This flavorful lemongrass marinade is common in Vietnam, where it's used on thin pork chops that are quickly grilled over a hot fire. Lemongrass is an evergreen in climates in which it grows as a perennial. stomach diseases such as stomach ache, constipation, cramps, and diarrhea. Constipation: Lemongrass tea is considered beneficial for stomach problems. I love Lemongrass essential oil. The study found that the essential oil of lemongrass leaves can help protect the stomach lining against damage from aspirin and ethanol. Chop the lemongrass on a cutting board so you don't dull your knife blade or damage your countertop! Use whole lemongrass in stews and curries (remember to fish it out before serving). The stalks are a greenish-white color and form the part of lemongrass plant most often used in Asian dishes, though the leaves are also used – especially for making lemongrass tea. How to Buy Lemongrass . You can use them to make tea or bag up to use in marinades. You can use the green leaves for cooking as well. My Mom (who’s thai) taught me about growing lemongrass. And lemongrass tea is a way you can try. This fragrant and attractive grass will thrive in a large pot as well as in the ground in a sunny position. Steep a few pieces (cut into 1- or 2-inch lengths) of the fresh or dried leaves and/or outer woody stalks in a cup of boiling water for 5 minutes, or longer if you desire a stronger brew. The pieces should be about 1 ⁄ 2 –1 in (1.3–2.5 cm) long. You can also use a lemongrass stem in a cocktail, use as a skewer for barbecued pork or prawn mince, or stuff the leaves inside a fish before steaming or a chicken before roasting. Prepare the lemongrass leaves. The leaves can be used either fresh or dried. Lemongrass oil, derived from the leaves of the lemongrass plant, carries a recognizable and soothing scent. Lemongrass is commonly used to add flavor and aroma to food. Also dry lemongrass can be ground and used as a spice. When the leaves have dried, you reduce them into a 2-3-inch portion and save them in a hermetic glass jar. It is considered for a stronger flavor before serving. Its medicinal properties are febrifuge (fever reducing), astringent, carminative (helpful for gas and stomach issues), antibacterial, and can support the alleviation of headaches. If you cultivate it indoors in northern growing zones, you will have a permanently green ornamental, but if you're only interested in its culinary uses, you can grow it outdoors in the late spring and summer and harvest the leaves before the frost sets in. Some Culinary Uses of Lemongrass East Asian cuisines use lemongrass leaves in a variety of ways – fresh chopped stems, dried herb as a spice, or the leaf buds. The kaffir lime leaf is essential to Thai curries and soups, but many… Lemongrass tea: This is the perfect way to use the parts of the lemongrass plant that is not flavorful enough for cooking. Chef Katie Chin demonstrates how to prepare Lemon Grass for using in sauces, soups and stir fry to get that amazing flavor. Though lemongrass is best used when fresh, it also freezes well and can be stored this way for up to six months. You can cut above the roots and the plant will sprout new leaves. While an estimated 55 species of lemongrass exist, only the East Indian and West Indian varieties are suitable for use in cooking. While the stalks are the most commonly used part of the plant, the leaves are also edible. The leaves of this lovely herb can be used for herbal teas and marinades, while the inner stalks would be used in Asian dishes. Add honey or sugar to taste. Only the tender part inside is considered edible, so once it’s cooked, it can be sliced and added to various dishes. Lemongrass can grow 3-5 feet tall (1-1.5 meters) and can spread to 4 feet (1.2 meters) wide. Lemongrass Varieties. Lemongrass tea is delicious hot or iced. It may sound like an unusual combination, but lemongrass happens to be an essential oil that’s often used for cooking. You can make use of both lemongrass leaves and its stalk. How To Use Lemongrass | Organic Facts. Other uses are for calming moods and anxiety when used in a diffuser because of the effect of its aroma. Lemongrass is part of the citrus oils family. Overview Information Lemongrass is a plant. Lemongrass, also called fever grass, is a perennial plant with thin, long leaves that are indigenous to many Asian countries. Like laurel leaves, lemongrass leaves can be taken out of food after cooking, as they have already released essential oils that enhance the taste of gulin preparations. It’s used in aromatherapy for health and beauty too. The plant has long leaves that are similar to those of seagrasses. Use as a flavouring for crème brulee or steep a stalk in a bottle of vodka for cocktails (clean and bruise a lemongrass stalk, then put it in a nearly full bottle of vodka for 3-4 days, shaking occasionally; then remove the stalks). The flavorful part of lemongrass is the lower part of the stalks, and it is usually sold with the leaves and upper stalks removed. The essential oil extracted from its leaves, rich in citral, has several industrial uses. Health Benefits of Lemongrass. 