5 ways to preserve delicious bánh chưng and bánh tét throughout Tet without worrying about spoilage

1 Banh Chung – Banh Tet: How Long Can They Last?

One of the dishes that carries the essence of the Tet holiday is Banh Chung and Banh Tet. So, do you know how long these cakes can last?

Typically, if you store the cakes in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight, they can last about 2 to 3 days. It is especially recommended to hang Banh Chung and Banh Tet to help maintain a drier temperature.

If you are worried about insects damaging the cakes, you can place them in the refrigerator to extend their storage time to about 10 to 15 days. When you want to eat them, just take them out and steam them until they are soft and chewy like new.

2 Proper Storage Methods for Banh Chung to Last Longer

Storing Banh Chung at Room Temperature

To store Banh Tet and Banh Chung outside, make sure to place them in a bright, dry, and ventilated area, avoiding direct sunlight, allowing them to last about 7 to 10 days. It is best to hang the cakes up high to prevent them from being eaten by insects.

Additionally, if you cook the cakes yourself, after cooking, rinse them briefly with clean water to remove the sap from the leaves, then dry the surface of the leaves and use a piece of wood to press out the moisture. This way, the cakes will not be damp or wet, maintaining their chewiness.

Storing Banh Chung in the Refrigerator

To keep the cakes for a longer time, you should store them in the refrigerator. When storing, remember to check regularly for any mold growth.

Each time you want to eat, you should microwave or steam the cakes to heat them up, or you can fry them. However, if frying, you should only do it 1 to 2 times, as the rice will absorb a large amount of oil when eaten, which is not good for health.

If you want to store them for a longer time, you should place the cakes in the freezer and use them within 20 days. When you need to use them, thaw them at room temperature and then steam them again until hot. You should only cut out a sufficient amount for use, avoiding repeated thawing which can diminish the cake’s quality.

3 How to preserve delicious banh tet throughout Tet

Preserving banh tet at room temperature

Room temperature, also known as indoor temperature, usually ranges from 24 – 25 degrees Celsius, neither too hot nor too cold. So you can safely leave the banh tet at room temperature without worrying about spoilage. However, you should only consume the cake within 3 days.

Preserving banh tet in the freezer

However, if it starts to get sunny outside and the room temperature rises, banh chung and banh tet spoil and mold more quickly.

Therefore, at this time you should store the cake in the freezer, adjusting the temperature below 3 degrees Celsius for up to 20 days!

Preserving banh tet by vacuum sealing

If possible, you should get a vacuum sealer for your home right away. Because foods when vacuum sealed can be stored for a long time whether kept outside or inside the refrigerator, and of course, banh tet is no exception.

Vacuum sealing the cake not only minimizes the impact of room temperature changes on the cake’s quality but also allows you to keep it for about 7 – 10 days.

If stored in the refrigerator, it can last longer, about 20 days. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about the cake absorbing odors from other foods in the fridge.

4 Some notes when preserving banh chung – banh tet for long-term safe use

Finally, here are some notes when preserving banh chung and banh tet for long-term safe use that TasteVN wants to share with you.

• If you make the cake yourself, before wrapping, you should clean or briefly dip the leaves in boiling water and then let them drain. This way, it helps keep your cake delicious and prevents the outer layer of glutinous rice from collecting dust and bacteria.
• Use clean twine or a clean knife to cut the cake. Because using a cutting tool that has been used before can easily cause other food particles to stick to the cut surface of the cake, which can lead to mold and spoilage.
• Check the cake regularly; if you see signs of mold starting on the outside of the wrapping leaves, you just need to heat it with fire and then wrap it again with plastic wrap for continued storage.
• The cake needs to be boiled thoroughly, and after cooking, remember to use a board to squeeze out all the water, helping the cake to dry, which in turn allows for longer storage.
• Additionally, if you find the glutinous rice part is dry or hard (also known as being re-dried), you can boil the cake again or steam it.

Above is a compilation of how to preserve bánh chưng, bánh tét deliciously throughout the Tet holiday, ensuring safety and preventing spoilage for your family. We hope that this article from TasteVN will be helpful to you. Wishing you always happiness!