Ginger contains an oil molecule called zingiberene that is emitted from its skin, and it is the evaporating molecules that give ginger its characteristic smell.
The pungent, sharp and spicy taste of ginger is unmistakable. Often times, that flavor can translate into a strong aromatic smell—one that lingers in the air long after the root has been peeled and grated. It’s possible for someone to detect its strong scent from up to two miles away!