In the Know Having originated from the tropical rainforests of the Indian subcontinent and Southern Asia, ginger root was one of the very first spices that arrived in Europe from the Orient during the spice trade (along with turmeric, cardamom, pepper, and, yes, even opium.) The English colonists and the Spanish conquistadores brought ginger to regions that hadn't known of the spice's delightful qualities. The Americans, both North and South, as well as those living in the South Pacific and Caribbean, created new uses for ginger, including seduction (as an aphrodisiac), staving off illness, and, yes, even for magic spells (to bring wealth, love, and success). Today, India accounts for 30% of the world's production of ginger, with China, Nepal, and Indonesia also contributing. What Exactly is Ginger Root? Ginger root is commonly known as just plain ol' ginger. Ginger root is so named due to its rhizome, which is actually the root part of the plant.