Lemongrass and Pandan Tea: Two Ingredients Worth Knowing

Updated: May 2026

Some combinations work because they make culinary sense. Lemongrass and pandan is one of them — two plants with deep roots in Southeast Asian cooking that pair together naturally because their flavour profiles complement rather than compete with each other. Understanding what each brings to a cup helps explain why this combination has been part of everyday drinking traditions across Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam for generations.

What lemongrass tastes like on its own

Lemongrass has a bright, clean citrus character that comes from citral — the naturally occurring compound that gives the grass its distinctive lemony aroma. As a tea, it is light and refreshing, with a slightly sweet finish that makes it easy to drink without additions. The aroma is one of its most immediately appealing qualities — vivid and sharp when the packet is opened, softer and more rounded in the cup.

It is naturally caffeine-free, which makes it suitable at any time of day. On its own, it can feel a little one-dimensional for some people — pleasantly citrusy but lacking weight. That is where pandan comes in.

What pandan adds

Pandan — Pandanus amaryllifolius — is a tropical plant used extensively across Southeast Asia, sometimes called the vanilla of Asia for the warm, slightly sweet, floral note its leaves contribute to food and drink. The flavour is difficult to describe precisely because it has no obvious Western equivalent — it is softer and greener than vanilla, with a subtle nuttiness and a natural sweetness that does not tip into cloying.

In cooking, pandan is used to flavour rice, cakes, desserts and syrups across the region. As a tea ingredient it contributes body and a gentle aromatic depth that rounds out the brighter, sharper character of lemongrass. The combination produces a cup that is more balanced and layered than either ingredient on its own.

The flavour of lemongrass and pandan together

The combination is delicate rather than bold. The lemongrass provides the primary citrus note — clean, bright and recognisably lemony — while the pandan softens the background and adds warmth. The overall effect is a cup that feels more complex than a single-ingredient infusion without being heavy or difficult to drink.

It works well plain, though a small amount of honey or a slice of ginger can add interest if you want something more substantial. Some people also enjoy it cold — brewed slightly stronger and served over ice, the lemongrass character comes through cleanly and the pandan adds a pleasant sweetness without needing any added sugar.

The tradition behind the combination

In Southeast Asia, lemongrass and pandan appear together regularly in everyday cooking and drinks. Thai cuisine uses both extensively — pandan leaves wrapped around chicken, lemongrass as a base for soups and curries, and both combined in everyday herbal drinks. Malaysian and Indonesian cooking shows the same pattern. This is not a fashionable combination invented for Western markets — it is a genuinely traditional pairing that has been part of the daily lives of many millions of people for centuries.

Understanding that context makes the combination feel less exotic and more grounded. It is a well-tested flavour pairing with a long culinary history, which is usually a reliable indicator that it works.

How it fits into an everyday tea routine

Lemongrass and pandan is a light, naturally caffeine-free option that fits comfortably at any point in the day. It is gentle enough for mornings when you want something fresh rather than strong, and characterful enough to feel like a proper drink in the afternoon or evening.

For people building a small rotation of herbal teas, it pairs naturally alongside something warmer — our organic ginger and lemongrass blend is a good companion on colder days when the plain lemongrass and pandan feels a touch light. For more on building that kind of rotation, our guide to everyday herbal teas worth knowing covers the broader picture.

Sourcing and format

Our lemongrass teas are Soil Association certified organic. We offer lemongrass in both tea bag and loose leaf formats — the tea bags use biodegradable filter mesh and plastic-free outer packaging, while the loose leaf gives more control over strength and brewing time.

For the full story on lemongrass as an ingredient — its origins, flavour character and place in Ayurvedic and Asian tradition — our post on lemongrass herbal tea origins and everyday use covers it in detail.