Lemongrass: beneficial properties and applications. Lemongrass or lemongrass is an herb with a citrus aroma

24.09.2017

You've heard about lemongrass, and probably even tried it, but do you know what it is? Its name suggests that it is an herb that has a lemony scent, but there is more to it than that. Lemongrass has long been known in Asian countries for its medicinal properties, and is also widely used in cooking. Here you will learn about what makes it so popular.

What is lemongrass?

Lemongrass is tropical herb with a sweet, lemony odor and slightly spicy taste. Particularly popular in Thai and Southeast Asian cuisine. The strongest aroma is in the thickened lower part of the stem. Lemongrass can be added whole to a dish or peeled and then crushed or chopped.

It is sold fresh, dried or in powder form. Commonly used in cooking and herbal teas.

What lemongrass looks like - photo

Cut lemongrass stems are about 20cm long and look a bit like leeks.

general description

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tall, perennial herb that includes about 45 species growing in the tropical and subtropical climates of Asia, Australia and Africa. India is the largest supplier of this spice (80% of world production), where it is grown along the Western Ghats mountain range and in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Lemongrass can grow up to 90 cm in height and width.

Lemongrass stems have several layers, each wrapped tightly around it. The top layers are hard and green. They rather resemble the outer leaves of corn. When you peel off the top layers, you will find an inner white stem. It is also very complex and difficult to cut.

Other names for lemongrass: cymbopogon, lemongrass, citronella, lemongrass, lemongrass, shuttlebeard.

Where to buy lemongrass

Unless you live near an Asian specialty store, it's unlikely that you'll come across lemongrass. Still, it never hurts to check if it is sold in the produce section of your supermarket. Lemongrass paste is also available for sale.

If this is a problem, you can always buy dried or even fresh lemongrass from an online store.

How to choose lemongrass

Lemongrass is usually sold in bunches of two or three stems. When purchasing, consider a few essential facts:

• Look for firm stems. Soft or limp ones will not taste good.
• The lower part of the stem should be pale yellow and top part green.
• Avoid lemongrass, which has brown outer leaves.

How and how long to store lemongrass

Lemongrass good quality Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. To do this, wash the stems in a clean cold water. Let dry. Separate the green leaves from the stem. Place in a bag and store in the refrigerator separately from other foods.

Lemongrass can be frozen and stored for several months. Some of the aroma will be lost over time, but it will still retain its properties and will be easier to cut.

The stems can also be cut into small pieces and dried. These dried pieces should be stored in airtight jars and used as needed as needed, or ground to a powder. The shelf life of dried lemongrass is up to 6 months.

Chemical composition

Lemongrass plant is rich useful substances, minerals and vitamins.

Nutritional value of fresh lemongrass per 100 g

Physiological role

Lemongrass has healing effects on the body, including:

• Antioxidant, antifungal and antimicrobial action.
• Contains antioxidants that stimulate the immune system.
• Supports healthy level cholesterol, prevents atherosclerosis.
• The diuretic effect helps cleanse the body and flush out toxins.
• Supports digestion.
• May be effective in treating some types of cancer.
• Prevents gastrointestinal disorders.
• Stimulates intestinal function and improves digestion.
• Treats constipation, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and ulcerative colitis.
• Has a sedative and hypnotic effect.
• Helps calm nerves.
• Relieves various respiratory diseases.
• Treats ulcers ringworm and urinary tract infections.
• Weakens headache and migraine pain.
• Improves blood circulation.
• Maintains optimal insulin levels, prevents and treats diabetes.

Beneficial properties of lemongrass

Health benefits and medicinal use lemongrass is huge: it contains a lot essential oils, chemical substances, minerals and vitamins that have antioxidant properties and prevent disease.

