1 Bánh chưng – bánh tét that can be preserved for a long time
One of the traditional dishes during Tet holiday is bánh chưng and bánh tét. But do you know how to preserve the cakes for a long period of time?
Normally, if you keep the cakes in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight, they can be preserved for 2-3 days. It’s especially recommended to hang the cakes to promote air circulation and maintain a cool temperature.
If you’re concerned about insects, you can store the cakes in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life for 10-15 days. When you want to eat them, simply steam them until they’re soft and fresh again.
2 Proper way to preserve bánh chưng, bánh tét
Preservation under normal conditions
To preserve bánh chưng and bánh tét outside of the refrigerator, make sure to keep them in a bright, airy place, away from direct sunlight. They can be preserved for around 7-10 days. It’s best to hang the cakes to prevent any insect infestation.
If you’ve made the cakes yourself, after boiling them, rinse them with clean water to remove any residue, such as leaves or plastic materials. Then, place a wooden board on top of them to press out any excess water. This will prevent the cakes from becoming damp and help maintain their softness.
Preservation in the refrigerator
To preserve the cakes for a longer period of time, store them in the refrigerator. When preserving them, remember to regularly check for any signs of mold.
When you want to eat the cakes, you can steam or fry them. However, if you choose to fry them, it’s recommended to fry them only once or twice, as the cakes can absorb a large amount of oil, which is not good for your health.
If you want to preserve the cakes even longer, you can freeze them and use them within 20 days. When you need to use them, thaw them at room temperature and steam them to make them warm. It’s best to slice off a sufficient amount for consumption to avoid repeatedly thawing the entire cake, as this can affect its taste.
3 How to preserve delicious bánh tét throughout Tet
Preservation at room temperature
The room temperature typically ranges from 24-25 degrees Celsius, which is neither too hot nor too cold. Therefore, you can safely store bánh tét at room temperature without worrying about spoilage. However, it’s recommended to consume the cakes within 3 days.
Preservation in the freezer/icebox
However, if the outside temperature becomes hot and the room temperature rises, bánh chưng and bánh tét can easily spoil and become moldy.
In this case, it’s better to store the cakes in the freezer/icebox, adjusting the temperature to below 3 degrees Celsius, and using them within 20 days.
Preservation using vacuum sealing
If possible, you can purchase a vacuum sealer. When the cakes are vacuum-sealed, they can be preserved for a longer period without being affected by external temperature changes when stored either outside or inside the refrigerator. This can extend their shelf life to approximately 7-10 days.
Alternatively, if you store them in the refrigerator, they can be preserved for up to 20 days. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about the cakes absorbing any odor from other foods in the fridge.
4 Some tips for preserving bánh chưng and bánh tét for a long time, safely
Finally, here are some tips for preserving bánh chưng and bánh tét for a long time while ensuring their safety. These tips are shared by Điện máy XANH.
- If you make the cakes yourself, before wrapping them, make sure to rinse the leaves with hot water and let them drain to remove any dust or bacteria.
- Use clean string or a clean knife to cut the cakes. Using a utensil that has already been used can easily transfer other food particles to the cut surface of the cakes, which can lead to mold or spoilage.
- Regularly check the cakes for any signs of mold. If you notice any signs, you can briefly heat them over a flame and wrap them in food wrap to continue preservation.
- The cakes should be boiled and fried thoroughly. After frying, use a wooden board to press out any excess oil and water to keep the cakes dry and fresh for a longer period.
- If you notice any dry or hardened parts of the cakes (often called leftover rice), you can either re-boil or steam them to soften them again.