Mix the ginger, sugar, yeast, and water and set aside for 5 minutes.

Mix buttermilk, honey, salt, baking soda in with the yeast mixture.

Add 3 cups of flour and mix until smooth. On an electric mixer it is about 5 minutes on low speed.

Mix butter until it is totally incorporated into batter.

Now, begin to add the rest of the flour, one cup at a time,keep mixing on low speed.

When dough pulls from the side of the bowl remove it from the mixer to a floured surface and knead until elastic and smooth.

Place in greased bowl, turn to grease top, cover and allow to rise for 1 1/2 hours.

Punch down and form into 2 loaves. Place in greased loaf pans and grease tops.

Cover and allow to rise for 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake for 30 minutes, covering tops with foil if they brown too fast.

Remove loaves from oven and brush with melted butter.

Allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes.

Turn out and cool completely on a rack. Cover the loaves if you want soft crust.