Lemon Grass

Guide Note

Lemon Grass is a perennial grass native to Malaysia, consisting of 55 species, and it grows between three to six feet high. It has a lemony smell and flavor and is used in teas, soups, and curries. Some varieties are used for candles, perfumes, aromatherapy, and household disinfectants, and as a medicinal herb to help ease depression and nervousness.

Lemon grass is used either fresh, dried, or powdered. When fresh, the stalk of the grass is tough and difficult to eat while the inside is soft and tender. It is usually thinly diced or smashed and then added to dishes.

It is frequently used as an herb in Asian Cuisines, especially Thai and Vietnamese.

Fast Facts

1. Scientific family name: Cymbopogon
2. Frequently used in insect repellents
3. Alternate names: Fever Grass, Hierba Luisa

1. Silky Oilgrass
2. Palmarosa
3. Citronella grass
4. Barbed wire grass
5. Silky heads
6. Malabar grass

1. French: Citronnelle
2. German: Zitronengras
3. Italian: erba di limone
4. Spanish: hierba de limon
5. Indian: bhustrina, sera
6. Indonesian: sere, sereh
7. Lao: bai mak nao
8. Malay: serai
9. Sinhalese: sera
10. Thai: takrai
11. Portuguese: erva limeira, erva principe