Let's go, lemongrass

What's in a name?

With its distinctly lemon-like taste and long green stalks, lemongrass is aptly named. This shrub-like herb is native to tropical regions of Asia and is extremely popular in Thai dishes (tom yum soup, anybody?). It brings to mind scents of citronella and pairs well with savory and sweet dishes thanks to its fragrant, herbaceous scent and floral sweetness. With a host of health benefits, lemongrass doesn't just brighten up the flavour of a dish- it also brings a much welcomed nutritional boost to our soups here at Toronto Soup Company. 

A healthy herb
​
Lemongrass has a long history of being used medicinally; it's considered an essential herb in ayurvedic practices, where it's used to help alleviate symptoms of the common cold, while these days it's best-known as a handy sleep aid. Whether you're having trouble sleeping, have digestive issues, are struggling with high blood pressure, or have anxiety, lemongrass is rich in vitamins and minerals that are sure to help soothe aches and pains and perk you back up. When looking to use lemongrass for its health benefits, most people opt for herbal tea, but there are many ways to make the most of its healing properties. Try it as an essential oil applied directly to where you're feeling pain (abdominal pain, stomach ache, muscle pain), or toss the oil into your favourite aromatherapy gadget. Or, of course, throw it in some soup.

Let's get cooking!

When cooking with lemongrass, you've got a couple of different options: fresh, dried, or powdered leaves. While fresh is our preference (we can never get enough of that perfect lemon-ginger flavour) if it's your first time using lemongrass, you may wonder where to start. Our main tip is to peel off the tough outer layers of the stalk and trim down the length, especially the base. Then all you need to do is decide what's the best method for your meal. Batons, grated, sliced; the choice is all yours. And whether you mince it like garlic or finely slice it and boil it down so it's tender to bite, you'll be glad you went through the effort once you're sitting down to eat. It's perfect for soups, excellent in marinades, and a favourite in curries- basically, we love it. 

Looking for more lemongrass in your life? Be sure to try our thai coconut curry with chicken or thai carrot lentil soup!