Lemongrass – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is lemongrass?

This herb is the stalk of the lemongrass plant (Cymbopogon citratus) and has a lemony scent with a hint of ginger. It can be used fresh or dried and is commonly found in Thai cooking. It goes by other names, including silky heads, Cochin grass, oily heads, citronella grass, fever grass, barbed wire grass, and Malabar grass.

Fresh herbs like lemongrass add zing to a wide range of dishes, including soups, stews, and even tea.

Where did lemongrass originate from?

Most lemongrass species come from South and Southeast Asia and Australia. Varieties of the herb can also be found in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Burma. It was originally cultivated for food but also medicine and cosmetics. It later came to Haiti and Florida.

Although lemongrass grows best in tropical and subtropical climates, it can be grown annually in cooler temperatures. Find lemongrass in the fresh produce section of grocery stores and use Instacart to get same-day delivery and pick-up.

What is the nutritional value of lemongrass?

Lemongrass is as popular for its therapeutic properties as it is for its taste. Like many other fresh produce forms, it is vitamin- and mineral-rich. Its contents include:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamins B-2, 3, and 6
• Folate
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Sodium
• Copper
• Manganese
• Selenium
• Zinc

Lemongrass also contains iron. That iron is part of hemoglobin, which transfers oxygen into the blood from one’s lungs. Lemongrass is also very rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Both of these ingredients are antioxidants. Health experts also believe that lemongrass contains antibacterial and antifungal agents.

How do you eat lemongrass?

Whole fresh lemongrass is chewy when eaten raw, so the stalk must be removed first.

When using fresh lemongrass in cooking, remove the lower bulb and outer leaves and just use the main yellow stalk. Cutting the stalk into sections and then bending them will release the aroma. Lemongrass makes a delightful addition to curries or soups, but the pieces should be set aside before consumption.

If the lemongrass will be eaten, it should be sliced very thinly or fed through a food processor. Dried lemongrass and lemongrass powder can be used in cooking when fresh lemongrass is unavailable in the produce section.

How is lemongrass grown?

Lemongrass grows best when planted in the spring after the earth has thawed.  It needs full sun and soil that is well-drained and has a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. The plants must be placed about 2ft apart, as they tend to spread.

Hot locations are the best place for lemongrass, and it is usually harvested when the stalks grow to about 1 to 2ft tall. It can be harvested at any time throughout the growing season. They can grow as tall as 6-1/2ft.

When is lemongrass in season?

June through November are typically the best months for the lemongrass herb, although dried varieties and powder can be found year-round.

Most lemongrass in the United States is grown in California due to its warm climate.

How do you pick lemongrass at the grocery store?

The lemongrass plants look like fat scallions. They have a yellow-green stalk that fades into a tough white root. The best lemongrass has stalks that are green, fragrant, and hard to the touch.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for lemongrass via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for lemongrass.

How to store lemongrass

Lemongrass stores very well in both the refrigerator and freezer.  When it arrives from the grocery store, use plastic wrap or foil to wrap the untrimmed stalks. Then, place it in the refrigerator, where it will last for up to 2 weeks.

If the lemongrass won’t be used immediately, trim the green tops off the stalks. Then, wrap the stalks in plastic and seal them into ziplock bags. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them briefly before preparing them for cooking.

Lemongrass can also be ground into a paste. If you are grinding it by hand, use a mortar and pestle. It can also be pulverized in a food processor. Divide it into 1tbsp mounds and store it in ziplock bags in the freezer. The paste doesn’t need to be thawed before use.

How to tell if lemongrass bad

If the outer leaves are desiccated (or dried out), the lemongrass has probably been sitting too long and will not be flavorful. If it has a bad odor or is spotted, the lemongrass is, most likely, past its prime.

As noted above, lemongrass can be stored in many ways, and home chefs will often prep and freeze it to make sure they always have the most fragrant herb on hand.

What can I substitute for lemongrass?

An easy-to-find replacement for lemongrass is lemon zest. Lemon zest is simply the grated skin of a fresh lemon. One lemon’s skin is equal to 2 lemongrass stalks. Although lemon zest will give dishes a lemon flavor, adding an arugula leaf will make the taste more similar to lemongrass.

Coriander and ginger can also be combined to replicate the taste of lemongrass.

Keeping dried lemongrass on hand is another great option.

Where can I find lemongrass near me?

Find lemongrass, along with other fresh herbs and fresh produce, year-round for same-delivery and pick-up via Instacart. Shop for lemongrass on Instacart now to boost the flavor of your next dish.

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