• Main chemical component Lemongrass contains citral, which is responsible for its unique lemony smell. It has strong antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
• Additionally, lemongrass contains mirencene, citronellol, methylheptanone, dipentine, geraniol, limonene, geranyl acetate, nerol, etc. These compounds are known to have anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antifungal and antiseptic properties.
• The leaves and stems contain folate (per 100 g about 75 mcg or 19% of the daily value). Folate plays vitally important role in cell division and DNA synthesis, they prevent neural tube defects in the child during the period of conception.
• Lemongrass is also rich in many vital important vitamins, such as pantothenic acid(vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and thiamine (vitamin B-1). The body needs them constantly, as they do not accumulate, but require constant replenishment.
• In addition, fresh lemongrass contains no a large number of antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C and vitamin A.
• Both fresh and dried, it is a source of minerals such as potassium, zinc, calcium, iron, manganese, copper and magnesium.

Contraindications (harm) of lemongrass

Lemongrass is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

What does lemongrass smell and taste like?

Lemongrass has a lemony, herbaceous-sharp and at the same time sweetish-floral aroma. It tastes softer and sweeter than lemon. There is a ginger note, but without the sour undertone.

Uses of Lemongrass Essential Oil

The fresh and tangy citrus scent of lemongrass essential oil makes it wonderful natural product, which is usually added to cosmetics, and is also used in the manufacture of candles and waxes, deodorants and perfumes.

• Lemongrass oil, when used in aromatherapy, revitalizes the body and relieves symptoms of headaches and muscle pain, helps with nervous exhaustion and under stress.
• Essential oil is often used to relieve symptoms of laryngitis, bronchitis, etc.
• Lemongrass oil is used in massage therapy as a tonic and firming agent for the skin.
• If you are suffering from oily hair, itchy scalp, excessive hair loss or any other hair problem, rubbing this oil on your scalp will help you solve them.
• The antibacterial properties of lemongrass oil will help keep your head clean and leave your hair fresh, shiny, and odor-free.

Do a preliminary test: apply a drop to the skin (where the elbow is) and observe for 24 hours to find out if you have any adverse reaction for lemongrass essential oil.

Use of lemongrass in cooking

The lower part of lemongrass is widely used as a seasoning in Asian dishes. Its mild citrus aroma will be appropriate in soups, poultry, beef and seafood dishes.

How to Peel and Cut Lemongrass

The most commonly used pieces in soups, stews and teas are 2.5 to 5 cm in length. Before cooking, all outer layers are usually removed, leaving only the tender white inner stem.

Many recipes call for “beating” lemongrass to extract the flavor. For this:

1. Rinse the stems thoroughly with cool running water.
2. Trim off the top green part.
3. Cut and throw away bottom part stem about 3 cm from the base.
4. Remove tough outer leaves and discard.
5. Pound the stem using a meat mallet or the flat side of a kitchen knife.
6. Can be cut into pieces about 5 cm.
7. You can then add it to any soup or curry you are preparing.

The stems can be finely chopped and ground in a food processor to a paste.

Dried lemongrass is soaked before use.

How to prepare lemongrass - video

To get easy and delicate taste and smell, add lemongrass at the end of cooking. The longer you cook this spice, the more intense its flavor. Add the chopped lemongrass stems to the dish and leave them until you achieve the desired concentration of flavor.

Like bay leaves, lemongrass remains hard and should be removed from the dish after it has released its flavor.

Where to add lemongrass

Here are some application ideas:

• The subtle aroma of lemongrass goes well with fish, seafood, meat and poultry.
• Widely used in soups, marinades, curries, etc. in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia.

• Tom Yam is the most popular soup in Thailand. It is made from fresh lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce and crushed chili peppers. Shrimp, fish, chicken or mushrooms are also usually placed there.
• Lemongrass tea is a very refreshing drink.
• Young stems are used in salads.
• Dry lemongrass powder is used instead of fresh stems in marinades.
• This spice is also added to pickles.

How to brew lemongrass tea

For 1 glass of tea you will need 1 tablespoon of chopped lemongrass.

1. Peel the outer leaves as they impart a bitter taste.
2. Slice white part stem into pieces.
3. Pour one tablespoon of lemongrass into a glass of boiling water.
4. Let steep for 5 minutes and then strain the tea.
5. Sweeten it with sugar or honey if desired.

