So, the other day, I was in my garden, trying to figure out what to do with all these herbs I’ve been growing. I’ve got this one plant that smells amazing, like lemons, but I wasn’t sure what it was exactly. I thought it might be lemongrass, ’cause, you know, it smells like lemon and it’s kind of grassy. But then I got to thinking, is lemon balm the same thing? I mean, they both have “lemon” in their name, so they gotta be related, right?
I started digging around, doing a bit of research. First, I just looked at the plants. Lemon balm, it turns out, is this bushy herb with soft, kinda fuzzy leaves. It’s got this really strong lemon scent, especially when you crush the leaves a bit. I always thought it was great for making tea because of that strong smell, you know?
- Lemon balm’s features:
- Bushy with soft, fuzzy leaves
- Strong lemon scent
- Used for tea
Then there’s lemongrass. This stuff is totally different. It’s more like tall, stiff grass. Not soft at all, kinda rough, actually. And the smell, while lemony, is different—more intense, maybe? I remember using this in cooking before, especially in those Thai dishes my friend showed me how to make.
- Lemongrass’s features:
- Tall, stiff, and rough grass
- Intense lemon scent
- Used in cooking, especially Thai dishes
After looking at them side by side, I realized they’re not the same at all. I mean, one’s a bushy herb, and the other’s a tall grass. But that wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to know more about what makes them different.
So, I went online and started reading. Turns out, lemon balm is part of the mint family. Who knew? It’s got all these fancy names too, like Melissa officinalis, sweet balm, and a bunch of others. People use it for all sorts of things, like calming you down or helping you sleep. But it’s not for everyone. I read that kids under 18 shouldn’t use it, and neither should people with heart problems. Good to know, right?
So they are not the same?
Lemongrass, on the other hand, is just a type of grass. It comes from different parts of the world than lemon balm. And while they both have that lemony smell and taste, lemon balm is milder. I guess that’s why it’s good in tea—it doesn’t overpower the other flavors.
So, there you have it. My little adventure in figuring out the difference between lemon balm and lemongrass. They might both smell like lemons, but they’re totally different plants with different uses. I’m glad I finally figured it out, ’cause now I know exactly what I’m growing in my garden and how to use each one. Now I feel so accomplished!
Post Comment