The difference between Tempeh wrapped in leaves and plastic apart from its appearance

When shopping at the market or in stalls, you will find tempeh wrapped in banana leaves and wrapped in plastic. Well, specifically for tempeh wrapped in banana leaves, it may be difficult to find in modern markets such as supermarkets. Most tempeh wrapped in plastic is more often available.

Actually, tempeh wrapped in leaves and wrapped in plastic is not much different. But there are several aspects that ultimately affect the taste apart from being different in appearance. Which one is good, huh?

Tempeh wrapped in banana leaves has a distinctive aroma and taste compared to tempeh wrapped in plastic

It's the same as eating rice cake wrapped in banana leaves and wrapped in plastic, of course in terms of taste and aroma it will be different. Tempeh wrapped in banana leaves has a more distinctive and delicious aroma and taste than tempeh wrapped in plastic. Banana leaves also contain polyphenols that function as natural antioxidants to fight free radicals. This also applies to tempeh wrapped in other leaves, for example, teak leaves.

Although the aroma and taste are not so distinctive, tempeh wrapped in plastic is considered safer and more hygienic

Tempe contains good bacteria from fermentation which is quite sensitive to other bacterial contamination. Tempe that is wrapped in leaves is at risk of being contaminated with other bacteria from the leaves, so it is necessary to pay close attention to cleanliness. Because if the banana leaves are unhygienic and contaminated with bad bacteria, it will make the tempeh fail to ripen or rot quickly.

Meanwhile, tempe which uses plastic generally comes from more modern tempe producers so that it is kept clean.

There are indeed many fans, but tempeh wrapped in leaves is increasingly difficult to find considering the scarcity of banana leaves

Tempe wrapped in banana leaves is identical to traditional markets, or in small towns where banana leaves are more common. That is why in urban areas it is more common to find tempeh wrapped in plastic, this is due to the lack of land in urban areas that allows banana trees to grow. So, regarding the distribution area of ​​tempe with banana leaf and plastic wrap, it tends to be easy to map.

In conclusion, tempeh wrapped in banana leaves is indeed superior in terms of aroma and taste. But with a note that the leaves used are really hygienic and obtained from places that are not polluted. This does not mean that tempeh wrapped in plastic is not recommended, you know. Both are still delicious and safe to eat as long as you are good at sorting and cooking them.

So, are you the tempeh team wrapped in banana leaves or wrapped in plastic?