Pure Lemongrass Tea isn't just one recipe. It's two. A quick stovetop decoction pulls a bold, medicinal-strength cup, while a simple steep gives you a lighter, everyday infusion. Here's exactly how to brew both, and how to choose between them.
If you've picked up a packet of Nepal Tea Exchange's 62° Pure Lemongrass Tea, you may have noticed the Preparation Guide on the product page actually lists two different methods, not one. That's intentional. Pure Lemongrass Tea, made from handpicked Cymbopogon citratus grown in Ilam, Nepal, is a caffeine-free herbal tisane, and tisanes generally reward a little more brewing flexibility than a standard black or green tea. This guide walks through both preparation methods on their own terms, what each one produces, and how to pick the right one for how you actually plan to drink it.
In this guide
Decoction (stovetop boil) → Normal Steeping (infuser) → which to choose → common brewing mistakes → iced preparation → storage → FAQ
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Why Pure Lemongrass Tea Has Two Brewing Methods
Most flavored black or green teas are built around one steeping window because the tea leaf itself is the delicate ingredient, and oversteeping it leads to bitterness. Pure Lemongrass Tea is different: it's 100% dried lemongrass stalk and leaf, a sturdier plant material that can take sustained heat without turning bitter the way tea leaves do. That's what makes a true decoction possible here, alongside the gentler steeping method more familiar to tea drinkers.
Neither method is "more correct." They simply produce two different cups:
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Decoction: a short, active boil that draws out a fuller, more concentrated, slightly grassier-citrus cup. This is the method traditionally used when lemongrass is being brewed for its stronger, more warming character.
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Normal Steeping: a passive infusion, closer to how you'd brew any loose-leaf tea, producing a lighter, brighter, more everyday cup.
Method 1: Decoction (Stovetop Boil)
A decoction means simmering the lemongrass directly in water on the stove, rather than pouring hot water over it. It's the method to reach for when you want a stronger, more concentrated cup, for example on a cold evening or when you're brewing lemongrass alongside other whole spices.
What you'll need
2 to 3g Pure Lemongrass Tea (about 1 heaped teaspoon) · 250ml fresh, cold water · a small saucepan · a strainer or infuser
Steps
- Add the cold water and lemongrass directly to a small saucepan. Starting with cold water, rather than adding the leaves to already-boiling water, helps draw out more flavor as the water heats.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a gentle boil and let it continue for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for a further 1 minute off the heat. This short standing time lets the last of the aromatics settle into the liquid without pushing the boil any longer.
- Strain into a cup, discarding the spent lemongrass. Serve as is, or with a touch of honey once the tea has cooled slightly.
The result is a fuller-bodied cup with a rounder, more pronounced citrus-grass character. This is the version worth reaching for when you want lemongrass tea to feel more like a remedy than a light refreshment.
Method 2: Normal Steeping (Teapot or Infuser)
This is the more familiar route for most tea drinkers, and the better everyday choice if you're brewing a single cup at your desk or want something lighter after a meal.
What you'll need
2g Pure Lemongrass Tea · 250ml water heated to a full boil (100°C) · a teapot, infuser basket, or heatproof mug
Steps
- Bring fresh water to a full rolling boil.
- Place the lemongrass into your infuser or teapot and pour the boiling water directly over it, making sure the leaves are fully submerged.
- Cover and steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Because lemongrass is a hardier botanical, this is a wider, more forgiving window than you'd use for green or black tea; a minute either way won't tip the cup into bitterness.
- Remove the infuser or strain, and serve hot.
This method produces a lighter, brighter cup with a cleaner citrus top note, and a better match for daytime drinking, or as a caffeine-free alternative when you want something warm without the intensity of a decoction.
