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    Home » Recipe FAQs

    Frequently Asked Questions About Buko Pandan Salad

    Published: Mar 16, 2022 · Modified: Mar 26, 2022 by Nora Rey · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    You might have already heard of buko pandan salad considering that this Filipino fruit salad is one of the most favored desserts in the country. It combines the best of flavors: buko (young coconut) and pandan.

    What is buko, anyway? What does pandan taste like? Do you know how tapioca and sago are different? Let's take a look at some of the frequently asked questions.

    buko pandan served in a cup.
    What is buko pandan made of?

    It is a fruit salad made with young coconut and pandan-flavored agar-agar. It may also contain nata de coco, sago, and kaong, a chewy fruit from sugar palm trees.

    The sauce is made with cream and condensed milk. I like using cream cheese to make a thick and creamy sauce.

    What is pandan in English?

    According to Wikipedia, what we know as pandan is also called screwpine or pandanus amaryllifolius.

    What does pandan taste like?

    Pandan doesn't have a specific taste. Most people use it for its grassy, nutty flavor and green color.

    It is overpowering in a good way. You have to bruise the skin and cook them to extract their wonderful aroma.

    Where can I find pandan?

    Pandan is a tropical plant found in South East Asia. It grows everywhere in the Philippines. In the US, you can sometimes buy fresh pandan leaves in Asian grocery stores.

    You're likely to find frozen pandan leaves and pandan extracts or essences in cans or small bottles.

    What flavors pair well with pandan?

    The combination of pandan and coconut is the best for both sweet and savory preparations. It's also good with mango, lychee, banana, lemongrass, and dairy. It's amazing even with just cooked rice.

    Do pandan plants smell?

    The plant itself isn't fragrant. To obtain their unique flavor and light green hue, you must bruise or crush the leaves and cook them.

    What is buko?

    Buko or young coconut is a fruit that belongs to the palm family of Arecaceae. It has a green outer husk that contains sweet clear liquid and jelly flesh encased in a hard brown shell. It is harvested before it is fully mature.

    Are buko and coconut the same?

    Buko is sweet and tender from coconuts harvested before they mature. It is also called "young coconut."

    What kind of mixture is buko juice?

    Buko juice is the coconut water that we all know. It's the clear liquid that comes from inside a coconut.

    Does nata de coco have gelatin?

    No, it doesn't have gelatin. Nata de coco or coconut gel is mainly coconut water, fermented with some bacteria, and washed off with acetic acid.

    Are tapioca pearls the same as sago?

    Tapioca is made from cassava plants, while sago is made from tropical palm trees. They are both chewy and cooked in a similar way.

    How can I keep the cooked sago pearls from sticking together?

    Soak them in cold water. Or better yet, keep them in simple syrup until ready to use. Simple syrup is made by boiling equal parts of water and sugar.

    If they are already clumped together, rinse them under hot tap water. Use a fork to separate them.

    What is agar-agar powder?

    Agar-agar is vegetarian or plant-based gelatin made from red algae or seaweed. It acts as a thickener and stabilizer. They are also available in flakes, bars, and strands.

    Why won't my agar-agar solidify?

    Agar-agar shouldn't take long to set. If it doesn't solidify, you must have added too much water or not enough agar-agar.

    To fix this, you can remelt it in a saucepan and add more water or agar-agar as necessary.

    How do you know if buko salad is bad?

    Smell it — is it off or funky? Inspect it — is it slimy or foamy? Do you see any molds? Has the color changed?

    These are the things to consider. As much as we hate to waste food, sometimes we just have to let go to save ourselves.

    How long does buko salad last?

    Buko pandan should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within three days to maintain its flavor and texture.

    Can I freeze buko pandan?

    I wouldn’t recommend freezing buko pandan salad. When thawed, it gets watery and the sago loses its chewy texture. If you must freeze to extend the shelf life, make sure to mix it well after thawing.

    I hope this article was helpful and inspired you to make this dessert! If you love coconut and pandan, you will love buko pandan salad. Plus, it's perfect for summer potlucks or gatherings.

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