The banana leaves are a common addition to Hispanic, Asian, and Caribbean cultures. These leaves have a fresh green color as well as a delicious flavor to the rice. In addition, the greenish color of the leaves adds a colorful appeal to the serving platter. The banana leaves can be purchased from the farmer’s market but have a shelf life of only one to three days. So, if you have to store the banana leaves and keep them fresh, we are sharing some tips with you!
How To Keep Banana Leaves Fresh?
- Freezing
The first method is to freeze the banana leaves because these leaves have a higher moisture content. The freezing helps them retain the moisture in the leaves, so let’s which steps you’ve to follow;
- First of all, you have to clean the banana leaves by removing the damaged and crashed parts but make sure you use a sharp and clean knife
- Once the damaged parts are removed, you have to soak the leaves in water. Soaking them will help reduce the temperature and keeps them alive until you preserve them in the freezer
- The next step is to wrap the banana leaves in the polythene bags but you should enclose the leaves loosely to limit the exposure to cold air and prevents drying out
- Lastly, just put the packed leaves in the freezer and you can keep them in the freezer for over six months
If you have to use the frozen leaves, you have to thaw them for thirty minutes. In addition, you can speed up the thawing process by using warm water or putting them under running water.
- Refrigerating
The second method is to refrigerate the banana leaves but this method only works for seven to ten days. To refrigerate the banana leaves, you have to clean them by washing them. Then, just wrap the leaves in polythene bags and put them in the refrigerator – it will keep them fresh for a week. Also, it’s better to put the leaves in the door to prevent the crushing and folding of the leaves.
- Hot Water
Using hot water is a different method but it’s one of the effective ways of keeping the banana leaves fresh. So, follow the below-mentioned instructions;
- Fill a pot with water and heat it to achieve the boiling stage
- Once the water starts boiling, you’ve to immerse the banana leaves in the pot
- Let the leaves blanch for thirty seconds and the leaves become flexible and soft (don’t exceed this timeline as it can turn the leaves brown)
- Then, just remove the banana leaves with the help of tongs and lay them on a flat surface to dry them out (you can also use tissue or a towel to speed up the drying process)
- Cut down the banana leaves with the help of scissors and put the pieces in a ziplock bag or a plastic bag. Be careful while packing because the leaves should not break
- Lastly, just put leaves in the freezer and thaw them whenever you want
- Newspaper
One of the simplest ways of preserving the freshness of banana leaves is to use a newspaper. For this purpose, you have to wipe clean the banana leaves with the help of a clean cloth. Once the banana leaves are cleaned, put six to eight pieces together and put them in the center of the newspaper (you’ve to leave the space on both sides for folding). Then, fold the left-out newspaper from all sides and use paper clips to clip them. Once the banana leaves are folded in the newspaper, just put them in the refrigerator and use them within a week.
- Steam
The last method that you can try to preserve the banana leaves and keep them fresh is to use steam. For this purpose, you’ve to follow the step-by-step instructions;
- First of all, you’ve to boil water in the large pot
- Once the pot starts releasing steam, you’ve to expose the banana leaves to steam until they become softer
- When the leaves become soft, fold them and put them into a ziplock bag or a plastic bag
- Then, just close the bag and put it in the refrigerator
So, are you ready to store the banana leaves?