Lemongrass 

Origin:​ ​Lemongrass is native to tropical 

countries such as India, China, and Thailand  

Health Benefits 
● boosts circulation and immunity 
● an anti-inflammatory 
● Relieves anxiety 
● Lowers cholesterol 
● Prevents infection 
● Boosts oral health- 
 
● Relieves pain 
● Boosts red blood cell levels 
What is it?:​ ​ ​Lemongrass is an aromatic  ● Relieves bloating 
plant with a citrusy scent, a tart citrus 
flavour with notes of pepper. Lemongrass is  Economic Implications: ​I​ndia is 
a perennial herb, which means it will come 
amongst the highest producer of 
back year after year. It grows in grassy 
clumps that can reach up to 5 feet tall.  lemongrass (producing over 2 million 
Other common names: oil grass, tanglad,  pounds per year), where it is cultivated 
sereh, citronella  along the mountain range of the Western 
  Ghats and beside the foothills of Arunachal 
Varieties:​ ​The two species that are  Pradesh and Sikkim in the Himalayan 
mostly cultivated are: East Indian  mountains. The essential oil is being 
lemongrass, also known as Cochin or  traditionally exported to West Europe, U.S.A. 
Malabar grass, and is native to India and Sri  and Japan. At one point, India had a 
Lanka. West Indian lemongrass is native to  monopoly in the production and trade of 
southern India, Ceylon, Indonesia and 
lemongrass, however, it is now grown in 
Malaysia. 
other countries of the world.   

Uses: ​ ​Lemongrass is used to add lemony  Though lemongrass is most commonly 

flavor to soups, stews, curries and 
known to be used in Thai cuisine, fresh 
vegetable and rice dishes. Lemongrass 
lemongrass grown in Thailand is actually 
makes an excellent tea and the herb is also 
not exported.  
used in perfumery and to make various 
cosmetics, including soaps, lotions and 
creams. Lemongrass is also blended with  _____ 
resins and other herbs for use as incense 
and is added to potpourri mixtures. Due to  Did You Know? ​Lemongrass has 
the presence of certain volatile oils in the  also been called ‘fever grass’ as it's 
leaf, lemongrass is also used as a natural 
used as an anti-malarial treatment in 
insect repellent and for its ability to boost 
parts of Africa. 
circulation and immunity. 

   

, 
https://d1nw62gticy6e9.cloudfront.net/uploads/Instructions-for-Growing-Lemongrass.pdf​
https://www.metro.ca/en/online-grocery/aisles/fruits-vegetables/fresh-herbs/lemon-grass/p/068567020404
https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/products/all-about-lemongrass-oil.html
https://www.nda.agric.za/docs/Brochures/ProGuiLemonGrass.pdf​http://nhb.gov.in/model-project-reports/Horticulture%20Crops/Lemongrass/Lemongrass1.htm
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305495607_Lemongrass​, ​https://rasamalaysia.com/skillet-lemongrass-chicken/ 
https://www.foodbloggersofcanada.com/the-spice-box-getting-to-know-lemongrass/ 
Availability: ​In the GTA, fresh  Preparation:​T​o use lemongrass, strip 
lemongrass is available all year long in  away the tough outer leaves until you get to 
many grocery stores, such as Metro,  the tender centres. Reserve the leaves to 
Longos, Loblaws and Asian supermarkets.    make Asian-style stock. Cut into the 
lemongrass stalks until your knife stops 
Lemongrass oil for medicinal purposes, as  ‘squeaking,’ which means you have reached 
well as soaps, sprays, deodorant and  the centres. These tender stalks are then 
creams are available at most health food  used for cooking, while the outer leaves add 
stores and grocery stores.  flavour to your dish, but need to be removed 
before serving. 

