How To Make Pandan Leaf Tea
Pandan or pandanus is a tropical plant with green leaves and yellow-orange fruits. The pandan leaf has a strong fragrance and a unique taste, which makes pandan tea very popular. It is often sold as a souvenir in Asian countries, especially in the tropics where pandans grow abundantly. It’s common to find it as an ice cream flavor, juices, cakes, cookies, and pandan-flavored tea. To brew your own pandan leaf tea at home is easy. Here are some simple steps to help you get started.
Pandan Leaf Tea – The Health Benefits
The health benefits of pandan leaf tea are all-round. It can be used to treat common cold and cough, skin diseases and allergies, diabetes, and even obesity. The tea is said to increase metabolism, flush out toxins, and promote weight loss. It is also rich in Vitamin C and potassium that are essential for good health. These are a few ways you can use pandan leaf tea to stay healthy:
Treats allergies and skin diseases – Mix a few pandan leaves with 1 cup water and boil until it reduces to half the quantity. Strain and cool the liquid before drinking it.
Treats diabetes – Boil 1 or 2 pandan leaves in 1 cup water. Let it cool and drink it 2 times a day.
Flushes out toxins from the body – Drink 1 cup of pandan leaf tea 2 times a day.
Promotes weight loss – Drink 1 cup of pandan leaf tea 2 times a day.
How To Make Pandan Leaf Tea
The first step to making pandan leaf tea is to find the pandan leaves. They are mostly found in Asian grocery stores and can also be purchased online. Try and select leaves that look fresh and smell nice. You can wash the leaves and use them as they are. Or, you can tear them into smaller pieces using your hands. Place the leaves in a tea bag or a container with a lid. Add water to it and let it steep for about 10 minutes. The perfect pandan leaf tea is one that is strong and aromatic. You can cover the container with a lid and shake it occasionally to increase the flavour.
Tips For Brewing The Perfect Pandan Leaf Tea
- You can use fresh pandan leaves or dried pandan leaves to brew pandan leaf tea. However, the taste of fresh leaves is better than dried leaves.
- If you are using dried pandan leaves, use 3 times more leaves than fresh ones. – Make sure the leaves are clean and free of any pests.
- If you want to make a large batch of pandan tea, you can use a large container.
- Steeping time depends on the quality of leaves. If they are fresh, you can steep the leaves for 4 to 5 minutes.
- If you are using dried leaves, steep them for 10 to 12 minutes.
- If the tea tastes bitter, add more water and steep it for a little longer.
- If the tea is not flavorful enough, steep it for a shorter time.
- Use a filter while brewing pandan leaves to avoid getting the leaves in your tea.
Alternatives to Pandan Leaf Tea
If you don’t have pandan leaves, don’t worry! There are many other ways of flavouring your tea. You can mix a few jasmine or lavender flowers in your tea. You can also add some cardamom pods or cinnamon sticks to your tea. You can even add some vanilla pods to your tea bags to create a delicious flavour. Other than flavour, these ingredients will also add a few health benefits to your cup of tea. So, try out these alternatives to pandan leaf tea and enjoy the flavours of the tropics in your own home.
Conclusion
Pandan leaves have a distinct fragrance and a unique taste. They are often used to flavour desserts and even cocktails. If you are a fan of Asian food, you would have probably tried pandan flavoured desserts. Pandan tea is a simple and easy way to enjoy the flavours of the tropics in your own home. It is the perfect way to relax and unwind after a long day at work. Pandan tea is also a great way to unwind after a stressful day. It also helps improve blood circulation and aids digestion.
