Press Release
GINGER ALERT!
There is currently a severe shortage of Hawaii ginger. Earlier last year China flooded the US market with a lot of cheap ginger. Many Hawaii ginger growers decided to cut their losses for the next season and did not plant ginger or planted another crop. Ginger is planted in March and April and starts to mature around November to December. In July of 2007, there was a recall of Chinese ginger because it was contaminated with a toxic pesticide.
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/cdph207_07.html
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_6515171
http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/speccrop/ginger.pdf
This mix of events brought us to the current situation: a huge shortage of local ginger, more than double the price per pound, and possibly no ginger soon. So while I have been able to get local ginger, I must temporarily raise the price of my 16.5 oz. ginger syrups to $16 to offset SOME of the cost of the ginger. If the price of ginger continues to soar or if I simply can’t find a supply, I will discontinue producing the ginger syrups until November when supply and price should get back to normal. Hawaiian ginger farmers scrambled to plant seed ginger for harvest late 2008. Phew!
Please support your local farmers. Mahalo for your understanding and I’ll keep you posted!
Cheryl To, PACIFIKOOL
http://www.hawaii-arukikata.com/index.html
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Hawaiian
Ginger
This is the locally grown ginger root that is familiar for its' spicy and pungent aroma, and its’ peppery and sweet flavor. Ginger settles an upset stomach, prevents motion sickness, eases morning sickness and helps with high blood pressure. Ginger has many medicinal applications that go back thousands of years and as many recipes that use it as an ingredient.
Thai
Ginger
Thai Ginger, also called Galangal/Galanga, is very different in aroma from Hawaiian ginger. It is very fragrant with a camphor quality. Raw it is as spicy as regular ginger, but when processed becomes more delicate than the Hawaiian Ginger Syrup. Like other members of the ginger family, galangal is warming and comforting to the digestion. Thai Ginger Syrup pairs well with fruit and herb teas.