Both dried and fresh stems can be used for tea.

How to replace lemongrass in a recipe

• 1 teaspoon lemongrass powder = 1 fresh stalk.

The aroma of lemongrass is quite complex and it is difficult to find another product that could replace it. The easiest option is to use lemon as a substitute.

• The zest of one lemon = two stalks of lemongrass.

You can also add something else to it that can replicate the herbal notes of the lemongrass scent. For example, arugula.

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest with one arugula leaf will replace 1 stalk of lemongrass.

Now you know everything about lemongrass: what kind of wonderful herb it is, what its health benefits are, what properties it has and how to use it correctly in cooking. This spice can solve a whole range of problems: from medicinal and cosmetic to preparing delicious food.

Lemongrass is perennial, belonging to the family of cereals, or bluegrass. Common in America, China, India, Africa and Southern Europe, cymbopogon, or lemongrass (another name for the plant), is characterized by rapid growth and can reach a height of 1.8 meters in tropical climates. One and a half meters is its average size. In nature, lemon grass (the photo conveys all the beauty of such an unusual culture) has more than 50 species.

Description

Lemon grass, the beneficial properties of which are appreciated in the pharmacological industry, is quite light-loving, although it can easily tolerate shady places, but is afraid of cold weather. Sandy soil is most suitable as a soil composition for this crop. IN natural conditions the plant can be found in wetlands, as it is moisture-loving.

Lemon grass grows pointwise, in bunches, does not grow and does not clog areas. The inflorescences are spike-shaped, located on erect, rigid shoots that have a cylindrical shape. Lemon grass is grown in greenhouses and gardens, and also as an ornamental plant (because it creates the appearance of a rare tropical representative), for which it is loved by many gardeners. Characteristic feature Cymbopogon has a well-developed root system, which, unfortunately, very quickly, like a pump, depletes the soil, pumping nutrients out of it.

Excellent natural mosquito repellent

Characterized by light green, long, narrow leaves arranged alternately, lemongrass has a citrusy flavor with pleasant almond notes and a light lemon aroma that repels various insects, particularly mosquitoes and flies. One has only to rub the stem and apply the resulting juice to the skin, and for 4 hours you can calmly forget about such annoying insects.

Using Lemongrass in Cooking

Due to its rich composition, lemongrass, the beneficial properties and contraindications of which have been fully studied by specialists, is widely in demand in folk medicine and cooking. The main component of such a plant is essential oils (geraniol and central), their total share is 70-85%, the rest of the elements are vitamin A and B, ascorbic acid, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and sodium salts, natural antiseptics and antioxidants.

The stems are mainly used in cooking lemon grass(how in fresh, and dried), pre-crushed: either finely chopped or ground into powder. The leaves are not edible, so they are most often thrown away. Lemongrass is most in demand in Asian cuisine, where it is an important component of stews, soups, seafood dishes, chicken, beef and pork. Pairs well with red pepper and cilantro. The properties of lemongrass allow it to be used as an excellent supplement to various drinks, giving them a delicate citrus aroma. To prepare a refreshing product from lemongrass, the stems of the latter are cut and brewed with boiling water, after which they are cooled. It is recommended to add milk with sugar or ice cubes to the resulting drink.

Beneficial features

Lemon grass is powerful antiseptic, which has pronounced anti-inflammatory and disinfectant properties. Lemongrass refreshes, tones, relieves muscle pain, reduces weakness and dizziness, normalizes blood circulation, metabolism, removes excess fat, treats cellulite and skin diseases.

Lemon grass (the photo fully conveys the tropical charm of this plant) cures insomnia, helps with stress and depression. This effective remedy to reduce excessive sweating of the feet, it is successfully used in the composition base oils, used in therapeutic, sports and general massage. The beneficial components of this herb act as if taken medicinal infusions inside, and with local exposure to essential oil on the affected areas of the skin.

