Rice is one of the most popular grains in the world. It is the basis of the diet of about 1/3 of the world's population. Therefore, it is worth including rice in your daily diet because it is a tasty and valuable product. That is why it is worth knowing how to store rice properly.
Types of rice and their characteristics
There are wide varieties of rice. It would be challenging to list them all. However, it is worth knowing the division due to the length and colour of the rice. This division is presented below.
Types of rice by grain length
Most often, we divide rice into:
- short-grained
- long grain
- medium grain
Long-grain rice is the most popular. Its grains are narrow and do not stick together when cooked. This rice is used for cooking dishes such as curries or fried rice with toppings. Medium-grain rice is slightly stickier. Therefore, it is perfect for desserts or risotto. Short-grain rice is the most sticky. That's why it can be used to make sushi. It is also great for preparing dishes that are eaten with chopsticks.
Types of rice by colour
Rice is classified according to colour:
- white
- brown
- red
- black
- yellow
In the average kitchen, we often deal with white and brown rice. White rice is devoid of bran, germ, and husk. This rice is cheaper than other varieties. In addition, it cooks quickly and can be stored longer. Brown rice is covered with a layer of bran. This makes it the healthiest variety of rice available. However, brown rice has a shorter shelf life and takes longer to cook.
Why should you include rice in your diet?
Rice is an excellent base for many healthy dishes. You can add a variety of vegetables and other tasty ingredients. Brown rice itself is also precious. It contains, among others, vitamins from groups B and E. Brown rice is also rich in niacin and riboflavin. It is also a rich source of folates. Rice also contains minerals such as fibre, iron, potassium, protein, magnesium, sodium, and phosphorus.
Rice is also an excellent substitute for pasta and potatoes. In addition, it can be a base for dogs for people with diabetes. However, white rice has a high glycaemic index. Rice with the lowest glycaemic index has the lowest glycaemic index. Therefore, it is good to include red, black, and wild in your diet. Brown rice also has a lower glycaemic index than white rice.
How to store rice long term - practical advice
Rice is a product that can be stored for a very long time. White rice has the most extended shelf life because it has the lowest fat content. This is because it is cleaned and polished. Therefore, white rice can be stored for up to two years, not so with brown rice. This rice has a higher fat content so it can be stored for three to six months. Different types of rice also have a shorter shelf life.
How long can you store cooked rice?
Proper storage of rice is essential. Rice can contain bacteria, and you can't get rid of them even by cooking. These bacteria can multiply even in cooked rice. Consuming them may result in health problems. So how do you store rice after cooking? First, rice cannot stand at room temperature or above. Please wait until the rice cools down and then transfer it to a tightly closed container. The best choice is a special vacuum container. Next, solidly sealed cooked rice must be placed in the refrigerator. Remember that such rice can be kept in the fridge for up to two days. Don't risk eating spoiled rice!
How to store rice so that it stays good for as long as possible?
Rice can be purchased in various packages. This product is often sold in small plastic bags in cardboard boxes. Some producers sell rice in paper packages and do not divide it into portions. You can also buy rice by weight in some stores. Regardless of which one you buy, your rice needs to be repackaged when you bring it home. Put the part of the rice you plan to eat shortly into a closed container. It can be a glass or plastic container. It must be made of a material that is safe for health. Such a container should also have a tight lid. It is worth investing in a vacuum container with a special pump. Pouring rice into such a container will ensure that it is stored ideally. If you want to keep rice longer, you also should remove it from the manufacturer's packaging. Then you have to put it into a bag for vacuum packaging. The next step is to use a vacuum food sealer to seal the rice.
Additional pieces of advice
Both rice sealed in a container and vacuum packed must be stored in the right conditions. This product should be stored in a dry and ventilated place. Remember that any amount of moisture can harm the rice. In addition, the rice should be kept away from products with an intense smell. Rice is very absorbent and can absorb unwanted odours quickly. Also, remember to describe the product you packed accurately. It is best to stick a label on the packaging and write the packing date.
Why is it worth vacuum-packing rice?
Since rice has a long shelf life, why vacuum pack it? Many people probably ask this question. However, there are several important reasons for vacuum packing rice. Here they are:
- Moisture will not get into the vacuum-packed rice.
- Vacuum-packed rice is not exposed to oxidation processes.
- Food moths will not get into a well-closed package.
- Vacuum-packed rice will not absorb the smell of other products as quickly as the one that will stay in the packaging from the manufacturer.
- Vacuum packing extends shelf life. So you can buy more of the product at a promotional price and not worry about the expiration date.
- Vacuum-packed products are easier to store. This will keep your pantry tidy.
The rice tips can also be applied to other loose products. In the same way, it is worth storing, among others, pasta, coffee, tea, flour, groats, breakfast cereals, and many others.
How to recognize spoiled rice?
Eating spoiled rice can be dangerous to your health. Therefore, it is essential to know how to recognize spoiled rice.
How do you know that dry rice is not edible?
You can quickly check whether dry rice is still edible. First, check the package for signs of moisture getting inside. If the packaging is wet, there is a good chance that mould has already started to develop in the rice. With brown rice, you may notice some discolouration. They will indicate that the rice has begun to spoil. In addition, brown rice, which is no longer suitable for consumption, has an oily texture. You will feel the difference after touching spoiled brown rice. It also gives off a specific rancid smell.
How do you know when cooked rice is not edible?
Cooked rice has virtually no distinct smell. So it's best to smell it first. If you smell an unpleasant odour, the rice is rotten. Moreover, cooked spoiled rice becomes sticky. You may also notice blue or black areas on spoiled cooked rice. The appearance of such spots means that the rice has become mouldy.
Is vacuum packing rice difficult?
Finally, we will add a few more words about vacuum-packing rice. Repackaging a loose product may seem complicated, but it is not. You only need a few inexpensive accessories to enjoy healthy and fresh rice.
The first thing you will need is a vacuum food sealer. It is a device that will suck the air out of the vacuum package and close it tightly. The second thing is bags for vacuum packaging. These are bags made of health-safe, solid plastic. Once you have these two things at home, everything will go smoothly. All you have to do is put the rice into the bag you bought. Remember to leave space for welding the edges. Then place the rice bag in the vacuum sealer. The device will do the rest of the work for you.
Vacuum packaging in containers is also straightforward. All you need is a container for vacuum packing. It has a hermetically sealed lid with a place for applying a suction pump. You can buy a pump for a vacuum container in a set. When you have such a container, you must put rice in it and suck the air out. Some pumps are electric and suck out excess air on their own. You can also use a manual pump. Then you close the container tightly.
As you can see, it's very simple, and the effect is worth it.
Summary
In this article, we have collected all the information on the long-term storage of rice. There are quite a few, so we will provide a summary to help you remember them.
- There are different types of rice. The most popular are long-grain white rice and brown rice.
- Brown rice is healthier than white. This is because it has many vitamins and minerals in it. It also has a lower glycemic index.
- Rice has a long shelf life. For example, white rice can be stored for up to two years and brown rice for up to six months.
- Cooked rice can only be stored in the refrigerator for two days.
- Rice is best sealed in a vacuum and stored in a dry, ventilated place.
The above tips will help you ensure proper storage of rice. Thanks to them, you will not waste food and will not run the risk of eating spoiled rice.