Lemon grass is a well known flavor in eastern cuisine with a strong and lovely lemon scent. It is very commonly confused with citronella grass which smells very similar but are two different plants. Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and Citronella grass ( Cymbopogon nardus) have two distinct differences that are easily used to tell the two apart. Lemon grass is a lower growing species with a maximum height of about 1m and it also does not produce any flowers. Citronella grass on the other hand flowers in spring and is a majestic tall grass, reaching heights of over 2m. They both can be used in similar ways and contain a lot of the same compounds. Lemon grass tea is a lovely beverage that can be taken on a daily basis or the stems can be added to Thai dishes like curries and sauces. It makes a refreshing Ice tea for those hot summer days and besides tasting great it has many benefits including easing digestion, anti-bacterial properties, it helps clear up nasal congestion, boosts metabolism, lowers cholesterol and helps clear up a headache. All this from a pleasant cup of lemon grass tea!
