The lemongrass plant has many names. It is often referred to as lemongrass, and cymbopogon, and lemongrass, and even shuttlebeard. It is mainly used as a spice, but lemon grass can also be used for medicinal purposes.
Outwardly, lemongrass resembles a sprawling bush, consisting of thin, long and rather dense leaves with pointed edges. They are then used as a spice. Some types of such lemon grass can reach a height of 2 m. This plant grows mainly on the African continent, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia. In some African countries, it is planted to get rid of flies and various insects, which are deterred by the pronounced scent of lemongrass.
Lemongrass culinary uses
Lemongrass is especially widely used as a spice in Caribbean and Asian cuisine. It is added to a wide variety of dishes, from soups to desserts. It goes well with meat, fish, cereals and vegetables. Thanks to its citrus-ginger taste and aroma, it makes dishes more interesting and savory. Lemongrass, for example, is included in the classic recipe for the popular Thai soup Tom Yam.
Typically, lemongrass is used dry, crushed, adding it to dishes almost at the very end. However, in the homeland of this plant, fresh leaves are often used. To do this, they are finely chopped, placed in a dish during cooking, and taken out before serving, since they are quite tough. Naturally, in the latter case, the spice gives off much more aroma and taste.
Lemongrass pulp is sometimes used as a marinade for meat or fish. For these purposes, the hard surface of the leaves is cut off, and what remains under them is rubbed and applied to pieces of meat. In this case, it turns out to be soft, juicy, aromatic and has a spicy citrus flavor.
Lemon grass goes well with other spices like cinnamon, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and chili. You can also use it with various herbs: parsley or flavored cilantro. The dish will also taste interesting if you add it to lemongrass along with coconut milk.
Medicinal uses of lemongrass
Lemongrass is often used as an anti-inflammatory due to its antiseptic properties. The plant contains geraniol and central - chemical components that promote disinfection and rapid healing of wounds. In addition, lemongrass contains many vitamins and minerals: ascorbic and niacin, the entire group of B vitamins, copper, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium and others.
In large quantities, lemongrass is added to various drinks, for example, to tea, which in this case tones up, helps maintain immunity, and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. Lemongrass tea helps and relieve depression.
