Why Is Sushi Ginger Pink? (Solved!)

Most sushi lovers have encountered pink ginger alongside their sushi rolls. Besides its beautiful appearance, it’s also delicious. But have you ever wondered why sushi ginger is pink?

In Japanese, pickled ginger, referred to as gari, is created by preserving thin slices of immature ginger with a pinkish tint.

The pink hue of pickled vegetables deepens and becomes more noticeable when preserved in vinegar and sugar. For this reason, gari is sometimes referred to as “pink ginger.”

Keep on reading to learn more about sushi ginger’s pink color.

What Color Should Sushi Ginger Be?

Sushi ginger is typically pink because of the preparation process. However, some restaurants serve white and beige ginger.

The reason why pink ginger is more common is due to custom.

Sushi culture places a high value on aesthetics, and this is no exception. It’s just the way things are done to make the ginger more visually appealing.

Traditionally, sushi presentation relies heavily on the use of this ingredient.

Some say it should be taken before or after sushi as a palate cleanser, while others say it’s meant to be consumed with the meal itself.

Initially, however, it was employed to help combat the harmful microorganisms that are frequently found in raw foods.

Gari’s pickling process gives it a light yellow to pink color when made in the old-fashioned way. However, only very young ginger can acquire a pinkish hue spontaneously.

Whether to accentuate the pink hue or because the ginger was too old to turn pink during pickling, many commercially made gari brands are typically dyed pink.

This is done either chemically or naturally, using E124 or beet juice.

When it comes to pickled ginger in sushi restaurants, the color of the serving bowl frequently dictates whether the ginger is natural or pink.

If you’re at a restaurant, for example, the color of your ginger isn’t a big deal—it won’t make a difference when it comes to taste.

What Makes Sushi Ginger Pink?

Pickling brings out the pink color of immature ginger roots, which does exist in nature on its own. Fresh young ginger’s pink tips are responsible for the hue.

For pickling, young ginger is recommended because of its thin skin and sensitive texture, which makes it easier to slice thinly.

Because ripe ginger is so readily available, it is possible to make gari with ginger that’s more on the golden, ripe side.

A spoon usually works better than a conventional vegetable peeler for peeling ginger, regardless of the variety.

Only the freshest ginger is used to prepare gari. Natural sweetness and transparent skin characterize the flavor.

Within two to three minutes of coming into contact with the vinegar solution, the ginger becomes pink.

What’s the Difference Between White and Pink Ginger?

What are the actual differences in the pink ginger vs. white ginger debate?

First of all, these two types of ginger are not always available. Sushi ginger is only accessible in the early summer, although fully developed ginger may be found year-round at the market.

Another slight difference regards the taste.

Due to the volatile chemicals such as gingerols, baby ginger used in gari has a moderate flavor.

In contrast, mature ginger is quite spicy. Of course, these chemicals are also responsible for the distinct difference between the color of immature ginger buds and the color of mature ginger.

They are also different regarding how difficult it is to prepare them.

The pale and juicy meat inside the immature buds is readily snapped open. The interior flesh of old ginger is generally yellowish and hard to shatter.

To make gari, you’ll need thin, soft young ginger as old mature ginger is tricky and bulbous.

The outer shell of young sushi ginger is so thin that peeling is unnecessary. To remove it, you can easily use a spoon or a piece of rubbing alcohol.

You can also make pickled ginger at home by slicing ginger into thin slices and trimming off the ends.

In Summary

The answer to the why is sushi ginger pink question lies in the presentation.

Pink and white ginger have very similar flavors. The only thing that differs is how the ginger is presented. The pink ginger is more eye-catching than the white ginger on a sushi dish.

On the other hand, pickled ginger can be pink for a few days, but it will ultimately become white or yellowish when made at home.

The pickle is still edible – the flavor won’t change – but the color will fade.