Nigella Lawson, one of the most influential foodies on planet Earth, has boldly declared that the humble pandan leaf is the new matcha. Or the new avocado, kale, or quinoa, for that matter.
The staple ingredient in many Southeast Asian dishes — including, of course, Singapore’s current obsession nasi lemak — has been thrust into the global limelight with Lawson leading the charge to have pandan take over our Instagram feeds.
“I think it’s going to be the new matcha,” Lawson said to The Times recently.
“I may be wrong, but we seem to be interested in that… But I notice more and more people in America baking with pandan essence. Which comes from that leaf.”
While us Asians have been using the common leaf for centuries, UK media expects sales and prices for pandan to shoot skywards — just like the time when Lawson declared herself a fan of avocado on toast. You know, the reason why millennials can’t afford homes.
For those wondering what other “health benefits” the leaf has to offer (a MUST for any food trend trying to make it in 2017), The Guardian claims that the leaves can heal sunburn, repel insects, reduce stress, blacken hair, and treat premature ejaculation. Ahem.
If the trend forecast does come true and pandan indeed becomes the next global obsession, us folks can at least say that our ancestors liked it before it was cool. After all, our best national cake is the good old pandan cake, no?
With text by Coconuts KL
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