gained complete control of the Caribbean spice trade. Fast forward to the end of the 18th century – the US becomes involved in the world spice trade, trading American salmon, codfish, tobacco, cotton, etc. for eastern commodities which included ginger, among other spices. Currently, the most important western trading center for spices are New York, Hamburg and London whereas Singapore is the main Eastern port.