Lemongrass increases stamina physical activity, increases lactation and optimizes metabolic processes in organism. This plant eliminates flatulence, intestinal dysfunction, inflammatory processes gastric mucosa.

Refreshes and tones

Lemongrass is very tasty and healthy in tea. It increases appetite and helps with colitis, indigestion and gastroenteritis. This drink, both hot and cold, in addition to its refreshing effect, saturates the body with a complex useful microelements and vitamins, removes toxins and increases resistance to infectious diseases. On nervous system The pleasant citrus aroma has a beneficial effect, relieving nervous tension.

Oil lemongrass will help with headaches, but you should know that it should be combined with the base. Massaging the forehead and temples with this composition is recommended to be done extremely carefully, otherwise you may end up with red, itchy and irritated skin. The antibacterial effect is observed in therapeutic effects on skin lesions purulent in nature: microbial eczema, acne, boils.

Lemongrass essential oil can resist fungal skin diseases. The pronounced anti-inflammatory and healing effect allows this herb to be used in dermatological practice.

Lemongrass against toxins

Traditional medicine also successfully uses the properties of lemon grass to remove toxins from the body, cleanse the intestines, kidneys, and pancreas. At infectious diseases Use lemon grass to reduce fever. The plant also promotes fast healing wounds and cuts. This herb, which has multifaceted properties, helps in weight loss, tightens the skin and improves its elasticity. When caring for your hair, it helps reduce oiliness.

Application in cosmetology

Lemongrass is an effective skin care product for normal and fatty type. This is an excellent tonic for saggy, sagging skin, giving it high tone and helping to open pores. The plant provides a fat balance to the epidermis and is also the basis of an essential oil (used in lamps and candles to repel insects), which is obtained by steam distillation. Lemon grass oil also protects palm leaves used for storing ancient manuscripts from destruction.

Another area of ​​application is aromatherapy, which improves memory, relieves fatigue and restores vitality.

Lemon grass: contraindications

Lemon oil is contraindicated for use by people suffering from increased excitability and severe hypertension. Using the plant may cause a sore throat, contraction vocal cords, short-term hoarseness. The grass is not toxic, but high concentration may cause irritation of sensitive skin, redness, and burning sensation. It is not recommended to use lemongrass for people with medical conditions. gastrointestinal tract. A large amount of fiber in its composition can cause diarrhea or constipation. The use of lemon grass is contraindicated for pregnant women and children under 7 years of age.

By the way, cymbopogonus is attributed to a number of magical properties. Called "Voodoo grass", it is planted around the house to get rid of snakes. This plant is believed to cause sexual attraction and excites passion, which is why it is used to make a potion.

Lemongrass Egypt fresh harvest

Sales from 15 kg

photo is real

Disinfecting and refreshing effect.

Lemongrass tea is becoming more and more popular over time thanks to wide application and a wonderful citrus aroma, it is actively appearing on store shelves and becoming more accessible. Refreshing tea not only brings pleasure with its taste, but also improves health.

Now it is difficult to determine the homeland of lemongrass; some believe that it is India, while others call Malaysia the homeland of lemongrass. The plant can be found in many countries in Southeast Asia and Africa under different names, most often it is lemongrass, lemongrass, lemongrass, citronella or cymbopogon.

Lemon grass is used not only as tea, it is a very popular seasoning in Asian cuisine, and both crushed leaves and stems of the plant are used. The stems themselves, however, are not eaten; they are too tough, so they are removed before serving the dish, which has already absorbed the citrus aroma.

By the way, the aroma is really wonderful, the oil from the stems is used to make essential oils, and not only does it smell nice, but it can also repel insects.

Beneficial features lemongrass tea

Lemongrass helps primarily against stress, depression and overwork, has a calming effect on the nervous system, it refreshes and tones. May relieve headaches.

The drink is also good for the stomach and digestion; it is useful to drink when feeling nauseous. Tea is used to cleanse everything digestive tract and for detoxification, it is excellent for cleansing the kidneys and urinary tract.