For blending and to use it fresh in salads 

and stir-fries, you'll need to use the soft 
centres, and chop them finely before using. 
To infuse lemongrass flavour, you can use 
the trimmed outer leaves by crushing them 
with the flat of a chef’s knife or in a mortar 
and pestle, until you can smell the aromatic 
  oils. Add to your braises, soups, stocks or 
tea. The flavour of lemongrass intensifies 
Buying/Selecting:​Make sure that the  the longer it's cooked, so use it later in the 
stalks you buy are a pale green without  infusing process particularly as to not 
bruising, look fresh and feel heavy. If the  overwhelm other flavours. 
stalks are too light, it means that they've 
probably dried out.  

Storage:​ ​The stalks last a while in your 

fridge. Wrap the stalks in damp paper towel 
and store them in the vegetable drawer. 

If you have a lot of lemongrass, you can 

finely chop the centres and freeze them in 
 
small plastic bags. You can also puree them 
before freezing. The outer leaves can be 
dried and powdered for use in your dishes.  _____ 

  Did You Know?​ C

​ ats love 
lemongrass! They'll chew on the stalks 
  if you grow them indoors; however, 
lemongrass oils can sometimes be 
toxic to cats, so keep them away from 
 
the grass.   
 
 
 

, 
https://d1nw62gticy6e9.cloudfront.net/uploads/Instructions-for-Growing-Lemongrass.pdf​
https://www.metro.ca/en/online-grocery/aisles/fruits-vegetables/fresh-herbs/lemon-grass/p/068567020404
https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/products/all-about-lemongrass-oil.html
https://www.nda.agric.za/docs/Brochures/ProGuiLemonGrass.pdf​http://nhb.gov.in/model-project-reports/Horticulture%20Crops/Lemongrass/Lemongrass1.htm
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305495607_Lemongrass​, ​https://rasamalaysia.com/skillet-lemongrass-chicken/ 
https://www.foodbloggersofcanada.com/the-spice-box-getting-to-know-lemongrass/ 
 RECIPES 
SKILLET LEMONGRASS
LEMONGRASS, HONEY CHICKEN 
AND GINGER TEA

 
Serves: 3 
INGREDIENTS 

● 1 lemongrass, white part 

Serves: 2 cups of tea 
only 
  ● 12 oz skin-on chicken thighs, 
bones removed 
INSTRUCTIONS  ● 1 tablespoon honey 
● 1/4 teaspoon salt 
Trim the tops of the lemongrass stalks.  ● 3 dashes ground black 
Cut into 1 inch pieces and bash with a  pepper 
knife or in a mortar and pestle, until you  ● 1/8 teaspoon cayenne 
can smell the oils.  pepper, (optional) 
● Oil for pan-frying 
Place the lemongrass, grated ginger and 
honey in a teapot. Pour over the boiling  INSTRUCTIONS 
water and let it infuse for about 10  Finely chop lemongrass. 
minutes.   
Strain, reheat if required, and serve with  Marinate the chicken with lemongrass, 
extra honey to taste.  honey, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper 
for 30 minutes. 
   
Heat up a little bit of oil in skillet on 
  medium heat. Pan-fry the chicken, 
skin-side down first, until the skin 
  becomes nicely browned. Turn over and 
pan-fry until the meat is nicely browned 
  and crispy.  

Once cooked, finish off in the oven and 

 
broil for 1 minute to char the surface. 
Serve immediately with steamed rice. 

, 
https://d1nw62gticy6e9.cloudfront.net/uploads/Instructions-for-Growing-Lemongrass.pdf​
https://www.metro.ca/en/online-grocery/aisles/fruits-vegetables/fresh-herbs/lemon-grass/p/068567020404
https://www.newdirectionsaromatics.com/blog/products/all-about-lemongrass-oil.html
https://www.nda.agric.za/docs/Brochures/ProGuiLemonGrass.pdf​http://nhb.gov.in/model-project-reports/Horticulture%20Crops/Lemongrass/Lemongrass1.htm
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305495607_Lemongrass​, ​https://rasamalaysia.com/skillet-lemongrass-chicken/ 
https://www.foodbloggersofcanada.com/the-spice-box-getting-to-know-lemongrass/