Food & Receipts

Why is nem chua wrapped in so many banana leaves? Why is giò chả rolled with banana leaves and not other leaves?

Do you know why people use banana leaves to wrap food and why nem chua is specifically wrapped in multiple banana leaves?

Administrator

8 December, 2023

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If you know the benefits of banana leaves, you will find them really valuable in food processing, and you will apply them immediately to your family.

In the folk, most of the dishes that need to be wrapped in leaves are usually wrapped in banana leaves. Nem chua is a typical dish wrapped in multiple live banana leaves that no other leaves can replace. Many types of cakes can be switched to using dong leaves instead. Giò chả also uses banana leaves that cannot be replaced by any other leaves. Some cakes can be switched to dong leaves, but the flavor will be different and not as tasty as for example, banh bot loc, banh gai, banh nam …

Why do nem chua have to wrap in multiple layers of banana leaves?

First, banana leaves are a popular type of leaves that naturally grow year-round. Banana leaves have a close relationship with Vietnam. Wrapping multiple layers of banana leaves is to keep the shape of nem. Nem chua can be square or round. When transporting long distances, if there is no “mold” to shape the outer shape, the nem will easily be crushed. Have you ever opened nem chua and found the inside filled with a cylindrical or perfectly square shape without any unevenness? That’s thanks to wrapping multiple layers of thick banana leaves to shape the outer part.

Banana leaves help stabilize the temperature for fermenting nem: Multiple layers of banana leaves help to keep the inner nem at a stable temperature. Banana leaves are thick and cool, resistant to heat. If not wrapped properly, nem is easily spoiled. Wrapping multiple leaves ensures the temperature for nem and helps nem dry out

Banana leaves resist insects and bacteria: Nem is made from raw meat, so if it is not properly preserved, it will spoil and be invaded by bacteria. Wrapping multiple layers of banana leaves serves the purpose of preserving nem. Moreover, banana leaves have a natural antibacterial property that is better than other types of leaves. So when wrapping with banana leaves, the food inside will not spoil as quickly as with other leaves.

Banana leaves stay fresh longer: Compared to other types of leaves, banana leaves stay fresh longer. So when wrapping with banana leaves, nem will be more delicious.

Banana leaves have natural antibacterial properties: The wax layer on the surface of banana leaves has a natural antibacterial property that few other leaves have. So using multiple layers of banana leaves to wrap nem will help preserve nem in the most natural way. The more layers wrapped, the better nem is protected.

Banana leaves retain the flavor of nem: Banana leaves do not have a strange odor that contradicts the aroma of nem. Moreover, when wrapping with multiple layers of banana leaves, nem is wrapped inside without the smell escaping. Therefore, when you open it, you will smell the fragrance of peppercorns, garlic, and the smell of meat.

If wrapped with few leaves, nem will spoil easily, not fragrant, and quickly deteriorate during transportation, so it is difficult to take nem far away, and the quality of nem will be poor.

Why do cakes, giò, and chả also use banana leaves?

Banana leaves have the characteristic of not having a strange smell for food but are relatively compatible with those foods. So when wrapped with banana leaves and steamed, there is no need to worry about affecting the smell of the food.

Banana leaves are larger than other types of leaves, and when wilted or boiled, they are very easy to wrap.

Banana leaves also contain many antioxidants that, when in contact with food, help protect the food and also help the food absorb a part of this substance, which is very good for health.

Banana leaves are harmless and do not have any toxicity, so wrapping food with banana leaves is safe for consumers.

Fresh banana leaves have antibacterial properties due to the wax layer on the surface. Therefore, pathogens are difficult to penetrate inside, so food is protected from bacteria that can spoil it.

When using fresh banana leaves to wrap food, it helps to keep the food inside fresh longer due to better resistance to bacterial invasion. When using it to wrap hot food or when wrapping and then cooking, the banana leaves help the food smell better and cook faster. The antioxidant compounds in banana leaves are very good for health, so wrapping food with banana leaves is extremely reasonable.

How to use banana leaves in cooking at home?

If you have fresh banana leaves, take advantage of them to preserve vegetables, fruits, and food. To keep vegetables and fruits fresh for a long time, wrap them in banana leaves. Banana leaves keep the moisture of vegetables and fruits especially the wax layer on the outside of the banana leaves helps to resist bacteria very well. Note that you should cut the banana leaves and wrap them without rinsing. Rinsing will remove the wax layer.

If you need to take cooked food far away, wrap it in banana leaves. At this time, the banana leaves should be washed clean and dried before wrapping.

When storing food in the refrigerator or putting vegetables and fruits in the refrigerator, wrap an additional layer of banana leaves, they will prevent the food from being disturbed by the cold, keeping the food fresher and more delicious.

When vacuuming, wrap the banana leaves around before putting them into the vacuum bag to ensure the freshness of the food.

When wrapping cakes, use banana leaves instead of other types of leaves.

When frying food, you can drop banana leaves into the pan to prevent sticking and spattering of oil, while also helping the food absorb more antioxidants from the banana leaves.

When cooking rice or lining steamer, use banana leaves instead of cloth towels, it will make the food smell more delicious.