Storing rice is an art in itself! One of the most significant staple foods consumed worldwide is rice. This is attributable to both its lengthy shelf life and high vitamin and nutritional content on the one hand. Rice is quite popular worldwide, especially when served as a side dish to many different cuisines. So do you know how to store the rice?
If you want to stock up on this type of grain, it is best to find out more about the ideal storage conditions so that the rice stays fresh and edible for as long as possible.
Benefits of good rice storage
When stored properly, this type of grain is ideal for long-term storage. The basic requirement for the long-term storage of rice is a dry storage area.
Because as soon as this tasty food comes into contact with moisture, it can clump together and is therefore inedible. The storage container must also be hermetically sealed. Not only can the grain be protected from moisture, but it is also safe from food moths and insect larvae. In the short term, rice can also be stored in a clay bread box (click here for our article on storing bread ).
If all the requirements are met, uncooked white rice can be stored properly for up to two years and is therefore particularly suitable for creating long-term food supplies as part of crisis management. Brown rice can usually be stored for about a year if stored appropriately. The fact that it only stays fresh about half as long as its white counterpart is due to the oil content in the seedling.
Store your rice in an airtight , dry and dark place . This can be preserved for up to two years .
Container for storing rice
Rice can be stored in various containers, such as jute bags, and glass or plastic cans. It is important that the respective containers are food-safe and do not emit any harmful substances or odors. The closure of the respective container is particularly important for its long shelf life and freshness.
Cans or storage jars should be able to be sealed airtight so that no moisture can penetrate inside. Otherwise, there is a risk that the rice will draw water and spoil.
If you want to buy a whole 20 to 25-kilo sack of rice in the Asia shop, you can leave the grain in the jute sack for storage, provided the sack is stored in a dry, dark room if possible. With a correspondingly cool storage temperature, the rice grains in this sack then remain fluffy and fresh for a long time.
The ideal rice container should have an airtight seal . Incidentally, large rice sacks are already perfect for storing rice properly.
Store the rice in the jar
Anyone who buys rice in the usual household packs of around 250 to 1000 grams should ideally leave it in its original packaging until it is opened. Once the bag has been opened, the rice grains can be transferred to a glass container. This has the advantage that you always have an overview of the available quantity and can ensure that supplies are replenished in good time.
In addition, the glass also makes it easy to see whether food pests have settled in. In this case, the glass and its contents should be disposed of immediately. To be on the safe side in terms of shelf life, it makes sense to put a label on the glass on which the transfer date and the best-before date given on the packaging are noted.
Leave the rice in its original packaging for as long as possible. Only after opening the packaging should you transfer the rice to an airtight glass container .
Store rice in the rice cooker
Especially when preparing rice, it is easy to cook too much. However, since cooked rice can spoil quickly, it should only be kept warm in the rice cooker for a short time and then eaten as soon as possible.
Otherwise, the rice cooker is not an ideal place to store it. It is better to first let the leftover cooked rice cool down in the rice cooker and then store it in an airtight bowl or box in the refrigerator. By the way, here you will find some suitable storage jars. After two days at the latest, the rice should then be heated in the microwave at 65 degrees and eaten immediately.
Tip: Above all, the material of the storage jars is very important!
Storing rice in the rice cooker should only be a very short-term solution . Let the rice cool down here and then store it in a suitable storage container .
Store the rice in the storage tin
Since rice usually has a particularly long shelf life, it is a good idea to always have a supply of it in normal household quantities at home. It is best to leave the grain in its retail packaging until it is used for the first time.
Once this has opened, the rice can also be transferred to storage jars and stored. The condition here is always that it is a food-safe storage jar that can be sealed airtight. Otherwise, the rice may absorb moisture and clump together. However, if you prefer to buy your favorite cereal unpackaged and loose in appropriate shops, you should make sure that the rice contains as little residual moisture as possible.
It is optimal if the residual moisture is less than 12 percent. It is best to take the container in which the fresh rice is to be stored at home with you and fill it up in the store in the well-closable storage jar. Stored dry, you can enjoy the small, white grains for much longer.
In certain organic shops you can buy rice loose and unpackaged . Above all, storage and transport in a high-quality storage tin makes a lot of sense here.
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Differences between raw and cooked rice in storage
While raw rice can be stored in a suitable container, stored in a dry and cool place, for up to two years, cooked rice should be eaten as quickly as possible. As a rule, the cooked product is not suitable for long storage, as it is easily perishable.
Compared to raw rice, cooked rice has a very short shelf life .
Store raw rice
Basically, raw rice is quite uncomplicated in terms of storage. The prerequisite is that the rice is stored in an airtight container in a dry room.
A cool room should be preferred. However, it is not a condition, because high-quality rice usually copes well with temperature fluctuations.
The be-all and end-all are to make sure that the coveted product is of high quality and well-cleaned when you buy it. Because if the rice is already infested with insect larvae when you buy it, these will multiply unhindered and make the rice inedible. The causative agents of botulism, clostridia, multiply in the absence of air and form dangerous neurotoxins, and toxins.
When buying, make sure that the rice is of high quality . This can be stored in a dry and airtight place for a very long time.
Store cooked rice
Cooked rice should be consumed immediately if possible. If there is anything left over, the rest must be put in the fridge as soon as possible. Because the longer the cooked rice is outside the refrigerator, the greater the likelihood that some spores of the so-called Bacillus Cereus, which are often found in the raw rice, will multiply.
While most bacteria are killed by cooking, some bacteria may survive. These bacteria can cause nausea and vomiting.
The cooked rice can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. If there is significantly more cooked rice left over than can be consumed within two days, it is also possible to freeze the rice. For this purpose, it should be packed airtight in freezer bags or a suitable container. Cooked rice can be stored in the freezer for up to six months if you pack it airtight with a vacuum sealer beforehand.
