Switching to whole spices can be disconcerting for cooks who grew up knowing them only as dull-colored powders in identical jars. The difference between fresh and dried is especially stark with ginger, which instead of a pale yellow powder is a fresh, juicy root. Many recipes begin by peeling the ginger, but the peel is edible and that step is usually optional.

Ginger belongs to a large and varied family of tropical plants, which includes cardamoms, turmeric and even bananas. Like potatoes, the large hand-shaped rhizomes will sprout new ginger plants if they're given the opportunity. Ginger contains a number of volatile compounds, giving it a bright, citrusy, peppery flavor when it's fresh. Some of those volatile compounds are lost when the ginger is dried, and others change their chemical structure, which is why dried ginger is both stronger and less complex than fresh.

Ginger rhizomes are pale yellow and very juicy inside, with a thin, tan-colored skin. The skin is removed before ginger is dried and ground, but fresh ginger is almost always sold with the peel on. When the ginger is at its freshest, the skins are thin, smooth and have a faint sheen. As the rhizomes age they lose moisture and shrink, and their peel becomes increasingly thick and woody. Like the skin of the potato, it's entirely edible and -- like the rest of the root -- high in fiber, so deciding whether or not to leave it on is a personal and aesthetic choice.

When ginger is sliced thinly for soups, sauces and broths, the skin can be left on as a time-saver for the cook. Even a thick, woody skin can't be detected when the ginger is sliced very thinly, and the slices are often removed from the finished product before serving. If the ginger is to be marinated, pickled or shredded and fried as a garnish to the main dish, it's usually peeled to give the ginger a better appearance. Peels can be left on slices used in tea or other beverages, and this is often a way to use up the flavorful but unsightly skins peeled from the ginger for other uses.

It's best to remove the peel once the ginger begins to dry and shrivel, and especially if it displays visible signs of mold. At this stage the best tool for removing the peel is a small, sharp paring knife. When the ginger is fresher and the peel is thin and fine, you can use a conventional peeler to remove it. Alternatively, scrape the peel using the dull back of a knife rather than cutting it away with the sharp blade. Some cooks prefer to use the edge of a spoon, which removes the skin without wasting any of the flesh underneath.