Irregular bulb of the ginger plant. Hot and spicy in taste. Slice ginger and freeze separately slices. Keeps in the freezer indefinitely. Peel ginger and store in rice wine. Slice and use as needed. It is an indispensable ingredient in every Chinese cuisine. Look for firm, unwrinkled roots and store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. The brown skin is usually peeled off before use. Ground ginger cannot be substituted for fresh.