Ginger root, pickled, canned, with artificial sweetener
Whole food · Vegetables and Vegetable Products
This is ginger root that has been peeled, sliced or julienned, and preserved in a vinegar-based brine, often with sugar or, in this case, an artificial sweetener. It offers a signature crisp-tender texture with a sharp, acidic tang that mellows into a warm, spicy-sweet aftertaste. Nutritionally, it's a very low-calorie condiment, with its 2.6g of fiber per 100g being a notable feature.
Calorie split: 6% protein · 90% carbs · 4% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it as a palate-cleansing bite between sushi courses or as a zesty, spicy-sweet garnish that cuts through rich, fatty foods. Its vibrant color and unique flavor make it a beloved staple in Asian cuisine and a versatile condiment for adding a kick to sandwiches and salads.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is its high sodium content from the brine, which can be a concern for those monitoring salt intake. The vinegar can also be harsh on sensitive teeth or an already irritated stomach. To mitigate sodium, rinse slices briefly under water; for dental sensitivity, consume it with other foods rather than alone.
Key benefits
- Extremely low in calories and sugar-free.
- Provides dietary fiber from the ginger itself.
- May help settle an upset stomach or nausea.
- Adds bold flavor without added fat or sugar.
- Long shelf life due to pickling.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The iconic pink hue of many commercial pickled gingers is often from a natural colorant, not the ginger itself; traditionally, it was made with red shiso leaves.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 92.3 g |
| Energy | 20.0 kcal |
| Energy | 85.0 kj |
| Protein | 0.33 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.10 g |
| Ash | 2.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 4.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 0.60 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 74.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.28 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 4.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 2.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 36.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 906 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.04 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.02 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.47 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.02 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 0.02 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.15 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg |
| Folate, total | 1.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 1.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 1.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 10.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.18 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.2 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.04 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.00 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.03 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Ginger root, raw — USDA does not publish this profile for Ginger root.
| Tryptophan | 0.01 g |
| Threonine | 0.04 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.05 g |
| Leucine | 0.07 g |
| Lysine | 0.06 g |
| Methionine | 0.01 g |
| Cystine | 0.01 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.04 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.02 g |
| Valine | 0.07 g |
| Arginine | 0.04 g |
| Histidine | 0.03 g |
| Alanine | 0.03 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.21 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.16 g |
| Glycine | 0.04 g |
| Proline | 0.04 g |
| Serine | 0.04 g |
FAQ
Is pickled ginger the same as candied ginger?
No. Pickled ginger (gari) is preserved in vinegar and salt (or sweetener) for a tangy, spicy flavor. Candied ginger is simmered in sugar syrup and then coated in sugar, making it a sweet confection.
Why is it served with sushi?
It's traditionally used as a palate cleanser between different types of sushi, allowing you to appreciate the distinct flavor of each piece. It's not meant to be eaten in the same bite as the sushi.
Can I use it in cooking?
Absolutely. It's excellent chopped into stir-fries, added to marinades for a tangy kick, blended into dressings, or used as a topping for grain bowls and avocado toast.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.20 kcal/g · 7% calories from protein · 2.6 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 25.17 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.