Is Lemongrass Edible Read This Before You Try It

Leafy green herbs such as lemongrass are often used in Asian cooking. They are also popular ingredients in herbal remedies. Lemongrass has been used for centuries to treat digestive problems, colds, fevers, and even cancer.

Lemongrass is an herb that grows in tropical climates and is native to Southeast Asia. It is commonly found growing wild in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other parts of southeast Asia. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked; they have a mild flavor similar to lemongrass but with more citrus notes. In addition, the oil extracted from its seeds is widely used in food preparation.

The most common use of lemongrass is in Thai cuisine where it is added to curries, soups, stir-fry dishes, salads, rice dishes, desserts, drinks, and beverages. Lemongrass is an herb that has been used for centuries in Asian cuisine. It is often used in Thai cooking and is also known as citronella. Lemongrass is a member of the citrus family and is native to India, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia.

Lemongrasses are used in many different ways. They are used fresh in salads, soups, stir-fries, and curries. They are also added to tea and other beverages. Lemongrass oil is extracted from lemongrass leaves and is used in perfumes, cosmetics, and even as a natural insect repellent.

Today we are going to find out whether lemongrass is edible or not.

Is lemongrass edible?

Yes! Lemongrass is one of those plants you should definitely try if you haven’t already. There are several reasons why this plant is so good for your health:

It contains vitamin C which helps boost immunity. Vitamin C is essential for healthy skin, bones, teeth, gums, hair, nails, and immune system function.

It improves digestion by stimulating bile production. Bile is produced naturally within our bodies when we eat foods rich in fats. When there isn’t enough bile being made, indigestion occurs. Eating lemons will help stimulate bile production because lemon juice is high in pectin fiber. Pectin fibers break down into sugars during digestion. These sugar molecules then trigger the pancreas to release insulin, helping regulate blood glucose levels after meals.

Its anti-inflammatory properties make it great for treating arthritis pain. Arthritis affects millions of people worldwide. Inflammation causes swelling, redness, heat, and tenderness around joints. If the inflammation continues unchecked, it may lead to joint damage and eventually osteoarthritis. Lemon balm is well known for its ability to reduce inflammation. Studies show that taking 1 tablespoon of dried leaf daily reduces symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Fresh lemongrass is the best

You might think that eating lemongrass would taste like grass since it looks very much like it. However, lemongrass tastes nothing at all like grass. Instead, it’s sweet and slightly spicy. Its scent resembles lime zest and oranges.

If you want to enjoy the benefits of lemongrass without having any unpleasant side effects, buy organic lemongrass. Organic lemongrass is grown using sustainable farming practices. It doesn’t contain pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

How to cook with lemongrass?

There are two main types of lemongrass: young and mature. Young lemongrass can be eaten raw while mature lemongrass must first be cooked before consuming. The following recipes include both green and purple varieties of lemongrass.

Thai Green Curry Soup Recipe

This soup recipe uses only young lemongrass. To prepare, cut off about 2 inches of the bottom end of each stalk. Then peel away the outer layers until just the white part remains. Cut these stalks lengthwise into thin slices.

Add them to boiling water along with coconut milk, fish sauce, curry paste, garlic, ginger, cilantro stems, basil, and salt. Cook on medium-low heat for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Serve chilled.

Lemongrass Chicken Stir Fry

To prepare this stir fry, slice a few pieces of fresh lemongrass. Peel away the tough outer layer of leaves and discard. Slice the remaining parts into small strips. Wash thoroughly under running tap water. Pat dry with paper towels.

Heat oil over medium-high heat. Sauté chicken cubes for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add sliced lemongrass and sauté for another 3 minutes. Season with soy sauce, sesame oil, pepper, and crushed chili flakes. Toss gently so as not to crush the lemongrass. Garnish with chopped scallions.

How to prepare Lemongrass for cooking?

Cutting lemongrass requires some skill. First, remove the thick base where the stem meets the bulbous root. Next, trim off the top third of the stalk. Finally, separate the individual segments of the stalk. Each segment has three distinct lobes. Use your fingers to pull apart the lobes. Discard the center core.

When preparing lemongrass for use in soups, sauces, curries, etc., simply wash the entire stalk. Trim off the ends and then chop the stalk finely.

When making Thai dishes such as Pad See Ew, add whole sprigs of lemongrass instead of chopping up the stalk. In fact, when adding lemongrass to other Asian dishes, leave the stalk intact.

How to make lemongrass tea?

For medicinal purposes, drink lemon balm tea regularly. For culinary purposes, infuse lemongrass in hot water. Pour freshly boiled water through a strainer lined with cheesecloth. Let stand overnight. Strain out the liquid and store it in an airtight container. Drink within one week.

What else do we know about lemongrass?

There are many more healthful ways to consume lemongrass than by drinking tea. Here’s what we’ve learned:

1) Lemongrass contains citronella which helps deter insects.

2) Lemongrass also contains essential oils that help reduce stress levels.

3) Lemongrass is rich in vitamin C.

4) Lemongrass is high in calcium.

5) Lemongrass is good for digestion because it stimulates bile production.

6) Lemongrass is used to treat colds and flu.

7) Lemongrass is said to have anti-cancer properties.

How to store Lemongrass?

Store lemongrass in a plastic bag or glass jar at room temperature. If you live in a warm climate, keep lemongrass in the refrigerator. The flavor will be better if stored like this. However, don’t refrigerate lemons grass too long. They’ll lose their fragrance.

If you’re planning to freeze lemongrass, first blanch it briefly in boiling water. Drain well before freezing. To thaw frozen lemongrass, place it in a bowl filled with lukewarm water. Allow it to sit until softened. Then drain and pat dry.

Conclusion

The benefits of using lemongrass in our daily lives far outweigh its drawbacks. We hope you’ll try it soon!