{"id":4443,"date":"2023-08-29T07:31:11","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T11:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/millenora.com\/?p=4443"},"modified":"2023-08-29T07:31:12","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T11:31:12","slug":"pandan-leaves-substitutes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/millenora.com\/pandan-leaves-substitutes\/","title":{"rendered":"Pandan Leaves Substitutes: 10 Unique Alternatives For Different Recipes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pandan leaves substitutes are essential for those who enjoy a distinct spice in their meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a popular herb and spice in Thailand, Malaysia, and Southeast Asia. Recently, it has also become a popular choice in North America due to the distinct aroma and flavor it adds to food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this cooking spice is not always easy to come by. That is why you should be aware of other good pandan leaves substitutes you can use in a recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, this article covers everything you need to know about pandan, including its uses and alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is pandan?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"pandan<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Pandan is a plant valued primarily for its tall, blade-like leaves. It’s used in a variety of Sri Lankan, Thai, and other South Asian cuisines. Pandan is available locally and in specialty markets all over the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the variety, its leaves range in size from 12 to 20 inches (30 to 51 cm) and are either frozen or fresh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are more than 600 species, but not all of their leaves are edible; it varies based on the subtype. They can be steamed into rice dishes for flavor or used in extracts or infusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pandan leaves substitutes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may have some of these alternatives in your kitchen or pantry. If you don’t, they are really available in your local stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Kewra essence<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"kewra<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Kewra may sound exotic, but you can find it at any Indian market in your area. This is an extract with a water or oil base regularly used in desserts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same pandanus plant that produces pandan leaves also yields this essence. Kewra, however, comes from the blossom rather than the leaf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The water-based extract is typically milder, whereas the oil-based extract is more concentrated. Both are frequently mixed with green food coloring to give your food a similar tint. This makes it a good substitute for pandan leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Pandan essence<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"pandan<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Another simple way to substitute pandan leaves in your cooking is using pandan essence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pandan essence is what you need if you want to achieve a scent that is identical to that of pandan leaves. This product’s flavor combines coconut and walnuts and is simple to adapt to your cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Vanilla bean<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"vanilla<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Vanilla bean extract, paste, and pods may impart flavors like the sweet and floral notes found in pandan leaves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Banana leaves<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"banana<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Banana leaves are not meant to be used in place of pandan leaves as a spice. If you love to wrap food in pandan but don’t have any, banana leaves will work just as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many traditional foods in Southeast Asia, banana and pandan leaves are used to wrap food. They are also visually appealing and add flavor to the dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Banana and pandan leaves help to keep food temperatures stable – whether hot or cold – and preserve it from contamination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Collard greens<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"collard<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

You can substitute pandan leaves with collard greens. To do this, ensure you remove the tough stems from these cabbage-related greens before using them in your recipes. It also has leaves that can mimic pandan leaves and will enhance food flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Green tea<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"green<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Even though it seems unlikely that green tea will be a good substitute for pandan leaves, you should know that pandan is often sold as a tea after being dried because of its hints of tea flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, you can use jasmine or green tea in place of pandan. One has floral undertones, while the other has a more earthy taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Ginger<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"ginger<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Ginger can also be used in place of pandan leaves. The sweet and peppery flavors of fresh ginger can simply substitute for the leaves in about all recipes. Use young, fresh ginger to ensure a very similar taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Matcha tea<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"matcha<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The best healthy alternative to pandan leaves is matcha. It is a highly concentrated green tea made from finely ground, specially grown green tea leaves in East Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matcha tea can give your food a green color like pandan leaves, but it also adds caffeine. This means it’ll taste bitter, so you must be careful with how much you add.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Cilantro<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"cilantro<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Cilantro is a member of the parsley family and can be used to replace pandan leaves. It is an annual plant native to southern Europe and some parts of Asia. Cilantro is a common ingredient in Thai and Mexican cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cilantro leaves are shiny and flat and are commonly used in salads, salsas, and soups, which is why you can use them in any recipe that requires pandan leaves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Celery leaves<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"celery<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Another alternative to pandan leaves is this native Mediterranean herb called celery. Celery leaves can be substituted for pandan leaves in different recipes because of their distinct flavor. They are also a similar shade of dark green to pandan leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, you can use them in any recipe that requires pandan leaves, such as making soups, risotto, or salads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health benefits of pandan leaves<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although there isn’t much scientific evidence to support the health benefits of pandan, non-Western traditional medicine<\/a> has long used its leaves, fruit, flowers, roots, and oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of its wonderful benefits are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n