Tet celebrations are incomplete without gio cha, a traditional dish that is enjoyed across all regions in Vietnam. While many people know where to buy or how to make gio cha, not everyone is aware of the proper storage method to preserve its delicious flavor for up to 10 days. This Tet, if you have excess gio cha at home that you can’t consume, follow these storage tips to ensure it remains tasty and can still be enjoyed after 10 days.
Tightly wrap the gio cha’s head
In colder regions like the North, you can safely store gio cha outside without it spoiling. Simply hang it up high in a cool place away from direct sunlight. However, even when storing it outdoors, it’s important to tightly wrap the gio cha’s head (if it has been cut) to prevent it from darkening and drying out. You can use food wrapping film for this purpose.
If you live in a hot climate, after wrapping the gio cha’s head, it’s recommended to store it in the refrigerated compartment of your refrigerator. The storage period should be between 4 to 6 days. Even if you haven’t used fried gio cha or thit luoc yet, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator’s refrigerated compartment as well.
Refrigerator freezer compartment
The freezer compartment of your refrigerator is always the ideal place to store food. If you place gio cha in this area, it can last for up to 10 days, and if the refrigerator temperature is lower, it can even last for up to 15 days.
To store gio cha in the refrigerator freezer compartment, wrap it in 2 to 3 layers of banana leaves, and then tightly seal it with plastic wrap. Next, place the tightly wrapped gio cha in the freezer compartment for storage. Before consuming, thaw the gio cha in the refrigerated compartment for approximately 8 hours. If you’re in a hurry, you can also thaw it by soaking the frozen gio cha in cool water, which allows you to use it within one hour.
Once gio cha is thawed, it should be consumed entirely and not refrozen.
(Source: Compilation)