Properly stored, cooked rice can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days without any problems . If there is much more left, you can freeze it. When vacuumed, it can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. By the way, you can also find out about the best quiet mini fridges on this website !
How long does cooked frozen rice last?
If you have overcooked rice, there is no need to throw away the leftovers. The cooked rice can be frozen without any problems. Because rice tends to clump, it’s a good idea to put it in portions in freezer containers. Then it just needs to be stored in the freezer.
To freeze rice, it should only be cooked al dente. This way it has the right consistency when defrosting and is not too soft. Before the rice is filled into portions, it should cool down. Grainy varieties are best for freezing.
Cooked rice will keep in the freezer for up to six months. However, you should not boil the frozen rice in water, but let it thaw at room temperature. It can then be fried, steamed, or heated in a sauce.
Cooked rice should be thawed after freezing, not “recooked”. If you take this to heart, cooked and frozen rice can be preserved for up to 6 months!
Differences in Rice Varieties
Around one hundred thousand rice varieties are said to be on the market worldwide. The decisive factor for the different varieties is not the numerous growing areas, but the respective processing of the small grains, which are divided, for example, according to grain length and degree of processing.
In the case of brown rice, the outermost hull is removed from the rice grains immediately after harvesting, so that the germ remains intact. The so-called aleurone layer and fine silver skin are also preserved. Since the germ in particular is said to be rich in ingredients, whole-grain rice is considered to be particularly nutritious.
To make white rice, the grains are processed by removing germs and skins. Whether white or whole grain rice – the small grains are usually offered in the trade in the categories round, long grain, or medium grain rice. These rice varieties differ in size and volume, as well as in their respective cooking properties.
While short-grain rice swells up a lot during cooking, making it particularly creamy, long-grain and medium-grain rice remain grainy in consistency. There are also numerous rice specialties such as wild rice, jasmine rice, and basmati rice.
The slightly fragrant, long-grain rice variety is still grown exclusively in Pakistan and India. Also popular is the Japanese mochi rice, which is best known in this country under the name sushi rice. This sweet type of rice is not only used for sushi in Japan, but also for rice cakes and desserts.
Green spelled is also a popular choice as a local alternative to traditional rice. Since it is prepared in a similar way to rice, this semi-ripe spelled grain is also nicknamed “Badischer Reis”.
There are many different types of rice . Depending on their properties (size/circumference/co.), they should be stored differently.
Save sushi rice
Since sushi rice is prepared with vinegar, it has a much longer shelf life than other types of rice. For example, it can be stored in an airtight glass bowl in the refrigerator for up to three months. However, the consistency suffers the longer the sushi rice is in the fridge. The rice becomes sticky after just a few days, which significantly affects the taste.
Stored airtight in the refrigerator, sushi rice can be kept for up to 3 months .
Save the basmati rice
Like all types of rice, fine Basmati rice should be eaten immediately after preparation. If there is still a residue, you should let the basmati cool down completely before it can be stored in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator.
It stays there for about two days. Basmati rice is also good for freezing. If a large amount of the delicacy is left over, portions of the rice can be transferred to freezer bags. The pre-cooked rice stays fresh for a few months in the freezer. It should be thawed at room temperature.
Frozen basmati tastes best when it is not cooked after defrosting, but only heated with steam.
Cooked basmati rice lasts about 2 days in the refrigerator. However, you can also freeze it if needed. It can be stored this way for several months.
Reserve the cauliflower rice
Cauliflower rice actually has nothing in common with the well-known grain product rice. However, cauliflower processed in the form of rice is becoming increasingly popular as a low-calorie rice substitute.
To make rice grains from the cabbage, the cauliflower is broken up into florets and processed in a blender. The resulting cauliflower rice grains can be stored in the refrigerator for two to three days in their raw state. Unlike regular rice, cauliflower rice is not cooked or it will break down.
It is briefly fried or roasted in a raw state in a pan. Cauliflower rice can be safely frozen both raw and prepared.
Cauliflower rice can be frozen without hesitation and stored for quite a long time.
FAQ – on rice storage
Why not reheat rice?
Cooked rice left open in the kitchen is a veritable breeding ground for bacteria. These can then no longer be completely killed off during warm-up. Eating warmed rice can lead to serious stomach problems such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
What happens when cooked rice goes bad?
If cooked rice is kept at room temperature, it can become infected with bacteria. These can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cooked rice should be consumed within two days to avoid such side effects. So that rice can be consumed longer, it should definitely be stored in the refrigerator in a plastic box.
When the rice has gone bad, the main way to tell is by a funny and unpleasant smell. He also changes his appearance. The individual grains of rice are no longer recognizable as such: instead, they appear slimy and sticky. Mold can also develop on bad rice. In this case, you should also stop smelling the rice, as the mold could get into your nose and thus into your body.
Eating bad rice should be avoided at all costs, as the body absorbs mycotoxins that can lead to food poisoning. This can manifest as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Mold can produce a carcinogenic toxin called aflatoxin.
Can rice expire?
When properly stored, rice has a shelf life of at least two years. Since the dry grain usually rarely goes bad, it does not have to be provided with a best-before date. The product can usually be consumed without hesitation for well over two years.
When does rice go moldy?
Wrong storage, especially if it is too moist, can lead to the formation of mold in rice. As a rule, this does not spread over the entire rice but is distributed in the form of small mold nests.
Can you freeze cooked rice?
Cooked rice freezes excellently. Packed in airtight freezer bags, it stays fresh for a long time in the freezer.
How long does vacuum-packed rice last?
Vacuum-packed rice will keep at room temperature for about 12 months longer than bulk conventionally packed rice. The shelf life can even be doubled when frozen.
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