Pandan Leaves

Inventory, lb : 14.37
This item was last sold on : 03/31/23

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Description/Taste

Pandan leaves are medium to large in size and are elongated, narrow, and oblong in shape. There are two distinct Pandan plant shapes. If the plant is left undisturbed and the leaves are not harvested, it will develop into a small tree with large, long, and thin green leaves that can reach up to two meters in length. If the leaves are continuously harvested, the plant will stay low to the ground forming a shrub-like appearance with smaller, narrow green leaves growing up to one meter in length. The upright green leaves taper to a point at the tip, and when attached to their stems, Pandan leaves resemble the top of a pineapple plant. Pandan leaves have a unique and distinct grassy aroma when first crushed that mellows out to a subtle, herbal, and floral aroma. When cooked, Pandan leaves have a nutty, almond, rose-like, and slightly sweet flavor.

Seasons/Availability

Pandan leaves are available year-round.

Current Facts

Pandan leaves, botanically classified as Pandanus amaryllifolius, grow on an herbaceous tropical plant that is rare to find in the wild but is widely cultivated. Also known as Screwpine in English, Rampe in Hindi, Takonoki in Japanese, Daun Pandan in Malaysian, Bai Toey Hom in Thai, and Chan Xiang Lan in Mandarin, Pandan leaves are the only Pandanus species with fragrant leaves and are commonly used to flavor meat, rice, curries, and various desserts.

Nutritional Value

Pandan leaves are rich in essential oils, glycosides, and alkaloids, and also contain traces of tannin and isoprene esters. They are traditionally used to reduce symptoms of pain and fevers and are used as a laxative.

Applications

Pandan leaves are best suited for cooked applications such as boiling, steaming, sautéing, and frying. They are used in both sweet and savory dishes and are boiled, pounded, bruised, or raked to bring out the flavor. Pandan leaves are often used to wrap meats or sticky rice and are cooked to add a sweet and nutty flavor. They are also wrapped and deep fried to create a crunchy exterior. In addition to savory preparations, Pandan leaves are also used to make desserts and drinks. They can be made into a paste with the juice extracted to make the well-known chiffon cake, and they can be cooked to make Kaya, or pandan-flavored coconut egg jam, which is a traditional Pandan dish still found today in Malaysia and Singapore. Pandan leaves can also be cooked with coconut to make nasi lemak rice or are tied into knots and used for flavoring. Pandan leaves pair well with turmeric, lemongrass, brown sugar, milk, meats such as fish, chicken, beef, and pork, and rice. They will keep for a couple of days when stored unwashed, wrapped in a damp paper towel and sealed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Pandan leaves can also be frozen for up to two months.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Pandan leaves are widely used in Indonesia and Malaysia as an insect repellent to keep away pests like cockroaches and ants. They are also used as air fresheners in homes and are cut thinly and mixed with other scents to make a potpourri that is traditionally given during weddings. Pandan leaves are also used in religious celebrations in India as they are said to be holy to the gods Shiva and Ganesh. In some Indian villages, the leaves are tossed into open wells to create a sweet smell and flavor in the drinking water.

Geography/History

The origins of Pandan leaves is relatively unknown, but it is believed to be native to Southeast Asia and is still widely cultivated there. Today Pandan leaves can be found fresh and frozen at specialty grocers in South India, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and West New Guinea.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Campfire Bar	Carlsbad CA	858-231-0862
The Islander	Coronado CA	619-522-6890
Monarch (Bar)	Del Mar CA	619-308-6500
Nolita Hall	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
Mak Mak Organics	Oceanside CA	858-740-4217
Kettner Exchange Bar	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
Bahia Resort Hotel	San Diego CA	858-488-0551
Animae	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Nolita Hall - Bar	San Diego CA	619-618-8820
Seneca Bar	San Diego CA	619-588-2411
Fishery - Bar	San Diego CA	858-272-9985
Bali Hai Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-222-1181
False Idol	San Diego CA	619-269-2202
Under Belly-Uptown (Bar)	San Diego CA	619-269-4626
Clara Carlsbad	Carlsbad CA	760-470-9143
Uncle Italian ( Bar)	San Diego CA	619-629-0676
Raised By Wolves	San Diego CA	916-207-1076
Alila Marea Beach Resort (Pastry)	Encinitas CA	805-539-9719
Under Belly-Little Italy Bar	San Diego CA	619-269-4626
Jeune Et Jolie Bar	Carlsbad CA	8582310862

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Pandan Leaves. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Viet World Kitchen		Pandan Chiffon Cake
Spicie Foodie		Pandan Coconut Rice
Jun Blog		Buko Pandan Salad
Daily Cooking Quest		Bean Curd, Ginkgo Nuts, and Barley Sweet Soup
No Recipes		Pandan Wrapped Roast Pork
Ang Sarap		Pandan Chicken
Glutto Digest		Pandan Cake
Viet World Kitchen		Pandan and Coconut Tapioca Cake (Banh Bo Nuong)
Christine's Recipes		Pandan Panna Cotta with Mango and Passionfruit
Jeannietay's Blog		Pandan Butter Chiffon

the other 8...

The Ravenous Couple		Vietnamese Coffee, Coconut, and Pandan Jelly (Thach Rau Cau)
Use Real Butter		Pandan Ice Cream
Christine's Recipes		Pandan Dumplings (Tangyuan)
Spicie Foodie		Lemongrass and Pandan Lemonade
Dessert First		Pandan Cheesecake Pops
The Ravenous Couple		Pandan Waffles Banh Kep La Dua
Jun Blog		Coconut Pandan Cake
Burnt Lumpia		A Pair of Pandan Cocktails

Recently Shared

People have shared Pandan Leaves using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.

SS 2 wet market Near Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
About 52 days ago, 2/08/23

TTDI wet market, Kuala Lumpur Near Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
About 79 days ago, 1/12/23

Pasar Chow Kit Near Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
About 105 days ago, 12/17/22
Sharer's comments : Pandan leaves at Chow Kit