Coconut cream has become an integral part of many cuisines, especially in Indonesia. The rich aroma and flavor of coconut cream gives a special touch to dishes.
Coconut cream itself contains fat, which can be an ideal medium for the growth of bacteria and mold. Fat provides nutrients for microorganisms, which can lead to faster spoilage. Therefore, it is important to understand that coconut cream foods need special handling to maintain their freshness. Here are some tips that can help to prevent coconut cream foods from spoiling quickly.
- Use airtight containers
Coconut cream is also susceptible to oxidation, a chemical process that can alter the flavor and aroma of food. Contact with air can accelerate oxidation, especially if the food is not stored properly. The use of airtight containers or vacuum packaging can help solve this problem. When storing coconut cream foods, also pay attention to the surroundings. Coconut cream should be stored away from strong-smelling foods such as fish, cheese, meat, and yoghurt because coconut cream absorbs the smell and taste of other foods in close proximity.
- Pay attention to the cooking method
Any dish that contains coconut cream should be cooked until fully cooked. When cooking with coconut cream, the cooking vessel should not be covered with a lid. This is because water vapor will drip into the coconut cream dish, making it easier for the food to spoil. Once cooked, turn off the heat. Let the dish sit until the heat is gone and then cover it.
- Don’t leave the foods in the refrigerator for too long
Although the refrigerator slows down the spoilage process, it cannot prevent it completely. Instead, consume coconut cream foods within a reasonable time and avoid keeping them in the refrigerator for too long.
- Reheat coconut cream foods before eating.
Coconut cream dishes can last longer to be consumed by warming them before eating again. Warming coconut cream dishes will make the existing bacteria die and avoid stale in the future. In the process of warming the dish, just use low heat and do not need to stir too often. Warm until boiling, then enjoy the food while warm.
- Do not stir coconut cream after heating
Avoid stirring coconut cream dishes that have been cooked and when the stove flame has been turned off. Stirring cold coconut cream dishes causes air containing bacteria to easily enter the dish and cause the dish to spoil quickly. If you do have to stir coconut cream food, you can do so by putting the food back on the hot stove.
By understanding the factors that cause coconut cream food to spoil quickly, we can take preventive measures to be able to continue enjoying the deliciousness of coconut cream food without worrying about freshness issues. Don’t forget to also use MamaKoKo coconut cream to make Mom’s cooking taste more delicious.
