Lemongrass

What Is Lemongrass?

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tropical plant known for its long, firm, fibrous stalks and strong lemon aroma. It is one of the fundamental flavorings of Southeast Asian cuisines (Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian).

The edible part is the lower whitish-green section of the stalk; the firmer upper leaves are generally steeped in soups and curries and removed after cooking, or used to make tea.

Nutritional Value of Lemongrass

This section has been deliberately left blank since a reliable, consistent public-source nutritional value that could be cross-verified to this encyclopedia's standard could not be obtained for lemongrass. It is a product little known in Turkey and mostly imported; the amount used (a few stalks) already makes no measurable contribution to daily nutrition.

What Are the Benefits of Lemongrass?

Lemongrass is traditionally consumed in Southeast Asia to ease digestion and as a soothing tea; various studies are ongoing on the essential oils it contains, but these findings have not translated into a definitive health recommendation.

This information is general; lemongrass is a plant, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How Do You Choose Lemongrass?

Fresh lemongrass should be firm, ranging in color from light green to pale yellow, and have a distinct lemon scent; dry, wrinkled stalks mean it is stale.

• The stalk should be sturdy and upright; avoid soft, drooping stalks.
• Giving off a strong lemon scent when the lower part is crushed is a sign of freshness.
• The cut end should look moist and light-colored, not dried out.

How Do You Store Lemongrass?

Wrapped in a damp paper in the refrigerator, it stays fresh for about 2 weeks; chopped and placed in the freezer, it can be used for months.

Using Lemongrass in Cooking

The lower part of the lemongrass stalk is crushed and finely chopped, added to soups, curries, and sauces; the upper leaves are steeped and removed after cooking.

How Do You Make Lemongrass Tea?

Crushed lemongrass stalk is added to boiling water and steeped for 5-8 minutes; if desired, it is consumed together with ginger or mint to make a refreshing herbal tea.

Using Lemongrass in Tom Yum Soup

Crushed lemongrass stalks, along with kaffir lime leaf and galangal, are added to broth to form the aromatic base of Thailand's famous sour-spicy soup, tom yum.

Which Recipes Use Lemongrass?

It is used in tom yum soup, Thai-style curry, grilled chicken marinade, and various herbal teas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which part of lemongrass is edible?

The lower, softer whitish-green part of the stalk is chopped and eaten; the firmer, fibrous upper leaves are generally steeped in soup and curry and removed after cooking.

Can lemongrass be used as a tea?

Yes, crushed stalk pieces are added to boiling water and steeped for a few minutes to make a refreshing herbal tea; it also goes well with ginger and mint.

Which cuisines is lemongrass used in?

It is one of the fundamental flavorings of Southeast Asian cuisines, mainly Thai and Vietnamese; tom yum soup is one of its best-known uses.

Does dried lemongrass substitute for fresh?

Partly; dried lemongrass gives a lighter aroma and is generally used for steeping (soup, tea), not eaten chopped directly.

How is lemongrass stored?

Wrapped in damp paper in the refrigerator, it stays fresh for about 2 weeks; for long-term storage, it can be chopped and placed in the freezer.