How to deal with bika ambon that hardens after coming out of the refrigerator

foto ilustrasi: TikTok/@nickytirta; Instagram/@nataliaongko

Also know why bika ambon can harden when put in the refrigerator.

Brilio.net - Recently, the culinary world on social media has been abuzz with debates surrounding the bika ambon review conducted by Tasyi Athasyia. In her review, Tasyi criticized the texture of the bika ambon which was considered too hard. However, this criticism sparked controversy after it was discovered that the bika ambon had been stored in the refrigerator before being reviewed. This was then highlighted by chef and actor Nicky Tirta, who discussed that storing bika ambon at cold temperatures can indeed change its texture.

The debate became even more heated when Tasyi felt offended and allegedly reported Nicky Tirta to the authorities . This case also became a hot topic among culinary lovers. Behind this controversy, there is an important lesson that can be learned, namely understanding how storage affects the texture of food, including bika ambon.

In fact, storing bika ambon in the refrigerator will indeed make it hard. This is not because the quality of the bika ambon is bad, but rather due to the natural properties of the ingredients. However, don't worry! There are several easy ways to restore the softness of bika ambon after taking it out of the refrigerator.

Bika Ambon contains ingredients such as coconut milk, butter, and flour that have fat and starch properties. When cooled, the fat will harden, and the starch undergoes a retrogradation process, which is the formation of a denser crystal structure due to low temperatures. This also happens to rice that is stored in the refrigerator, which makes it harder than when it is freshly cooked.

So, if you want to enjoy bika ambon with a texture that remains soft, it is important to understand how to store it and how to reheat it properly.

How to deal with bika ambon that hardens after coming out of the refrigerator
illustration photo: Instagram/@nataliaongko

If the bika ambon has hardened after being removed from the refrigerator, here are some methods that can be used to return it to its original texture:

1. Steam again

Steam the bika ambon for 5-10 minutes over low heat so that the texture becomes soft again without changing the taste.

2. Heated with a microwave

Place the bika ambon on a plate, then heat it in the microwave for 10-20 seconds to make it soft again.

3. Leave it at room temperature

If you're not in a hurry, let the Bika Ambon sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes so that it slowly returns to softness.

Storing bika ambon in the refrigerator can indeed extend its shelf life, but the consequence is a change in texture. Even according to Indonesian culinary expert, Fatimah Bahalawan, although hardened bika ambon can be steamed again, its texture will not return to its original state.

"Even then, it will not return to its original texture exactly because there is a starch retrogradation process, just like storing rice in the refrigerator overnight. Then we take it out and steam it again, it will not be exactly the same as freshly cooked rice," he said.

According to Fatimah, even though bika ambon seems to have the same texture as before it was put in the refrigerator, it is still not exactly the same. That way, consuming bika ambon feels a little different. In the future, it is necessary to pay attention to the right way to store food so as not to change the texture and taste.

(brl/tin)