Step aside Avocado and Matcha. Our very own unassuming Pandan is going to take over many international Instagram food shots soon. According to TV chef Nigella Lawson, “I think it’s going to be the new matcha”… and what Nigella says, people follow.

Image via The Spruce

“I notice more and more people in America baking with pandan essence, which comes from that leaf.” Meanwhile, in the UK, some food joints are already selling pandan ice cream and pandan pancakes.

“They only JUST found out about pandan?!” you ask? Yeah, we know! For us, Malaysians, pandan (also known as “screw pine”—we didn’t realise it had an English name) is no stranger to our taste buds. It’s commonly used in many local desserts such as kuih and bubur kacang. We also throw them into pots of rice, and wrap food with them.

Image via The Kitchen Addict

So, the next time you see your favourite Hollywood celeb Insta-ing photos of their hipster pandan desserts—which would be very soon, you can tell them that you’ve already caught on to the trend many years ago! And oh, if you have pandan shrubs sitting in your garden, you could very well be making money off it soon!

What other Malaysian ingredient do you think should go viral next?