Pandan opens a new formulation brief for bakery and frozen desserts
Cosmo Food EU EditorialPandan formats in product development
FoodNavigator reports that pandan is attracting attention across products including drinks, cakes and ice cream. Its coverage describes the ingredient’s aroma and green colour, and notes that it can be used as a powder, in liquid form or as whole leaves. The article cites Mintel research showing that recent product-launch activity remains concentrated in Asia.
Buyer checks before choosing a supplier
Cosmo’s buyer interpretation: treat the format as part of the specification. A leaf, a powder and a liquid ingredient can create different purchasing and production questions. Ask for the complete composition, recommended use level, storage requirements and batch specifications. Where a preparation contains other ingredients, make sure those are included in the technical and labelling review.
For bakery and frozen-dessert development, compare samples in the intended recipe and process. Agree sensory targets for aroma and flavour, then review colour and texture through the relevant heating, cooling or freezing steps and the proposed shelf life. These are trial requirements for the development team, rather than performance guarantees established by the trend report.
Commercial planning should follow those trials. Confirm available formats, order quantities, lead times and the consistency evidence the supplier can provide. Check the final ingredient declaration and any proposed colour or flavour wording for the destination market. A limited launch can provide useful feedback before a buyer commits to a larger assortment or export programme.
For a new development project, plan your private-label food sourcing brief.
Source: FoodNavigator — A flavour to watch: The rise of pandan — 27 October 2026.