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Decoction vs. Steeping: Which Should You Choose?
| |
Decoction |
Normal Steeping |
| Time |
3 to 4 min boil, plus 1 min rest |
5 to 7 min steep |
| Strength |
Bold, concentrated |
Light, everyday |
| Equipment |
Saucepan + strainer |
Teapot or infuser |
| Best for |
Evenings, colder weather, brewing with other spices |
Daytime, quick single cups, lighter refreshment |
Neither is technically the "official" NTE method. Both come from the same product's Preparation Guide, and the right one comes down to how strong you want your cup and how much time you have. New to Pure Lemongrass Tea? Start with Normal Steeping. Already know you like a bolder cup, or brewing for someone who's under the weather? Reach for the decoction.
Common Brewing Mistakes to Avoid
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Boiling too long. Lemongrass is forgiving compared to tea leaves, but a decoction pushed well past 4 to 5 minutes can start to taste flat rather than fuller. It isn't a "more boiling, more flavor" ingredient indefinitely.
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Using water that's gone off the boil. For the steeping method especially, water that's cooled before pouring won't draw out the same brightness. Bring it to a full boil right before you pour.
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Chopping or crushing the stalks further before brewing. Pure Lemongrass Tea is already cut to an ideal infusion size. Over-processing it further can make straining harder without meaningfully improving extraction.
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Reusing the same batch for a third infusion. A light second steep is fine, but by the third round, the cup will mostly taste like warm water.
Can You Brew Pure Lemongrass Tea Iced?
Yes. Because it's naturally caffeine-free, it's a good candidate for all-day iced drinking. Brew a double-strength batch using the steeping method (roughly double the leaf for the same water), let it cool to room temperature, then pour over ice. Avoid brewing hot and pouring directly over ice without the double-strength adjustment, since melting ice will dilute a standard-strength cup quickly.
Storing Your Lemongrass Tea for the Best Brew
Good brewing starts before the kettle goes on. Keep Pure Lemongrass Tea in an airtight container, away from direct light, heat, and moisture, and it will hold its aromatic citrus character considerably longer than if left in an open packet. As with any loose-leaf tea or tisane, brew from a well-sealed batch for the truest flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lemongrass tea caffeine-free?
Yes. Nepal Tea Exchange's 62° Pure Lemongrass Tea is a 100% caffeine-free herbal tisane, since it's made entirely from the lemongrass plant rather than the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). It can be enjoyed at any time of day, including in the evening.
How long should you steep lemongrass tea?
For Normal Steeping, 5 to 7 minutes in freshly boiled water. If you're making a decoction on the stovetop instead, a 3 to 4 minute simmer followed by 1 minute off the heat is the recommended timing.
What's the difference between decoction and steeping?
A decoction actively simmers the lemongrass in water on the stove, producing a stronger, more concentrated cup. Steeping pours hot water over the leaves and lets them infuse passively, producing a lighter cup. Both are valid ways to prepare the same product.
Can lemongrass tea be served iced?
Yes. Brew it at roughly double strength using the steeping method, cool to room temperature, then pour over ice for a refreshing, caffeine-free cold drink.
How many cups of lemongrass tea can you drink per day?
Most people enjoy lemongrass tea as part of a normal daily routine in moderate serving sizes. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking prescription medication, or managing a health condition, speak with a healthcare provider before making it a regular habit.
Does over-boiling ruin lemongrass tea?
Lemongrass tolerates heat better than delicate tea leaves, but simmering well past the recommended 3 to 4 minutes can flatten the flavor rather than intensify it, so it's best to stick to the guided timing.
Do I need special equipment to brew lemongrass tea?
No. Normal Steeping only requires a teapot, infuser, or heatproof mug. A decoction needs nothing more than a small saucepan and a strainer.
Is Nepal Tea Exchange's lemongrass the same as Thai lemongrass?
Both come from the same broad lemongrass family (Cymbopogon), but NTE's Pure Lemongrass Tea is grown and hand-picked in Nepal's Ilam valley, giving it a growing-region character distinct from lemongrass cultivated elsewhere.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Statements regarding Pure Lemongrass Tea have not been evaluated by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC), Nepal, and this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, in accordance with Nepal's Food Act, 2081 (2024). If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a medical condition, consult a qualified healthcare provider before adding any new herbal tisane to your routine.
