Brilio.net - Until now, banana leaves are still widely used as food wrappers, especially for traditional foods such as lemper, urap-urap, pepes, lontong, and various market snacks. In addition to being sturdy, banana leaves also provide a distinctive aroma and taste to the food wrapped in them.
To get sturdy banana leaves, people usually choose young banana leaves because they tend to be flexible and not easily torn. However, getting young banana leaves can be quite difficult.
Therefore, many people use old banana leaves even though the texture tends to be dry and easy to tear. Old banana leaves are generally wider and cheaper, so they are more commonly found on the market.
As mentioned, old banana leaves have a stiff texture and are easily torn. If used directly, the results can be imperfect in wrapping food. Therefore, many people flex these banana leaves in various ways.
One of the most common ways to soften banana leaves is by drying them in the sun. Sunlight can change the texture of banana leaves to be more flexible and not easily torn. But this method tends to take a long time.
Instead, there are also people who choose to burn banana leaves. So the banana leaves will be heated on the stove until the color turns bright green. In addition to burning, there are also those who choose to steam the banana leaves so that the texture becomes flexible.
Some of these methods are indeed effective. But sometimes, some people say that these methods tend to be troublesome. If not burned carefully, banana leaves can actually burn. While if steamed, the texture can be wet and make the wrapped food not durable.
But don't worry, there is another trick that can be done if you want to bend banana leaves. This trick was once shared by TikTok user @dapureumoni. Through one of the videos uploaded, he admitted that the trick that is usually done tends to be faster and safer.
As reported by BrilioFood on Saturday (28/9), TikTok user @dapureumoni chose to use an iron. So, first prepare the banana leaves that will be used. It is better if the banana leaves have been cut into pieces so that they are easier to bend.
Meanwhile, heat the iron. Then prepare a thick cloth base and place the banana leaf on top. When the iron is hot, rub it directly on the banana leaf evenly.
photo: TikTok/@dapureumoni
The hot temperature of the iron will make the banana leaves turn bright green. In addition, the hot temperature also makes the stiff texture of the banana leaves more flexible. Now, do this process on both sides of the banana leaf.
photo: TikTok/@dapureumoni
Now, the flexible banana leaves are ready to be used. In the video, TikTok user @dapureumoni wants to use it to wrap lontong. Even though it has been rolled and folded, the banana leaves do not break or tear. Very effective, right?
photo: TikTok/@dapureumoni