How to Make Your Own Pandan Essence / Extract

Pandan leaves (Pandanus amaryllifolius), also known as screwpine leaves is commonly used in Asia for flavouring and as natural colouring. Since we had plentiful pandan leaves growing in our garden, I decided to make my own pandan essence / extract which I planned to use for my snowskin mooncakes.

Choose leaves that dark green in colour. Simply cut them into small pieces, then place in blender with water and blitz. Then, strain and store in fridge for at least 2 days, or until it has separated into two layers. The bottom, darker layer is the prized pandan extract that you want.

Homemade Pandan Essence/Extract
Recipe by Baby Sumo, adapted from Sonia
Preparation time: 5-10 minutes

Makes 40ml

Ingredients
15-20 mature pandan leaves
150ml water


1. Wash the pandan leaves thoroughly. Using scissors, cut the pandan leaves into small pieces and place in the blender with water. (Note: Just put enough water to work the blades)

2. Blend until fine, about 2-3 minutes.

3. Pour blitzed pandan through a fine strainer into a clean jar. Squeeze the juice out of the leaves.

4. Place in the fridge, after 2 days, you will see that it has separated into two layers (darker layer at bottom is the pandan essence/extract). Pour over the top layer of water (lighter green) as this is bitter. You may keep up to two weeks in the fridge or until it goes bad.

Bottle at front is after 2 days in the fridge, bottle at back is freshly made.

*I am submitting this to the Little Thumbs Up "Pandan" event organized by Bake for Happy Kids, my little favourite DIY and hosted by Joceline of Butter, Flour & Me. You can link your pandan recipes here.


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