3. Lemon and grass. You must cut that lower part in about 2 inches from the end. Regular aspirin use is a common cause of gastric ulcers. It is lemon grass that gives the Thai curry its unique fresh lemon flavour. Its leaves produce the best-quality essential oil than any other lemongrass species, which is used in the manufacture of cosmetics and fragrances. Use lemongrass in the diet to speed up your memory. You string lemongrass leaves up in a window with wire to dry for tea. This woody and fragrant herb can also be used as a cocktail recipe for a couple of cups or as a basis for an ordinary exotic ice cream lemonade. Lemon grasses (Cymbopogon spp.) 1 Lemongrass essential oil comes from lemongrass plants, which smell similar to lemon plants, and are part of the Poaceae family, which contains more than 50 different varieties of plant. If you don't have a lemongrass plant, you can purchase the leaves fresh or dried from some health food stores. As soon as you cut through the lemongrass, you can feel the warm tingling lemon aroma hitting your senses. Depending on how you intend to use it, you can cut the lemongrass stalk in two ways. Chop and use to make marinades and soups or add to stir-fries. Don’t buy lemongrass stalks that feel light or rubbery. There is an outer skin on the stalks. Pick one stalk to harvest and hold it firmly, preferably closer to its roots. Make sure you strain the beverage as the leaves are too fibrous to chew. Using Lemongrass. The leaves are generally inedible and, like lemongrass stalks or cinnamon sticks, are fished out of soups and curries before serving. How to Use Lemongrass Essential Oil. It is used in many hair products for hair growth and in skincare products because of its antibacterial property. Stalks that are light or rubbery are older stalks, which will not provide the flavor you’re expecting. Lemongrass stalks are referred to as culms. If you're planting in soil, make sure it is fertile and well drained – water well. … Look for lemongrass that is firm and pale yellow-green with a bit of a bulb at the end. 4. Bruise them by giving them a slight twist or pound and cut it into manageable pieces with kitchen scissors to steep in tea. There are numerous recipes you can follow to use lemongrass to add flavor to dishes, which usually involve slicing up of crushing the stalks. This herb is used in various Asian cuisines as a flavouring agent due to its potent flavour. Many use the stalks alone, but the leaves hold more flavor so use the whole grass minus the roots. However, finely sliced fresh leaves can be used for garnish. That would be enough for almost anything you need with more to spare. This oil is safe and good for dogs and cats to repel insects. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, properties are considered beneficial for health. You can use the entire part of lemongrass, except for the lower bulb. Cut the green portion of the leaves from a your lemongrass plant using a pair of sharp scissors. Do use lemongrass to complement seafood. After that, the rest is yours, starts from the leaves until the stalk. Cut into small pieces or depend on the dish. Since the stalks are somewhat hard, they’re normally crushed in order to allow the lemony flavor to come through when cooking. Lemongrass stalks can be lightly crushed and added to dishes such as curry during cooking; these are always removed before serving. Due to the presence of anti-oxidant properties, it can protect against . It is an aromatherapy top note and with that, uplifting in nature and bright in blends. Some people cut the stalk in larger pieces and not to be eaten. Remember that you will usually just need one stalk from the entire plant. The leaves and stalks are used to make lemongrass tea. Step 2 - Optional: Dry the Leaves . Lemongrass leaves can be used just like the stalks. They get a bit of morning sun, even though it is advocated you grasp them out of direct sunlight. However, it is typically the stalk which is most often utilized and edible. Lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus), also known as lemongrass or capim-santo, is a tropical plant native to India.Much appreciated as tea, it is also used as a spice and for medicinal purposes. Here’s how to harvest lemongrass and its uses. There’s no need to bruise the leaves, though. Then, carefully give the lemongrass a rough chop. If you're using home-grown lemongrass, you can use the leaves to make the tea. I use it almost daily. The leaves and the oil are used to make medicine. The leaves are the part of the plant used to make lemongrass tea. If you have your very own plant, all you need is one stalk for this recipe. Lemongrass is fresh in hypermarkets or big stores. As the name implies, lemongrass smells like lemon, but it tastes milder and sweeter. Like citrus juice, the flavor of lemongrass is great for neutralizing the fishy flavor that some people find objectionable. include about 55 species, some of which contain essential oils that give the plants a flavor and scent similar to citrus fruit.Probably the most well-known species is west Indian lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), which is used in food as well as an ingredient in insect repellents.West Indian lemon grass doesn't repel rodents, but it has several effects on them. You can use it to gently massage the temples and the neck area, always using it diluted in a base oil. To dilute the lemongrass essential oil, use 10-15 drops of essential oil for every 250 ml of vegetable oil. How to use lemongrass essential oil Diffusion. https://www.vietworldkitchen.com/blog/2014/06/lemongrass-tea-recipe.html Last updated on December 9, 2020 by Prateek 0 Comment Share Tweet on Twitter Share on Facebook Pinterest. Instead, look for heavy stalks with a firm texture. That is the place you have in the house to hang all the herbs. Its leaves are used to make a herbal tea that provides plenty of vitamin A. Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) originates in Indonesia on Java Island. It is also found in the form of dry lemongrass or ground lemongrass. You can now puree, mince, or chop the bottom part of the lemongrass. 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