A glossy green pile of sticky rice with a slightly wet and sticky texture that implies a sweet and fresh taste to anyone who sees it. Tape ketan, that's what Indonesians call the dish. Fermented sticky rice, also known as tape ketan, is a traditional food made from glutinous rice that has undergone fermentation.
According to Kompas, Tape Ketan existed since the 15th century, when a religious figure named Sunan Gunung Jati married a woman from Yunan named Ong Tien Nio. Sunan Gunung Jati was able to marry the princess after winning a contest held by the Emperor.
Although Ong Tien Nio was a daughter of the emperor. She had a very good personality. In addition, she was also very fond of mingling with the community. Therefore, the female community often gathered to hear stories and learn to cook. ape, made from cassava or sticky rice, was introduced by Princess Ong Tien. At that time, the people of Luragung chose sticky rice as the main ingredient for making tape due to its abundant supply.
Up to this day, tape ketan is still popular among Indonesians because it is often served to guests during Eid celebrations, weddings or cultural events. Although it is identical with certain events, tape ketan can still be enjoyed anytime. This food can be easily found when you visit traditional markets. In Indonesia, tape ketan is a traditional treat from local markets that is relatively cheap. So, anyone can buy it.
Although the price is cheap, tape ketan is very beneficial for our digestion system. According to a scientific article entitled “The Potency of Local Fermented Foods Tape Ketan to Improve the Body's Immune System”, tape ketan contains various probiotics such as Lactobacillus curvatus, L. plantarum, L. fermentum, and Weissella spp which can help improve digestive health. During the fermentation process, tape ketan produces probiotics that can help restore good bacteria in the gut.
According to another article published on the Halodoc. In addition to boosting the immune system, fermented foods such as tape ketan can also reduce the risk of infections such as flu and help recover faster when sick. Fermented foods such as tape are also rich in vitamin C, iron, and zinc. They also contribute to a stronger immune system.
Initially, the glutinous rice is rinsed and soaked in water for three hours.. Glutinous rice needs to be soaked first to speed up the cooking process when it is steamed. After soaking, steam the glutinous rice for 30 minutes. During the steaming process, don't forget to stir so all of the glutinous rice is cooked perfectly. Avoid steaming glutinous rice for too long as it will make the texture too mushy.
After steaming, mix green food coloring and sugar, then let the glutinous rice cool down. When it’s cool, sprinkle two spoons of yeast powder on half a kilo of sticky rice. The final step involves placing the sticky rice in a sealed container and keeping it for 2 to 3 days.
Making sticky rice tape is said to be successful if during the fermentation period the sticky rice releases water. The water produced after this fermentation process tastes fresh, sweet and sour.
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