18) My three fragrant friends better than my perfume
This Laksa leaf (polygonum odoratum) is one of the strong flavored among herb-plant species. Traditionally, it is a must to enhance laksa with it. Topping with this leaf makes this Singapore/Malaysia curry soup more wonderfully complete! Local delight “cereal crab” comes with these amazing leaves upgrade your taste bud to another level.
This is another popular fragrant herb, popularly found in Vietnamese spring rolls, salads and their local cuisine. In Thailand, most of their cuisine can’t do away with this well-liked fragrant plant, it is eaten raw or with spicy dips.
This is Lemon grass (cymbopogon citratus). When we mention about Thai curry or soups, we have to tag him along as well. The slender leaves with hairy and sharp edges, gives off a refreshing lemony fragrance one can’t forget. Lower parts of the stems are more commonly used in cooking or making drinks. It is commonly used in Vietnamese salads and spring rolls too.
This is Mugwort (artemisia vulgaris), commonly used in Japan/Korea for their festive rice cake. It gives the rice a greenish green. Aromatic mugwort are used as a cheaper alternative for tobacco too. It was used as a magical agent, protecting traveler against evil spirits and harmful animals in the Middle Ages. It is also an insect repellent, repelling insects like moth.
For some, these herbs are better than their perfume!
AddGrainOnEarth 
January 13, 2013 at 2:12 am
I love lemongrass and I love the food from your part of the world, Sydney!
January 13, 2013 at 2:23 am
If you want, I can talk about Lei/Thunder tea the next chapter! Is a very healthy and energy giving food!
Thanks Cathy! You are always so supportive! Enjoy your peaceful weekend! 🙂
January 13, 2013 at 2:25 am
That sounds great! You, too, Sydney!
January 13, 2013 at 3:40 am
I miss home-made Laksa sauce in which they put a lot of Laksa leaves. The store bought sauce just does not taste as good.
January 13, 2013 at 10:56 am
Ya, factory made factory taste, can’t over take the original!
January 13, 2013 at 3:48 am
Sydney, thank you for the images and the comparison. It’s important to know what these plants look like. To southerners, Mugwort has been traditionally used for a typical food during the Chinese Tomb Sweeping Festival too.
January 13, 2013 at 11:07 am
O, is it? Thanks for sharing, the “qing ming” festive is coming, we’ll see Mugwort by then!
Thanks Janet! Wish you a great day and peaceful weekend!
January 13, 2013 at 9:10 am
I love all the cuisines these greens are used in. What about Thai basil or cilantro?
January 13, 2013 at 5:10 pm
Basil is one of the mint specis, it has a given name “九层塔“in chinese culture, it means nine layer of Pagoda.
The name arises from the growing shape. It is very popular in Western and Asia cuisine.
For Cilantro/Chinese Parsley it has strong odor and is widely used in Asian cooking as well as Mexican. If you top it up on the fired kechup prawn, I tell you, you never forget him!
January 13, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Sydney
Thanks for visiting. All the best to you.
January 13, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Hey Victor, you are welcome!
May you be well and Happy in 2013!
Thanks!
January 13, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Good post!!!
January 13, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Thanks, my sweet Rexlin! You are always so encouraging!
I really feel so blesses!
Have a peaceful weekend! 🙂
January 13, 2013 at 3:49 pm
Hi- Just wanted to let you know that I nominated your work for “Blog of the Year 2012!” http://fictionalmachines.com/2013/01/13/blog-of-the-year-2012-two/ Keep up the great work & have a great one!
January 13, 2013 at 4:59 pm
Thanks, have a nice day!
January 13, 2013 at 5:17 pm
You’re very welcome, you too!
January 13, 2013 at 4:54 pm
That’s nice! Sometimes I like to pick a leaf and keep it inside a book or diary. Then after some time the pages smell good! Better than perfume 😉
January 13, 2013 at 4:58 pm
I prefer this than chanel no5! Haha!
January 13, 2013 at 8:43 pm
I am going to put a sprig of each of your friends in my hair when we are out Dancing Cheek to Cheek.
January 13, 2013 at 8:57 pm
Haha! Luckily I am not a cheeky guy!
January 14, 2013 at 9:59 pm
I love lemon grass, mint and rosemary! 😀
January 14, 2013 at 10:07 pm
For me, I love rose garden! 🙂
January 15, 2013 at 11:44 am
Ditto that.
January 15, 2013 at 11:56 am
Bingo! 🙂
January 18, 2013 at 7:07 pm
Pure Greenery , lemon grass I love emm. try it with Tea it’s Awesome 😀
January 18, 2013 at 11:19 pm
Thanks! 🙂