Ever wonder what are pandan leaves and where they are grown? What are these long tropical leaves used for? Are there any health benefits to using this natural leaf? Pandan leaves are commonly used in Southeast Asian and south Asian cuisine to add aroma and a beautiful green colour to food. Let’s go over how to easily extract pandan leaves. All you need is pandan leaves, water, a blender, cheesecloth or a fine mesh.
What are pandan leaves?
Pandan leaves are long and have blade-like green leaves. They are also known as screwpine and grow in a tropical climate. It’s most commonly used in Southeast Asian and South Asian cuisine. The leaves truly look like a house plant to those who have never seen this plant in person.
How are they used?
Pandan is versatile.
Pandan leaves cannot be eaten. Therefore its typically used as a wrap for food for steaming, grilling and infusing the aroma. or to make pandan juice or extract.
Pandan leaves are commonly used in both sweet and savoury recipes. The attractive and beautiful green colour is used to enhance the esthetics of many desserts.
Other ways the leaves are used:
- Cakes
- Various puddings
- Rice
- curries
- Drinks
- Desserts
What does it taste like?
To describe the taste of pandan can vary among different taste buds. I would describe pandan as a light citrusy coconut taste with a slight hint of vanilla.
Where to buy?
Fresh or frozen pandan leaves can be bought at your local Asian Supermarket. Fresh leaves will be in located in the produce section among the herbs section. The frozen leaves can generally be found near all the frozen herbs such as chopped lemon grass. This may vary where you live but in bigger cities with a larger Asian population, this can be easily found. On the package look out for an alternative name la dua.
If this is not an option in your local area, search online for it.
What is the difference between pandan juice vs pandan extract vs pandan water?
Pandan extract is the liquid that is squeezed out after blending the leaves with water
Pandan juice is also known as extract and is interchangeably used.
Pandan water is the top portion of the extract that has been left to settle overnight.
Concentrated pandan extract is the bottom portion of the extract after its been left to settle overnight.
Are there natural pandan health benefits?
There are many health benefits to using pandan leaves in one form or another. Per Healthline, pandan’s health benefits have been long used in non-western traditional medicine. These methods include their natural leaves, fruit, flowers, roots and oil.
Some of the common benefits include
- Reduce arthritis pain
- Manage blood sugar
- Better oral health
None of these are truly scientifically tested, but due to the wide use in non-western culture for many years, there is no reason to not give these leaves a try and incorporate it your recipes.
Is there a substitute option?
If the fresh or frozen pandan leaves are not available. The next best option is to use artificial pandan flavouring. This is the closest option you would have to get the flavour however, its not going to be as nearly good as using the real leaves.
If you’re in a pinch and can’t get a hold of pandan leaves or artificial flavour the closest substitute would be a vanilla bean or vanilla extract for the similar sweet and floral notes.
How long can you store the leaves and the juice and extract?
Pandan extract should be used within 48 hours. Freezing and storing the extract unfortunately does not hold the aroma and flavour well. It is recommended to use it right away. Therefore planning out the recipe if you decide to use fresh/frozen pandan to make the extract should be highly considered.
Step-by-step instructions
- – Step 1 – Clean the pandan leaves with water. Ensure to scrub both sides of the leaves.
- – Step 2 – Cut the leaves into 2 inches and place them into the blender. Add the water and blend on high until the pandan leaves is all blended.
- – Step 3 – Pour the blended pandan leaves into a fine mesh strainer and use the back of a spoon to press the juice out.
If you made this Pandan leave extract feel free to let me know!
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Pandan leave extract
Equipment
- Fine mesh strainer cheesecloth
Ingredients
- 30 g pandan leaves
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Clean the pandan leaves with water. Ensure to scrub both sides of the leaves.
- Cut the leaves into 2 inches and place them into the blender. Add the water and blend on high until the pandan leaves is all blended.
- Pour the blended pandan leaves into a fine mesh strainer and use the back of a spoon to press the juice out.