What is Lemongrass?

Lemongrass is the cut and sifted dried Cymbopogon citratus, a tall citrus-scented tropical grass in the grass family (Poaceae) native to tropical Asia and now cultivated in warm climates worldwide.

About the plant

Despite the name, lemongrass is unrelated to lemons; its citrus aroma comes from citral, the same compound found in lemon peel. It is a classic culinary ingredient across Southeast Asian cuisines, appearing in Thai tom yum and curry pastes, Vietnamese pho, and Indonesian rendang, and it is distinct from Lemon Verbena and from Lemon Balm, which belong to other plant families.

Related herbs

• Lemon Balm — another lemon-scented herb, from the mint family.

Lemongrass: form & sizes

We carry Lemongrass as organic cut and sifted dried grass, sold by weight in sizes from 1 oz to 1 lb. We make no health or therapeutic claims.

Storage

Store Lemongrass in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and humidity, to preserve its color and aroma.

Lemongrass at a glance

Botanical name

Cymbopogon citratus

Family

Poaceae

Native region

tropical Asia

Plant part

leaf and stalk

Sourcing

Organic

Also known as

Barbed Wire Grass, Fever Grass, Citronella Grass

Aromatic compound

Citral

Form

cut and sifted dried grass

Sizes

1 oz to 1 lb