The Ginger People

This is not a Ginger Rodgers fan club gone wild.  Instead these good folks create ginger-based foodstuffs.  I first encountered them on a foray through Trader Joe's where their Ginger Chews candy looked appealing.  I must say they weren't kidding when they named them "chews."  It takes several minutes to eat one and then more minutes to clean the residue out from between yur teeth. 

Established in 1984, Ginger People have locations in Marina, CA and Queensland, Australia where they make crystalized ginger in covered vats which is said to deepen the ginger flavor. 

The candy wrapper gives their Web site -- gingerpeople.com -- so I went calling on them.  I discovered that in their minds, ginger is a miracle drug, no more, no less.  Upset stomach?  Drink Lemon Ginger Beer!  Sore throat?  Ginger Soother with ginger, honey, lemon and fizzy water.  They also claim that ginger MAY fight obesity, cancer, sore muscles, arthritis and can boost the immune system.  Perhaps these claims are valid, but I bet you would have to eat 10 lbs. of ginger a day to find out.  I like ginger, but...

Ginger Ale is an old remedy for an upset stomach. Richie's mother gave him ginger ale when he was a child and 71 years later, it's still his "drug of choice." 

The Web site has a store directory and it was a happy discovery that Whole Foods, 405 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo, stocks their line.  I'm interested in their sauces -- Spicy Ginger Teryaki and Hot Ginger Jalapeno; meh on the Thai Green Curry.  I'm thinking about steamed shrimp doused in Ginger Jalapeno ...

Why, yes, they do make Ginger Snaps!