By the way, lemongrass can also be called a tea for weight loss, because it makes you feel full. Lemongrass tea and its beneficial calming properties will also help in the fight against nervous overeating.

It is believed that brewed lemongrass is an aphrodisiac and therefore can have a beneficial effect on libido.

The beneficial properties of lemongrass tea do not end there; it contains almost all B vitamins, is a rich source of vitamin C and other beneficial microelements, which has a healing effect on the body as a whole.

stemli lemongrass

Contraindications and harm of lemon grass

You should be careful if you have a tendency to high blood pressure or it happens increased excitability. For the same reason, the drink is not suitable for children and pregnant women.

If you feel unwell while drinking tea, stop drinking tea immediately. If the condition worsens, you should consult a doctor; there is always a small risk of individual intolerance and allergies.

How to brew lemongrass

Lemon grass can be prepared as a stand-alone drink or used as a supplement. Remember that, despite its beneficial properties, lemongrass is not a complete medicine and cannot replace all the remedies that your doctor has prescribed for you.

Basic recipe:

Lemongrass tea is brewed at the rate of 1 teaspoon per cup of boiling water (approximately 200 ml). Leave the drink to steep for about 3 minutes and it will be ready to drink. You can add honey for taste.

Lemongrass and green tea:

Lemongrass is often used as an additive to green tea. It is important that green tea is initially without unnecessary flavorings. Brew green tea - 1/2 teaspoon per 200 ml of boiling water or according to any other recipe you are familiar with. Add a pinch of lemongrass and leave to steep for 5 minutes. Honey can be used as a sweetener.

Summer tea:

An incredibly refreshing drink made from chilled tea. Simply brew lemongrass according to the basic recipe or along with green tea, chill in the refrigerator and serve with ice cubes on a hot summer day. For extra freshness, you can add a slice of lemon.

Soothing tea:

Lemongrass itself is already a good sedative, but if you want to enhance this effect, then prepare tea according to the basic recipe and add a few mint leaves, because, as you know, Mint tea normalizes blood pressure and helps to concentrate in stressful situations. By brewing these herbs together, you will get an even more healthy and tasty drink.

Lemongrass, or lemongrass, (Symborogon) is a plant belonging to the Poaceae, or Poagrass, family. This genus includes just over fifty species that originally grew in regions with warm and tropical weather conditions.

Lemongrass looks like a common herbaceous perennial. It grows in fairly dense and abundant turf. The plant has a short rhizome of white or light purple color and a stem part in the form of a tall straw.

The foliage is linear, 3-10 mm wide, with characteristic pubescence on both sides and fairly sharp edges. The inflorescences are complex, collected on the basis of spike-shaped branches, formed on the apical part of the stem. Flowers are small, inconspicuous appearance, have a gray-white color. The fruits are represented by small elongated grains.

It is quite difficult to grow such a plant in our country. It is quite widely cultivated in the area South-East Asia, and also grows in the tropics and subtropics of Africa and America.

Lemongrass looks like a regular herbaceous perennial

Useful properties and chemical composition of lemongrass

The benefits of culture are undeniable, and The chemical composition of a useful and very unusual tropical plant is presented:

• sodium;
• iron;
• manganese;
• magnesium;
• potassium;
• zinc;
• calcium;
• chrome;
• phosphorus;
• silicon;
• fatty acids.

Also contains vitamin C or ascorbic acid, B vitamins and vitamin A. The essential oils of the plant differ increased amount geraniol and citral. Tropical culture not only has a fairly high nutritional value, but also helps improve appetite, strengthen muscle tissue, and has positive influence on the performance of brain cells and heart muscle.

The presence of antioxidants effectively prevents premature aging, improves metabolic processes and lipid breakdown. Eating it allows you to quickly normalize blood sugar levels and is characterized by an antidepressant effect. This type of plant is useful if you need to boost your immunity.

