Luya (Ginger)

Luya (ginger) is one of the plants mentioned in the Tagalog folk song Bahay Kubo. Scientifically known as Zingiber officinale, the rhizome of luya is a spice that figures highly in Philippine cuisine. Aside from being used in tinola (chicken broth with papaya and chilli leaves), luya helps in removing the fishy smell of seafood. Following is a picture of some luya rhizomes we bought at the market. The price tag: twenty pesos per kilogram.