Lemon grass is an annual herb that flourishes in the tropics. It reaches a height of 1.5 m and a spread of 1 m. It is used extensively in Asia, India and Thailand for a very long time. Lemon grass has a strong lemon flavor due to citral, essential oil it contains. It is now grown commercially for its widely used essential oil. The herb can successfully grow outside, in the garden, in temperate climates but rarely flowers. In cool climates, grow as a pot plant.

The best flavored leaves are obtained from the lower 12cm part of the plant. This part is white and thick and is used fresh or dried wherever fresh lemon flavor is required. Lemon grass is used in many dishes especially fish and seafood dishes, curries, vegetables, drinks and sweet dishes. Harvest the stems during the summer months. The taste of lemon grass complements those of coriander, onion and chili. The stems are cut into 2 cm long cooked with the food and then removed before serving.

A tea made from the fresh leaves of the herb is a tummy and stomach relaxant.

lemon grass

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