Ginger powder is derived from the ginger plant's roots, Zingiber officinale. It is a close relative of the turmeric, galangal and cardamom plants. Although ginger is native to Southeast Asia, it has been traded around the globe for centuries. Today it is also used as a common ingredient in Western Cuisines, such as baked goods and soups. Although ginger is cultivated in many tropical regions worldwide, India remains the world's leading producers of ginger.