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How to Make Lemongrass Tea from Dried Herb
Lemongrass tea is bright, gently grassy and pleasantly citrusy, with no lemon required. If you have dried lemongrass in your cupboard, the simplest method is to steep one teaspoon in one cup of boiling water for 15 minutes, then strain. This guide shows you how to make lemongrass tea from dried herb, adjust the flavour without masking it, serve it hot or iced, and keep the preparation easy and sensible.
What is lemongrass tea?
Lemongrass tea is a herbal infusion made with the aromatic leaves of lemongrass. The accepted botanical name for the species commonly used in food and tea is Cymbopogon citratus. It is a tropical grass rather than a citrus fruit, but its aroma has clear lemony notes.
Dried lemongrass makes a light-coloured cup with a fresh, clean flavour. It can be enjoyed on its own or used as a bright supporting ingredient in a simple home herbal tea blend.
How do you make lemongrass tea from dried herb?
Use one teaspoon of dried lemongrass for each cup of boiling water. Steep for 15 minutes, strain well and taste before adding anything else. This is the current preparation method on Gaia Garden’s dried lemongrass product page.
- Measure the herb. Add one teaspoon of dried lemongrass to a mug, teapot or roomy infuser.
- Add the water. Pour one cup of freshly boiled water over the herb.
- Steep for 15 minutes. Cover the mug or pot if you can; this helps keep the aromatic steam close to the infusion.
- Strain carefully. Remove all of the cut leaf pieces before drinking.
- Taste it plain first. The gentle citrus character is easiest to notice before sweetener or other herbs are added.
Brewing with dried lemongrass? Gaia Garden’s current loose herb is available in the shop and follows the one-teaspoon, 15-minute method used above.
Shop Organic LemongrassHow can you adjust the flavour?
If the first cup tastes too light, use a slightly rounded teaspoon next time rather than extending the steep for a long time. For a softer cup, use a level teaspoon and add a little more hot water after straining. Keeping the 15-minute steep consistent makes it easier to learn how the herb tastes at different strengths.
A small amount of honey can round the edges, while a squeeze of lime makes the citrus character sharper. Try one change at a time. Lemongrass has a delicate aroma, and several strong additions can quickly cover it.
Can you make lemongrass tea iced?
Yes. Brew the tea with the same one-teaspoon-to-one-cup ratio, steep for 15 minutes and strain. Let it cool, refrigerate it promptly in a clean covered container, then pour over ice. Preparing only what you plan to enjoy that day keeps the flavour lively.
If you want a stronger iced cup, brew it with slightly less water rather than leaving loose herb in the liquid while it chills. A wedge of lime is a natural pairing, but taste the tea first so you can adjust it gently.
What pairs well with lemongrass?
Lemongrass works especially well with ginger, mint and mild green tea. Ginger adds warmth, mint makes the cup feel cooler and green tea adds a more structured, gently bitter base. If you use green tea, remember that it contains caffeine and usually needs a shorter steep than lemongrass. Brew the herbs separately, then combine the finished infusions to taste.
For a blend built entirely from herbs, start with lemongrass as the main ingredient and add a smaller amount of a companion herb. The infusion versus decoction guide can help you decide whether different plant parts should be prepared together or separately.
Is lemongrass tea caffeine-free?
Pure lemongrass tea is naturally caffeine-free because it does not contain tea leaf from Camellia sinensis. A blend can still contain caffeine when lemongrass is combined with green tea, black tea, yerba mate or another caffeinated ingredient. If caffeine matters to you, check every ingredient rather than relying on the word “herbal.” Our guide to caffeine in herbal tea explains the distinction.
A few things to keep in mind
Follow the product directions and avoid assuming a stronger cup is a better cup. Gaia Garden’s current product page notes that high amounts may cause dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, increased urination or increased appetite. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication, or have a health condition, check with a qualified health-care professional before regular use.
Dried lemongrass and lemongrass essential oil are not interchangeable. Tea directions apply to the dried herb only.
Frequently asked questions
How long should dried lemongrass steep?
Steep one teaspoon per cup of boiling water for 15 minutes, then strain. This matches the current Gaia Garden product directions. Covering the vessel is optional, but it helps keep the fragrant steam near the tea.
Can I reuse the same lemongrass?
A second steep is possible, but it will usually be much lighter. For a consistent cup, use fresh dried herb each time. Store the remainder sealed, dry and away from heat and direct light; see our dried-herb storage guide for practical tips.
Is lemongrass tea the same as lemon tea?
No. Lemongrass tea is an infusion of an aromatic grass. Lemon tea usually means tea flavoured with lemon fruit, peel or juice. They can share a bright citrus impression, but they come from different plants and taste different.
Does lemongrass tea count as a tisane?
Yes. A tisane is a drink made by infusing plant material other than true tea leaf. Lemongrass tea is therefore a tisane, even though everyday language usually calls it herbal tea. Read what makes a tisane different from true tea.
Ready to brew a bright, citrusy cup?
Lemongrass is easy to prepare once you know the basic ratio: one teaspoon, one cup and 15 minutes. Start simple, learn its flavour, then try it iced or alongside one carefully chosen companion herb.
View Gaia Garden Organic Lemongrass
For more loose botanicals, browse the Dried Herbs collection.
