Field guide · Summer (imported)

Lemongrass

Erva-príncipe in Portugal — prince's herb — citronnelle in France, Zitronengras in Germany: three names that all sound like something other than what it is. Imported into every European market, so it keeps no real season here. The usual error is chopping the whole stalk: only the pale bottom third is tender enough to eat, and the green top is for bruising and infusing, then fishing back out. Simplest thing to do with it: flatten the pale base with the side of a knife, drop it whole into whatever's simmering, remove before serving.

Noted 2026-07-26