Ginger adds a fragrant zest to both sweet and savory foods. The pleasantly spicy รขโ‚ฌล“kickรขโ‚ฌย from the root of zingiber officinale, the ginger plant, is what makes ginger ale, ginger tea, candies and many asian รขโ‚ฌยฆ Ginger (zingiber officinale) is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine.