Nature’s gift to drinks, desserts, and liqueur

Pandan, also known as Pandanus Amaryllifolius, is a tropical plant widely known for its fragrant leaves, which have been a staple ingredient in Southeast Asian and South Asian cuisines for centuries. Pandan’s distinctive aroma and flavor are celebrated in a variety of culinary creations, from desserts and drinks to even liqueur. But there’s one visual trait that’s instantly recognizable across all pandan-based foods and beverages—its characteristic green color. Why is pandan always associated with the color green, and what gives these dishes and drinks their vibrant hue?

The Natural Green of Pandan Leaves
The leaves of the pandan plant are naturally green, which is where the color originates. This is due to the presence of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for the green color in most plants. Chlorophyll is vital for photosynthesis, the process through which plants convert sunlight into energy. As a result, pandan leaves, like most plant leaves, retain a rich, green color as they grow in sun-rich environments.

When pandan leaves are used in cooking or extracted for flavoring, they often impart this green color to whatever dish or drink they are used in. Pandan is traditionally blended or pounded into a paste, and its juice is extracted, which contains not only its signature aromatic compounds but also its chlorophyll. The resulting pandan extract naturally imbues dishes and drinks with its green hue, particularly in recipes where the leaves are directly used, such as the famous Pandan Chiffon cake.

Pandan Drinks: A Refreshing Burst of Green
Pandan drinks are widely popular, particularly in Southeast Asia, where pandan-flavored teas, cocktails, and sweet beverages like Pandan-infused coconut milk are common. When pandan leaves are steeped in water or blended with other liquids, the chlorophyll from the leaves seeps into the drink, lending it a gentle, pastel green color. Examples of this are pandan lattes and pandan-infused cocktails. They often feature a vibrant shade of green, made more intense when paired with coconut milk or other light-colored bases.

Pandan Desserts: Sweet, Aromatic, and Green
Pandan has also made its mark in the world of desserts, contributing not only its unique flavor but also its recognizable green color. In these desserts, pandan juice or extract is often mixed into batters, doughs, and custards, resulting in a natural green tint.

One famous example is the Pandan layer cake (Pandan Spekuk), where layers of cake are infused with pandan extract. The green shade in these sweets is a visual cue for the fragrant flavor of pandan.

Pandan Liqueur: A Bold Twist on Green Drinks
The versatility of pandan extends beyond the kitchen and into the world of cocktails and liqueurs. Pandan liqueur is a relatively recent innovation that has gained popularity for its distinctive aroma and visual appeal.

Bandoeng’22 is a multi-award-winning liqueur with the distinguished taste, scent and color of pandan. Established in 2019, it’s made in the Netherlands and is a tribute to our Dutch-Indonesian heritage. Born and raised with this amazing ingredient, we give you the authentic pandan liqueur to upscale your mixology, coffee and dessert creations.
For cocktail recipes with our liqueur click here.

Conclusion
The green color of pandan drinks, desserts, and pasties is a natural byproduct of the plant’s chlorophyll content. This green pigment gives pandan its characteristic hue when extracted and used in cooking or beverage preparation. Whether it’s a delicate pandan cake, a vibrant pandan cocktail, or a simple pandan-infused drink, the green color of pandan is both a visual and aromatic reminder of the plant’s fresh, tropical origins.