What is Pandan?

Pandan is a tropical leaf used widely in Southeast Asian cooking and baking. It is loved for its distinctive aroma, fresh green color, and versatile flavour profile. Many people describe pandan as soft, fragrant and slightly sweet, with notes reminiscent of vanilla, coconut and freshly cooked rice.

For generations, pandan leaves have been used in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines. Today, pandan is also gaining popularity far beyond Asia, as more chefs, bartenders and home cooks discover its unique character.

What does pandan taste like?

Pandan has a delicate and recognisable flavor. It is often described as aromatic, mildly sweet and creamy, with hints of vanilla, coconut, grass and floral notes. Because of this profile, pandan is sometimes called Asian vanilla, although its taste is more layered and distinctive.

Its flavor works beautifully in both sweet and savoury recipes. Pandan can add warmth and fragrance to desserts, but also depth and softness to rice dishes, sauces and drinks.

What is pandan used for?

Pandan is one of the most versatile ingredients in Southeast Asian cuisine. The leaves are used in several ways:

For aroma
Pandan leaves are often added to rice, coconut milk, syrups and desserts to infuse them with their signature fragrance.

For flavor
Pandan is used in cakes, puddings, cookies, curries, drinks and many traditional sweets.

For color
When processed into extract or paste, pandan gives food and drinks a beautiful natural green colour.

Fresh pandan leaves can be tied into a knot, bruised, boiled, steeped or blended, depending on the recipe and the desired result.

Where does pandan come from?

Pandan, also known as screwpine, is a tropical plant that grows throughout Southeast Asia. It has long, narrow green leaves that are harvested for culinary use. In countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia, pandan has been part of daily cooking for generations and is closely connected to family recipes, local traditions and comforting flavors from home.

That deep cultural connection is one of the reasons pandan has become such a meaningful ingredient in modern food and drink innovation.

Why is pandan becoming more popular?

Pandan is increasingly appreciated by chefs, bartenders and food lovers looking for new flavors with an authentic story. Its appeal lies in its versatility: it feels both familiar and unexpected. It can be creamy, floral, green, elegant and exotic all at once.

As Asian cuisine continues to grow in popularity around the world, ingredients like pandan are naturally gaining more attention. From desserts and coffee to cocktails and fine dining, pandan offers something distinctive that stands out.

Pandan in cocktails and desserts

Pandan is not only used in traditional dishes. It also works beautifully in modern serves such as cocktails, desserts and after-dinner drinks. Its aromatic sweetness pairs well with citrus, coconut, coffee, vanilla, chocolate and a wide range of spices.

That is exactly why pandan is such an exciting ingredient in liqueurs. It brings color, aroma and flavor together in a way that feels original and refined.

Discover Bandoeng’22 Pandan Liqueur

Bandoeng’22 is an award-winning premium pandan liqueur from the Netherlands, inspired by Indonesian flavors and heritage. It captures the fragrant character of pandan in a way that is accessible, versatile and ideal for cocktails, desserts and food pairing.

Whether you enjoy pandan for the first time or already know its unique charm, Bandoeng’22 offers a contemporary way to explore this remarkable Southeast Asian flavor.

Discover how pandan comes to life in our liqueur, cocktails and desserts.

Do you want to know more about Pandan?

From here, you can discover more about pandan through our related insights on its aroma, taste and color, learn why Bandoeng’22 is known for its emerald green character, and explore how pandan works beautifully in cocktails, desserts and Asian food pairings. You can also visit our product page to discover the story and flavor behind Bandoeng’22 Pandan Liqueur.