Tea Collection: Lemongrass Tea (Southeast Asia)
What is Lemongrass Tea?
Lemongrass Tea is a cup shaped by sunlight.
Bright, citrus-laced, and quietly invigorating, it has long been brewed across Southeast Asia as a daily tonic — something served to guests, simmered in home kitchens, or poured after meals to refresh the body. Its fragrance rises instantly: clean lemon peel, green stems, and a whisper of ginger-like warmth. Even before tasting it, the aroma alone feels clarifying.
Unlike many traditional teas, lemongrass is not derived from Camellia sinensis; it is an herbal infusion, meaning its character is more about brightness than depth. When steeped, the liquid glows a soft gold, carrying flavours that are crisp, gentle, and soothing. It is the kind of tea that resets you — a warm breath, a quiet reset, a reminder to move slowly.
To understand its place in the wider tea world, it helps to compare it with other aromatic herbal and floral styles. The golden gentleness of Chamomile shares its calming spirit, while the ruby vibrance of Hibiscus shows how citrus-like brightness can take on a tart, refreshing edge. For a deeper look at how florals blend with green teas, the uplifting notes in Osmanthus Oolong provide a fragrant parallel.
Readers exploring the structure of Asian tea traditions can find cultural context in The Art of Asian Tea, while clean Japanese expressions such as Sencha offer a refreshing contrast in texture and clarity. And for those drawn to more floral aromatics, Jasmine Silver Needle reveals how soft, airy scents evolve in different tea families.
Lemongrass Tea is simplicity at its most luminous — a herbal infusion that tastes like open windows, fresh air, and warmth drifting into a room.
Ingredients
2–3 g dried lemongrass (or 1 fresh stalk, sliced)
200 ml hot water (95°C)
Equipment Needed
Teapot or heatproof glass
Kettle
Fine strainer
Method
Heat water to about 95°C.
Add lemongrass to your vessel.
Pour hot water slowly over it.
Steep for 4–6 minutes for a bright, aromatic cup.
Strain and serve warm.
Optional: add a touch of honey for body or ginger for warmth.
Notes
Lemongrass Tea pairs beautifully with floral or fruity companions. The jasmine sweetness of Jasmine Silver Needle complements its citrus notes, while the tart lift of Hibiscus shows how acidity transforms its brightness into something more vivid.
Because lemongrass is naturally aromatic, it benefits from long, gentle steeping. Too short, and the flavour can feel thin; too long, and bitterness may appear. Start slow. Let the fragrance guide you.
