lemon grass
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A tropical grass native to India and Sri Lanka: A tall, perennial grass (Cymbopogon citratus) known for its long, thin, sharp-edged leaves and its strong, lemony aroma and flavor. 2. An aromatic oil that smells like lemon: The essential oil extracted from this grass, widely used as a flavoring in Asian cuisine and as a fragrance in perfumes and medicines.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Plant):
- The recipe calls for a stalk of fresh lemon grass to be bruised and added to the soup.
- You can grow lemon grass in a pot if you live in a temperate climate.
- Noun (Flavoring/Oil):
- The distinctive taste of Thai tom yum soup comes from lemon grass.
- The aroma of lemon grass oil is used in aromatherapy for its calming effects.
Advanced Usage
- "Lemongrass" as a single word: The term is frequently written as a closed compound, "lemongrass", especially when referring to it as a culinary ingredient or product (e.g., lemongrass paste, lemongrass tea).
- For a quicker option, you can use minced lemongrass from a tube.
Variants and Related Words
- Cymbopogon citratus: The botanical (Latin) name for the most common species of lemon grass.
- Citronella grass (): A closely related species whose oil is used primarily in insect repellents and soaps, rather than in cooking.
Synonyms
- Citronella (Note: This specifically refers to a different species, , used for its insect-repellent oil. It is not a perfect culinary synonym.)
- Sereh (Indonesian/Malay name for lemon grass, often used in English contexts discussing Southeast Asian cuisine).
Related Phrases and Idioms
- Lemongrass-infused: Describing a liquid (like oil, broth, or tea) in which the flavor of lemon grass has been steeped.
- The chicken was poached in a lemongrass-infused coconut broth.
- Lemongrass essential oil: The concentrated oil extracted from the grass, used in alternative medicine and perfumery.
Noun
- a tropical grass native to India and Sri Lanka
- an aromatic oil that smells like lemon and is widely used in Asian cooking and in perfumes and medicines