Gallery: lemongrass (25 photos)

Features of growing lemon grass (video)

Features of growing cymbopogon at home:

Citronella is grown in seedlings, and seed material can be purchased at almost any garden center.

Optimal growing conditions and choice of location

The plant is quite heat-loving and sun-loving, but in the soil and climatic conditions of the central zone of our country it is impossible to grow such a crop in flower beds open ground does not seem possible.

The air temperature in the room cannot be less than 20-22oC. Shoots will appear as quickly and evenly as possible when growing seedlings on south-facing windowsills, with sufficiently bright sun.

Lemongrass is quite heat-loving and sun-loving.

Requirements for soil and planting pot

The tropical medicinal crop not only loves bright sunlight, but also grows best in humus soils with sufficient nutrients and constant humidity levels. The soil for growing crops must be light and sufficiently drained, preferably with plenty of medium-grained sand and a slightly acidic pH.

Seed preparation and planting technology

The seeds should be prepared by wrapping them in damp cloth, and then into a regular plastic bag, after which it should be left in a warm place for about twelve hours. Before sowing, the seeds should be dried on a paper towel, and then sowed in moist and fairly fertile soil without deep digging. The container with the crops is covered with film to create a greenhouse effect. After the first shoots appear, the film cover is removed, and the sprouts are transplanted into containers, which can be taken outside in the summer.

Before planting, lemongrass seeds must be prepared

The root system must always be well moistened, so the soil around the plant must be mulched with organic matter. Watering lemongrass requires only soft and sufficiently settled water. Rain or melt water at room temperature is best suited for irrigation activities. Container-grown crops winter period must be brought into the premises.

Determining the degree of maturity of the plant

If lemongrass is grown for food purposes, the above-ground portion can be cut at any time of the year. The foliage is cut into small pieces, after which it is laid out to dry under awnings or in a room with sufficient inflow fresh air.It is best to store plant materials in closed glass containers.

Lemongrass tea (video)

Medicinal and beneficial properties of lemon grass

The healing properties are due to the content of essential oil, the main part of which is citral. Among other things, the composition is enriched with limonene, isopulgenol, citronelic and geranic acids, as well as α-camphonene.

Application in perfumery and cosmetology

Bactericidal and restorative properties Lemongrass oils are used in many lines designed to care for problematic or oily skin. In India, Cymbopogon citratus is very widely used not only in medical purposes, but also in the modern perfume industry.

However, perfumes with notes of cymbopogon are not found very often in perfumery, which is due to the difficulty of selecting the most harmonious combinations. More often Frankincense and ginger are used as an effective addition to lemongrass, as well as jasmine and anise.. Particularly popular are the women's perfume Carthusia Io Capri and the men's fragrance Diesel Only The Brave Wild.

The bactericidal and general strengthening properties of lemongrass oils are used in many lines designed to care for problematic or oily skin

Healing recipes of traditional medicine

Lemongrass is traditionally used in folk medicine. The plant is used for cooking medicinal tea, tinctures and infusions, juice, essential oils, cream and ointment, and is also included in various herbal medicinal preparations.

For inhalation, gargling and oral administration, infusions of fresh or dried herbs poured with boiling water are used. To obtain the tincture, the stems are crushed in a blender, after which they are poured with alcohol in a one-to-one ratio. The tincture should be stored in a dark place.

Lemongrass in cooking

The dried seasoning is not inferior in taste and quality characteristics to many widely used aromatic herbs. Lemongrass is widely used as a seasoning in Asian and Caribbean cuisine. Delicious fresh and dried raw materials have a pronounced citrus aroma. Lemongrass is often used in cooking fish dishes, bird, as well as seafood and sauces.

Lemongrass is not inferior in taste and quality characteristics to many widespread aromatic herbs

How to brew and drink lemongrass tea correctly

Lemongrass based tea, due to its unique chemical composition, is a very effective antimicrobial, antiseptic and bactericidal agent. To obtain maximum effect, it is necessary to brew healing herbal raw materials correctly. Tea is extremely useful for people working in harmful conditions, since the drink quickly neutralizes all unpleasant consequences.

