Tapioca pudding is a very delicious dessert that a lot of people enjoy due to their creamy and sweet tasting flavor. This pudding is mostly made at home since it’s most grocery stores don’t stock them. However, the ingredients used to make tapioca pudding are widely available. It takes some time prepping and making the pudding. Therefore, most will want to find a way to store them eating at a later date.
What Is Tapioca?
Tapioca isn’t a fruit that grows on trees or a vegetable that grows in the garden. Instead, it’s a starch that’s made from the root of a plant called cassava.
This plant is native to South America, but nowadays, can be found all over the world. The top producer for cassava plants is Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand.
In different parts of the world, the plant is known by different names. In the United States, it’s commonly called cassava, yucca, or tapioca plant. In Asia, it’s known only as cassava.
Once the cassava plants are harvested, their roots are processed and treated to remove toxins. In its final form, it’s made into powder, flakes, sticks, or pearls. Out of all the forms, the tapioca pearls are the most popular and it’s what is used to make tapioca puddings.
With tapioca pudding, storing them in the freezer is perfectly fine. This is due to the structure that the pudding has.
Can You Freeze Tapioca Pudding?
With tapioca pudding, storing them in the freezer is perfectly fine. This is due to the structure that the pudding has.
Most other baked goods, especially pudding that are flour-based, will lose their structure as it thaws.
The other thing that affects most pudding is a loss of flavor. This happens as the pudding thaws. As it thaws, the ice crystal starts to melt and form water droplets. The formation of the droplets will dilute the flavors of the pudding.
However, for tapioca pudding, it doesn’t lose its structure as it thaws. This is due to the lack of flour that’s presented in the tapioca pudding. Flour is what gives the pudding structures, but as it starts to absorbs too much water, the texture will start to change.
With tapioca pudding, the structure stays the same due to the swelling and thickening of the mixture of the tapioca pearls. This means there will not be any loss in flavor when it freezes and when it thaws.
Due to their texture, tapioca pudding can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
How To Freeze Tapioca Pudding
For this sweet and creamy treat, it’s quite simple to freeze it.
To freeze tapioca pudding for later use, follow the simple steps below:
- At room temperature, allow the tapioca pudding to cool down completely.
- Once it’s cooled, place the pudding into an airtight container. Make sure the container is safe for freeze usage.
- Using a cling wrap, cover the surface of the container.
- Place the pudding in the refrigerator for about 3 hours or until it’s completely chilled.
- Using the lid that came with the airtight container, put it on the container and make sure it’s tight. Any air that gets into the container could cause freezer burn to the pudding.
- Label the container with a date and place it into the freezer.
The tapioca pudding stored in the freezer should stay fresh for up to 3 months.
Best Tapioca Pudding Storage Container
When it comes to keeping the tapioca pudding fresh, the container used is very important. The container is what keeps the pudding from getting freezer burn. A good product will keep the pudding fresh for a long time.
Below are the 3 best containers that we recommend for storing tapioca pudding in the freezer:
1. Homemaid Living Premium Airtight Plastic Storage Containers
This airtight container is perfect for storing tapioca pudding in the freezer.
Features:
- 4-Point lock mechanism
- Stackable and easy to store
- Perfect size 10″ x 7″ x 2.25″
This airtight container is not only suitable for freezer usage, but it’s safe for use in the microwave as well. No need to transfer it from one container to another container when you need to thaw them.
With its 4-point locking mechanism, you can be sure the tapioca pudding inside will be kept fresh.
The airtight container is designed so it can be stacked on top of each other. This is great for saving space in the freezer, especially if the freezer is small or space is limited.
Pros:
- Great value for the money
- Safe to be used in freezer, microwave, and dishwasher
- Stackable for easy storage and save space
- Keep tapioca pudding fresh
Cons:
- Available only in a set of 3
2. Igluu Meal Prep Containers
This airtight container from Igluu is a great product that will keep your tapioca pudding or any pudding safe and fresh in the freezer.
Features:
- Divided food storage containers
- Freezer, dishwasher, and microwave safe
- High-quality plastic, BPA- Free
This airtight container feature dividers for portion control. Instead of freezing the entire pudding in one container, you can keep them in portion. This allows you to take just what you need from the freezer and place the rest back in the freezer.
Keep the pudding from getting freezer burn due to the locking tabs all around the container. The seals around the lid are tight that even liquid can be stored in this container.
Pros:
- Great value for the money
- Durable plastic that can be reused many times
- Different sizes of container available
Cons:
- Some lids are a bit flimsy and may break.
3. Plastic Deli Food Storage Freezer Containers
Food storage doesn’t have to be difficult and this airtight container is perfect for storing pudding and other foods in the freezer.
Features:
- Microwave, Freezer, Dishwasher Safe
- Stackable Storage
- Heavy-duty 100% BPA-free polypropylene plastic
This airtight container has a simple design that’s perfect for those who have a lot of food to keep in the freezer. The round design is great for space-saving in the freezer. You can stack them on top of each other or put them side by side.
Pros:
- Large size to store a lot of tapioca pudding
- Can take with you when traveling
- The lid is durable and airtight
Cons
- May arrive broken due to its brittleness. Be sure to check the product thoroughly when it arrives.
How To Defrost Tapioca Pudding
To defrost the tapioca pudding, simply remove the entire container from the freezer and place it on a plate or tray. Place the plate in the refrigerator and let it thaw for about 4-5 hours before consuming it. This is the best method to defrost tapioca pudding as it will retain their texture and flavor once it’s thawed.
It’s also possible to thaw the pudding at room temperature. You can leave it out for a couple of hours and it will thaw completely. However, it’s not recommended as the pudding will become watery as it melts. If you don’t mind the pudding a bit watery, then it should be fine.
Another quick way to defrost pudding quickly is to place them in the microwave. Remove the frozen pudding an place it in a microwave-safe container. Defrost it in the microwave using the “defrost” function for about 1 minute.
Check to see if the pudding is thawed. If some part isn’t thawed, take a fork and poke the pudding and whisk it around. Reheat it for another minute and check the pudding again. Make sure to not heat it in the microwave for too long or it will get dried.
The last method to defrost tapioca pudding quickly is to heat them in a pan. Heat the pan at medium heat and place the frozen pudding in the pan. With a spatula, constantly whisk the pudding around until it begins to thaw. If it seems to get a little dried, add some cream to prevent them from sticking to the pan. Once the tapioca pudding is completely thawed, immediately transfer them to a plate.
Related Questions
What flavor is tapioca pudding?
Tapioca pudding is made with fresh milk, eggs, vanilla, and tapioca pearls. The tapioca itself doesn’t have any flavors on its own. The flavors will be from the other ingredients that are used to make the pudding. Therefore, the flavor will be creamy with a sweet taste to it.
What are the balls in tapioca pudding?
Tapioca balls are sphered shape and translucent in the color that is produced from tapioca. This is a starch that is extracted from the root of the cassava plant. It’s also referred to as tapioca pearl.