Understanding Pandan as a Flavoring

Pandan is a tropical plant whose long green leaves provide both natural coloring and distinctive flavor to baked goods. The juice extracted from pandan leaves creates a subtle, vanilla-like taste with grassy, nutty undertones. Its pale green color is completely natural and indicates authentic pandan flavor. Some describe the taste as an acquired one, making it a love-or-hate ingredient. In Southeast Asian baking, pandan is as common as vanilla is in Western desserts. When using pandan, the flavor can be intensified by using more leaves or pandan extract. It pairs beautifully with coconut and palm sugar.