…. If you have at least once tried to cook something from... Thai cuisine, then with 99.9% probability you have come across this name. Don’t know what it is and what it’s eaten with? Then this article will help you a lot. Have you already become proficient in cooking, and it doesn’t even sound like a curse word to you anymore? Great, congratulations! Still, we are sure that you will find this article useful as there are some great life hacks hidden in it.

What is lemongrass?

In Thailand, this herb is called Takrai, and it is used almost everywhere: from the top soups to tea, desserts and sauces. Based on the name, it would be logical to assume that lemongrass has a sour (lemon) taste. However, it is not. The secret is that lemongrass has no taste! It is not sour, not spicy, not salty, not bitter. Its main culinary value lies in its unique aroma. And since the aroma itself is very fresh and light, you get the feeling that the weed tastes the same: fresh, with a slight lemon flavor.

How to use lemongrass?

In stores, lemongrass is usually sold with the remains of the root system and a small upper green part. In reality, a very small part goes into the preparation of Thai dishes. When you bring lemongrass home, it is better to immediately cut off the top green part and use it, say, for cooking herbal tea or put it in the dressing room as a fragrance. It is also necessary to cut off the rhizome from below. The top dry layer must be removed.

You can beat off the remaining small part with a blunt knife and cut into small pieces 3-5 cm in length. This option is perfect for making soups (such as tom yum). In a couple of minutes, the broken lemongrass slices will give all their flavor to the broth. But you must keep in mind that you will not be able to eat the aromatic grass - it will be very tough. Therefore, before serving, you will need to remove the lemongrass (just like you remove it from cabbage soup). Bay leaf).

If you want to chew aromatic herb, add it to a salad or stir-fry, then you need to cut the lemongrass into finely-finely round pieces.

How to store fresh lemongrass?

If you don't plan to use fresh lemongrass within a week, it's best to freeze it. To do this, you should also separate the rhizome and the upper green part from the stem, cut the remaining stem into small pieces 3-5 cm in length, wrap them in foil, and then place them in a bag and put them in the freezer. Foil will allow you to preserve the scent of your lemongrass for 3-4 months without any changes.

What if fresh lemongrass is not available?

Let's say you live where fresh lemongrass is not sold. Can I use dried lemongrass? Answer: yes and no. Firstly, when buying dried lemongrass, you will most likely find that in the bag you will only have the upper green parts of the lemongrass (they are suitable for tea and scenting laundry, but not for food). If you are lucky enough to come across dry bottom parts of lemongrass, then grab it and run :) The bottom parts are perfectly acceptable if you are making soup (like tom yum or tom kha). But when preparing a salad, stir-fry (for example, fried tom yum) or curry paste, dried lemongrass will not help you. You will only ruin the dish if you try to replace fresh herbs with dry rind. What to do? Fortunately, almost everyone Thai pastes curries that include lemongrass can now be bought ready-made. As for stir-fries, look: you can probably use the same curry paste as long as it matches the spice composition of the stir-fries. It’s more difficult with salads: if you don’t have fresh lemongrass on hand, then most Thai salads, alas, are inaccessible to you.

How to replace lenograss?

To tell the truth, nothing. But before you despair, look carefully at the recipe: is lemongrass needed at all? Now many are trying to create fusion cuisine by adding Thai/Chinese spices to European/Russian dishes. Sometimes a recipe turns into a real supermarket shelf: the chef recommends throwing almost everything into the dish, from lemongrass to hawthorn. If the dish you are preparing already has enough spices, you may not need lemongrass: it will still be “lost” behind the aroma of other spices. But if you are still preparing something authentically Thai, then lemongrass is vital for you. It cannot be replaced with mint, onion, lemon zest, lime zest, acetic acid or anything else that might come to your mind by analogy. As a reminder, lemongrass has no taste. It is needed only because of its unique aroma. And you won’t find the scent of lemongrass anywhere else. That is why the Thais love, appreciate and are so proud of him!