Cendol: Discover the Ultimate Pandan Jelly Delight

Key Highlights

• Cendol at a Glance: A refreshing iced dessert from Southeast Asia made with chewy green pandan jelly noodles, rich coconut milk, and sweet sugar syrup.
• Street Food Favorite: This delightful treat is a beloved staple in Southeast Asian countries.
• Modern Twist with Jubes: Our version includes chewy Jubes nata de coco cubes.
• Easy to Customize: Add toppings like red beans, sweet corn, or fruit for endless variations.
• Where to Buy Ingredients: Coconut milk and organic coconut sugar are available from Jans Enterprises Corp, a trusted Asian food distributor in the U.S.

Introduction

Have you ever tried a dessert that’s both a drink and a sweet treat? Cendol is a beloved Southeast Asian classic that blends comfort and refreshment in every glass. With its chewy green pandan jelly noodles, creamy coconut milk, and rich coconut sugar syrup, cendol delivers a layered experience of taste and texture.

Our version adds a playful twist with Jubes nata de coco jelly, chewy coconut gel cubes made from real coconut water. Mixed in with the pandan jelly, Jubes bring extra bite and fruity flavor, making this timeless dessert even more exciting.

What Is Cendol?

Cendol, also called es cendol in Indonesia, is an iced dessert enjoyed across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Its roots trace back to Java, Indonesia, where a similar dessert called dawet has been cherished for centuries.

Traditionally, cendol is built from three core ingredients: green rice flour jellies, creamy coconut milk, and sweet coconut sugar syrup. The name “cendol” may come from “jendol,” meaning “swollen” or “bulge” in local languages referring to the plump pandan jellies floating in the drink.

In our modern twist, we add Jubes Coconut Gel, chewy coconut gel cubes made from fermented coconut water. These fruity, bouncy coconut jelly cubes mix seamlessly with the pandan jelly, adding texture and flavor while honoring the dessert’s original spirit. The result is a cendol that feels both traditional and playfully updated.

Key Ingredients in Cendol

A classic cendol is simple but flavorful. Here are the essentials:

Ingredient	Purpose	Amount / Notes
Jans Organic Coconut Sugar	Syrup base	½ cup (combine with ½ cup water to make caramel-like coconut sugar syrup)
Water	Syrup base	½ cup, simmered with coconut sugar
Rice Flour (or mung bean flour)	Main jelly base	½ cup, forms the structure of pandan noodles
Tapioca Flour	Elasticity for jellies	2 tbsp, gives the noodles bounce
Water	Jelly base	2 cups for cooking the jelly mixture
Pandan Leaves or Extract	Aroma + color	2–3 leaves blended for juice, or 1 tsp extract
Salt	Balance	Pinch, enhances pandan flavor
Jans Coconut Milk	Creamy base	Chilled, poured over the ice for richness
Jubes Nata Jelly	Extra texture	Add generous spoonfuls (Jubes lychee or mango flavor optional)
Crushed Ice	Refreshment	Finely crushed, essential for serving

Essential Equipment for Making Pandan Jelly Cendol at Home

Here is some essential equipment you will likely need:

• A medium saucepan for cooking the jelly mixture and the coconut sugar syrup.
• A potato ricer or a colander with large holes to form the jelly noodles.
• A large bowl filled with ice water to catch the jellies as you press them.
• Tall glasses or bowls for serving your refreshing dessert.

Cendol Recipe, Step-by-Step

Here is a simple guide to assembling your cendol:

1. In a saucepan, combine ½ cup Jans Organic Coconut Sugar with ½ cup water.
2. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar dissolves into a smooth, caramel-colored syrup. Let it cool before using. This syrup will be the base of your cendol.
3. In a saucepan, whisk rice flour, tapioca flour, pandan juice/extract, salt, and water until smooth.
4. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a sticky, translucent dough.
5. While still hot, press the mixture through a potato ricer or colander directly into a bowl of ice water to form noodles. Let rest for 10 minutes, then drain.
6. Pour 2–3 tablespoons of your cooled coconut sugar syrup into the bottom of a tall glass.
7. Add a generous scoop of finely crushed ice to chill the dessert and give it a refreshing crunch.
8. Slowly pour in Jans Coconut Milk over the ice until it blends with the syrup below.
9. Add a scoop of pandan jelly noodles and a spoonful of Jubes jelly cubes.
10. Top the glass with finely crushed ice and pour in more syrup until it blends. Serve with a long spoon and enjoy!

Nutritional and Dietary Insights

Cendol is often naturally vegan since its core ingredients are all plant-based. This makes it a great option for those avoiding dairy, with richness coming entirely from coconut rather than milk or cream. Toppings like Jubes cubes also fit well within a vegan lifestyle.

From a health perspective, cendol is still a sweet treat. Coconut sugar adds calories, even if it’s less refined than white sugar, and coconut milk contributes saturated fat. The key is moderation: enjoy it as part of a balanced diet, or make lighter versions at home by reducing syrup or using light coconut milk.

Conclusion

Cendol is not just a delightful treat; it represents a blend of rich flavors and cultural significance. From the chewy texture of pandan and Jubes jelly to the sweet finish, each component brings its own unique charm to this beloved dessert. Embrace the process, share your creations with friends, and indulge in the vibrant experience that cendol offers. Don’t forget to share your cendol adventures on social media – it’s a dish that deserves to be celebrated!

Frequently Asked Questions

What does cendol taste like?

Cendol jellies tastes sweet, creamy, and refreshing. The green jellies made from pandan give it a fragrant, grassy note, while the coconut milk adds richness and the coconut sugar syrup provides deep caramel flavor.

What are Jubes?

Jubes are chewy coconut gel cubes made from fermented coconut water. These coconut cubes jelly come in a variety of Jubes flavors. Popular options include lychee coconut jelly, sweet lychee cubes, and fruity lychee jelly cubes, and Jubes mango.

What is coconut jelly?

Coconut jelly, or jelly nata de coco, is a firm, chewy dessert made by fermenting coconut water. It’s low in calories and high in dietary fiber.

Where to buy nata de coco?

If you’re wondering where to buy Jubes, you can easily find them at Asian grocery stores or through Amazon. For more ideas and nata de coco recipes, you can also visit www.jubesusa.com/blogs/recipes.

Who distributes Jubes in the U.S.?

Jubes is proudly distributed by Jans Enterprises Corp, a trusted Asian food importer and wholesale distributor in the United States. Visit www.jansfood.com for more.