Lesser Galangal (kencur) Aromatic Ginger, China Root, Chinese Ginger, Colic Root, East Indian Catarrh Root, East Indian Root, Gargaut, India Root, Siamese Ginger.

Native to China, growing mainly on the southeast coast. It is also grown in India and the rest of South East Asia. The lesser galangal is smaller than the greater as the name implies. The leaves are long and slender, roughly half the dimensions of the greater. The whole plant, rarely more than 1m (3 1/4ft) high, vaguely resembles an iris. The flowers are small, white with red streaks. The rhizomes are reddish brown, about 2cm (3/4in) in diameter. They are more pungent than the greater and are similarly ringed.

Used as a flavoring in Indochina and Indonesia but not in Chinese cooking. The 8 x 2cm (3 x 3/4in) rhizome has a red-brown interior. The texture is fibrous. Available as slices or powder.

Bouquet: Aromatic and gingery
Flavor: Aromatic and pungent, peppery and ginger like.
Heat Scale: 6

Although barely used in Europe today, both galangals were formerly imported in great quantity, as medicine and spice. Galangal was known to the ancient Indians, and has been in the West since the Middle Ages. Its stimulant and tonic properties are recognized by the Arabs who ginger up their horses with it, and by the Tartars, who take it in tea. In the East, it is taken powdered as a snuff, and is used in perfumery and in brewing.

French: galanga de la Chine, galanga vrai, petit galanga, Chinese: sa leung geung, sha geung fun, Malay: kunchor, zedoary, Sinhalese: ingurupiayati, Thai: krachai