Pandan
Also known as: pandanus, screwpine
Herbs
A tropical plant with long, blade-like leaves known for their sweet, floral aroma often compared to vanilla and coconut.
Botanical Name
Pandanus amaryllifolius
Origin
Southeast Asia
Flavor Profile
Sweet, floral, with vanilla-like and coconut-adjacent notes
Cultural Context
Ubiquitous in Southeast Asian cooking — used in rice, desserts, and drinks. Sometimes called the vanilla of the East.
Usage in Beverages
Extracted via pressurized distillation to capture delicate aromatic compounds.