Pandan: The Southeast Asian Flavour European Chefs and Hotels Are Discovering
Ask a Malaysian what home smells like, and there is a good chance the answer is pandan. The long, glossy green leaf perfumes coconut rice in the morning, flavours the kaya spread on breakfast toast, and gives the region’s famous chiffon cakes their soft green colour. For generations it has been the quiet backbone of Southeast Asian cooking.
Now pandan is travelling. Pastry kitchens in Paris, cocktail bars in London and hotel tea lounges across Europe are beginning to treat it the way they once treated matcha or yuzu — as a flavour worth building a menu around. At Rhymba Hills, a Malaysian botanical infusion brand, pandan is one of our hero ingredients, and we are bringing it to European cups in its simplest, most expressive form: pandan tea.
What Is Pandan?
Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius) is a tropical plant grown throughout Malaysia and Southeast Asia, often in home gardens and village plots. Its leaves are used fresh, bruised, knotted into rice pots or blended into a fragrant green juice.
Its flavour is hard to compare to anything European, which is part of its appeal. Most people describe it as:
- Sweet and grassy, with a soft, green freshness
- Vanilla-like and nutty, without being sugary
- Warm and slightly toasted, reminiscent of fresh bread or steamed rice
That last note is no coincidence. Pandan’s signature aroma comes largely from a compound called 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline — the same molecule that gives jasmine and basmati rice, and even the crust of freshly baked bread, their comforting scent. It is one reason European palates find pandan instantly appealing: it feels exotic and familiar at the same time.
Why European Chefs Are Paying Attention
A natural fit for French pastry
French pâtisserie has always been built on vanilla, butter, cream and nut. Pandan sits beautifully alongside all four. Pastry chefs are experimenting with pandan crème pâtissière, pandan and coconut entremets, pandan-infused crème anglaise and pandan madeleines — familiar techniques given a Southeast Asian accent.
The search for “the next matcha”
Matcha showed that a green, plant-based flavour from Asia could become a European café staple. Chefs and beverage directors are now looking for the next ingredient with a story, a colour and a distinctive taste. Pandan ticks every box, and it remains new enough in Europe to feel like a discovery for guests.
Plant-forward and low-alcohol menus
Pandan pairs naturally with coconut, oat and almond milks, which makes it a strong candidate for plant-based desserts and drinks. It also works well in zero-proof cocktails and syrups, where its vanilla-like sweetness adds depth without extra sugar.
Authenticity and origin
European diners increasingly want to know where ingredients come from. Pandan arrives with a rich cultural story — Malaysian breakfasts, festive cakes, family kitchens — that chefs and hotels can share with guests.
Why Hotels Are Adding Pandan Tea to Their Menus
For luxury and boutique hotels, the tea menu is a small but telling part of the guest experience. A well-chosen selection signals curation, hospitality and a sense of place. Pandan tea offers several advantages:
- Caffeine-free and suitable all day. Pandan tea can be served from breakfast through to evening turndown, appealing to guests who are cutting back on caffeine or adjusting to a new time zone.
- A memorable welcome. Served warm in the lounge or iced on a terrace, its aroma creates an immediate talking point.
- Inclusive by design. Rhymba Hills infusions are JAKIM Halal certified, helping hotels welcome guests from around the world with confidence — particularly important for properties hosting international travellers from Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
- Afternoon tea with a difference. Pandan tea alongside kaya-inspired pastries or coconut financiers gives a classic Parisian afternoon tea a fresh, global twist.
How to Serve Pandan Tea
Pandan tea is easy to brew and versatile behind the bar or in the kitchen.
Hot: Steep one Rhymba Hills pandan infusion in 200–250 ml of freshly boiled water for 4–6 minutes. Enjoy it plain to appreciate its soft, toasty sweetness, or add a splash of coconut or oat milk for a creamier cup.
Iced: Brew double-strength, pour over ice and finish with a twist of lime or a little honey.
In the kitchen and bar:
- Infuse cream or milk with pandan tea for custards, panna cotta or ice cream
- Reduce brewed pandan tea with sugar into a syrup for cocktails, mocktails or poached fruit
- Pair with Rhymba Hills lemongrass or Bentong ginger infusions for a layered tasting flight
Pandan Pairs Well With…
| Category | Pairing ideas |
|---|---|
| Pastry | Madeleines, financiers, coconut tart, crème brûlée |
| Fruit | Mango, pineapple, banana, lime |
| Dairy & alternatives | Coconut milk, oat milk, fresh cream, mascarpone |
| Spice & botanicals | Lemongrass, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon |
| Savoury | Grilled fish, coconut rice, light curries |
From Malaysian Gardens to European Cups
Rhymba Hills was founded to share Malaysia’s botanical heritage with the world. Alongside pandan, our range features Bentong ginger, lemongrass, Misai Kucing, roselle, Ceylon cinnamon and turmeric — ingredients rooted in Malaysian tradition and grown by farmers who know them best.
Our infusions have earned award recognition in Paris and the UK, and as a partner of Visit Malaysia 2026, we are proud to carry the flavours of Malaysia to new audiences. As a Malaysian botanical brand with a global outlook, we believe pandan deserves a place on Europe’s finest menus — not as a passing trend, but as a lasting flavour with a story worth telling.
Bring Pandan to Your Menu
Whether you run a Paris hotel, a pâtisserie, a café or a specialty tea shop, Rhymba Hills pandan tea offers an easy way to introduce your guests to one of Southeast Asia’s most loved flavours.
Interested in stocking Rhymba Hills or adding pandan tea to your hotel menu? Contact our team to request samples or discuss trade and hospitality partnerships. We will be in Paris this October and would be delighted to meet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does pandan tea taste like? Pandan tea is sweet, grassy and gently nutty, with notes often compared to vanilla, fresh bread and steamed jasmine rice.
Does pandan tea contain caffeine? No. Rhymba Hills pandan tea is a naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion.
Is pandan the same as vanilla? No. Pandan is a tropical leaf, while vanilla comes from an orchid pod. They share a soft, sweet aroma, which is why pandan is sometimes called “the vanilla of Southeast Asia.”
Is Rhymba Hills pandan tea Halal? Yes. Rhymba Hills infusions are JAKIM Halal certified.
Can pandan tea be used in cooking? Yes. Brewed pandan tea can be used to infuse creams, custards, syrups and drinks, making it a convenient way to add pandan flavour in professional kitchens.