STORING UNCOOKED RICE
Once opened, rice should be stored in a cool, dry place in a tightly closed container that keeps out dust, moisture and other contaminants. Try and buy rice that comes with some kind of zip loc fastener. If it doesn’t have this then you can also place the bag in a larger zip loc bag and removing as much air from the bag as possible. If storing for longer periods of time then look for a more solid glass or good quality (food grade) plastic container. If rice isn’t stored properly, it can affect its safety and have an impact on how it tastes. Rice actually needs some air to breathe in order to maintain it’s flavour and texture. This is why the likes of paulownia boxes can be used to allow for air circulation and moisture regulation.
Start by paying attention to the date on the package. If you store it correctly, raw rice can last at least one year. In fact some grains like basmati are better aged and people actually pay a premium for this as it brings out the aroma and flavour. If you can store rice near to certain strong smelling products such as star anise, garlic, bay leaves or a combination or all three as they can act as a natural insect repellent. Pests such as rice weevils (small reddish/brown bugs) love to get into rice and multiply. Storing rice grains in a specially designed container with natural insect repellants or even in a fridge helps prevent their intrusion (see box below).
Finally remember to rotate stock using the older bags of rice first and only freeze rice (see opposite) as a last resort.
STORE UNCOOKED RICE IN A FRIDGE IF IN WARM CLIMATE
If you live in an area where temperatures often go above 25ᵒC then consider putting your containers of rice into your refrigerator. This will greatly extend it’s shelf life and also prevents the growth of mold and bacteria thereby preventing spoilage as it is cool and dark.
! Correctly stored uncooked white rice will almost never expire if stored correctly. Uncooked brown rice however contains oils in the bran layer so it can go rancid more quickly.
Buy grain storage containers from www.yum-asia.com.
- Available in 5 or 10 litres capacities (includes a free 180ml rice measuring cup)
- High quality food safe material with ‘Insect Resist’ compartment.
- Stackable and constructed for perfect grain preservation.
STORING COOKED RICE IN A FRIDGE
As cooked rice is moist, it is a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria. With this in mind, it’s important that you
- Cool your rice fully before preparing it for storage
- Once cool, place your rice in an airtight container or a zipped plastic bag, ensuring that all air is removed before sealing, and put it in the fridge. Do not leave it in room temperature for long.
- Rice kept in a refrigerator will last for 2-3 days maximum.
STORING COOKED RICE IN A FREEZER
You can also freeze cooked rice! If you’ve cooked too much, simply pop it in the freezer and use it in the future for a range of different dishes. This is a great way to reduce food waste. However, as with storing in a refriegerator to do this you must follow a few basic rules:
- Make sure your rice is fully cooled before you freeze it..
- As soon as the rice is completely cold, transfer it into freezer bags and flatten the rice as much as possible so that it can be sealed tightly and easily stored.
- Label/date your rice so you know how long it’s been kept in the freezer. Cooked rice can be frozen safely for up to one month.
REHEATING RICE SAFELY
One of the quickest and most effective ways to reheat rice is in the microwave. Simply place your rice in a microwave-safe bowl, add 1–2 tablespoons of water, and heat in 30-second intervals until piping hot throughout,
If you want to reheat your rice in the oven, preheat it to 160 degrees, spread the rice over a baking tray and break up any clumps. Add 2 tablespoons of water and use foil to cover the rice. Allow 20 minutes for the rice to heat through. Remember to check it’s piping hot before serving.
It is easy to reheat rice in a pan. Simply add the grains to your pan along with 2 tablespoons of water per cup of rice. Cover the pan tightly and cook on a low heat for approximately 5 minutes until you are satisfied that your rice is piping hot.
! NEVER REHEAT RICE IN A RICE COOKER
Rice cooker function temperatures are not consistent to safely do this. For rice ro be heated the temperature must be consistent. Doing so may be dangerous. Instead use a microwave, a pan or an oven using the guidelines above.
KEY POINTS TO REHEATING
Ideally, rice is best served as soon as it has been cooked. However, if that isn’t possible, you can reheat rice as long as you do so safely:
- Cool the rice as quickly as possible, ideally within one hour, and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to reheat it
- Store the rice in the fridge for no more than two days before reheating
- When you reheat rice, make sure it is steaming hot all the way through
- Do not reheat rice more than once
- Don’t reheat rice in a rice cooker as the programme temperatures are not consistent to safely do this.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN YOU EAT RICE COLD?
Cold rice is safe to eat as long as it has been cooked, cooled and stored correctly. Make sure to cool the rice within 1 hour of cooking and keep it refrigerated until you eat it.
CAN YOU EAT RICE COLD THE NEXT DAY?
Yes, you can eat rice cold the next day, but you must allow it to cool properly when it’s been cooked and then refrigerate it until you’re ready to eat it.
CAN YOU EAT RICE UNCOOKED?
It will not taste good and also uncooked rice can cause several health issues, including food poisoning, digestive issues, and abdominal pain. So always cook your rice to ensure it’s safe and delicious.
CAN YOU REHEAT RICE TWICE?
No. You should only ever reheat rice once.
CAN REHEATING RICE CAUSE FOOD POISONING?
If the above steps are not followed, it is best not to reheat the rice. Incorrect storage after cooking can allow Bacillus cereus and other bacterial spores to grow and produce toxins (poisons) that eventually cause food poisoning. It is not the reheating that causes the problem, but the way the rice has been stored before it is reheated.