FOOD TREND: SUPERFOOD OF 2018?

Posted on by Cameron Tewson

Words: Wendy Rowe

Ever since kale became an overnight superstar, there’s always been a new superfood or healthy ingredient on the block. And 2018 looks set to be the year of pandan, but what’s all the hype about. Allow me to tell you more…

As you know, I’m not one for superfood fads. The new ‘superfood of the moment’ holds little interest for me, because either something’s good for you all the time, or it’s not. But I do like to keep an eye on food trends in case there’s a healthy, seasonal ingredient that’s becoming more readily available that I can work into my recipes. Well, 2018’s cult ingredient looks set to be pandan, a green leaf that’s native to Southeast Asia. But what’s all the fuss about?

2018’S KEY INGREDIENT: PANDAN

Pandan is a long green leaf, native to Southeast Asia that is often used in Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese cooking. I love Southeast Asian food, so if there’s any excuse to try out a new recipe you can sign me up! It was Nigella Lawson who recently tipped pandan to be next year’s hottest ingredient, describing it as the ‘new matcha’. While the pandan leaf isn’t exactly steeped in health benefits, it does apparently help fight sunburn and reduce stress.

PANDAN: HOW TO USE IT

Rather than being blended up into health smoothies and soups, the sweet vanilla flavour of pandan means that as well as being used in Thai and Vientnamese dishes it is also a good vanilla or sweetener alternative in pancakes, cakes or custard. In fact, a good way to give this new ingredient a go at home yourself is to make a custard using pandan leaves and coconut milk.

The verdict? While you’ll be hearing a lot about pandan next year, you can’t actually find the leaves in any UK supermarkets yet, so you might be better off sticking to your current favourites (matcha, avocado, kale…and all of last year’s crazes) if you want to avoid costly online orders.

Powered by Wendy Rowe

Spread the love

About Cameron Tewson

Cameron, the visionary force behind frontrowedit.co.uk, established his highly acclaimed blog a decade ago, catapulting him to the forefront of the social media landscape. With a keen focus on global relationships and exclusive interviews with editors, designers, celebrities, and tastemakers, Cameron seamlessly navigated his way to becoming a sought-after freelance consultant. His expertise even caught the attention of the prestigious Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States. In 2019, Cameron earned recognition as one of the influential figures under 30 in the Watches & Jewellery industry. Back in 2014, CNN International ranked his blog as the 7th top-read in its category, solidifying his position as a captivating and authoritative voice in the digital space. Explore the world of fashion, lifestyle, and industry insights with Cameron on frontrowedit.co.uk. View all posts by Cameron Tewson →

Related Posts