Cymbopogon citratus,
commonly known as lemon grass or oil grass, is a tropical plant from Southeast
Asia. And In Indonesia know as Sereh or Serai.
Cymbopogon (lemongrass)
is a genus of about 55 species of grasses, (of which the type species is Cymbopogon
citratus ) native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old
World and Oceania. It is a tall perennial grass. Common
names include lemon grass, lemongrass, barbed wire grass, silky
heads, citronella grass,cha de Dartigalongue, fever grass, tanglad, hierba
Luisa or gavati chaha amongst many others.
Popular throughout Southeast Asia, lemon grass adds a subtle flavor entirely distinct from lemons. The extracted oil is called citonella and makes a decent natural mosquito repellent. lemon grass itself is fairly easy to grow in a pot inside the house with just a few blades pulled off as required.
Lemon grass is almost always available in Asian markets and it is starting to show up in major supermarkets as well. You can also find a dried, powdered version that is handy to keep around. Another good way to keep fresh lemon grass on hand is to freeze it and work with it directly from the freezer.
