Buko Pandan is one of the popular dessert drinks in the Philippines. This drink is known for its sweet and refreshing taste that is derived from pandan leaves and young coconut. This article will discuss the traditional recipe of Buko Pandan using fresh pandan as the main ingredient. Let’s start making this refreshing drink!
Materials needed
Main Ingredients
- 5 fresh pandan leaves
- 1 young coconut, grated coconut meat
- 200 ml young coconut water
- 100 grams of granulated sugar
- 1 packet of agar-agar powder (green)
- 500 ml of water
- 200 ml thick coconut milk
Additional Materials
- Ice cubes as needed
- 100 gram nata de coco
- 100 ml sweetened condensed milk (optional)
Steps to Make Buko Pandan
1. Making Pandan Agar
- Prepare a pan, add 500 ml of water and agar-agar powder.
- Add pandan leaves that have been tied in a knot so they are easy to remove later.
- Boil until boiling while continuing to stir.
- Once boiling, add granulated sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Turn off the heat, remove the pandan leaves, and pour the gelatin into the mold. Let it harden.
- Once it hardens, cut the agar into small cubes.
2. Preparing Young Coconut Flesh
- Grate the young coconut flesh and set aside.
- Save the young coconut water for later use.
3. Making Coconut Milk Sauce
- Boil the thick coconut milk over low heat while stirring continuously so that the coconut milk does not curdle.
- Add granulated sugar to taste, stir until dissolved.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, turn off the heat and let the coconut milk cool.
4. Mix All Ingredients
- In a large bowl, mix the young coconut flesh, pandan jelly pieces, and nata de coco.
- Add young coconut water and cold coconut milk.
- Mix all ingredients until perfectly mixed.
5. Serving Buko Pandan
- Prepare a serving glass or bowl.
- Pour the Buko Pandan mixture into a glass.
- Add ice cubes to taste.
- If you like, add sweetened condensed milk for a creamier taste.
- Serve Buko Pandan cold to make it more delicious.
Additional Tips for a More Delicious Buko Pandan
Choose Fresh Young Coconut
Fresh young coconut will give a sweeter and fresher taste to Buko Pandan. Make sure the coconut used is still young and the flesh is soft.
Use Fresh Pandan Leaves
Fresh pandan leaves give a stronger distinctive aroma compared to instant pandan. Tie the pandan leaves when boiling so that they are easy to remove and do not dirty the agar-agar.
Add Toppings According to Taste
Besides nata de coco, you can add other toppings such as basil seeds, grass jelly, or fresh fruit for variations in taste and texture.
Buko Pandan is a dessert drink that is not only refreshing but also easy to make. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can make traditional Buko Pandan with fresh pandan at home. Enjoy this drink with your family or friends during hot weather or as a perfect end to a meal.
