Galangal has a pungent, citrusy, and slightly floral flavor with a warming effect that is similar to ginger, to which it is related. The taste is often described as a combination of ginger and black pepper, with a hint of pine and a slightly astringent aftertaste. Galangal is often used in curries, soups, and stir-fries in Thai, Indonesian, and Malaysian cuisine, and can also be used in herbal medicine as it has a number of health benefits.